Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Equity card issuance problems resolved: CSO

Equity card issuance problems resolved: CSO

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
People have received assistance from the programme in 2022 showing their benefits cards. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Equity card issuance problems resolved: CSO

A civil society official claimed that there were complications in providing equity cards in some villages and communes related to some elderly people who should be receiving cash support from the government.

Tum Vira, executive director of HelpAge Cambodia, said there were many challenges with issuing the equity cards as some elderly people did not understand the process and thought there was no expiry date for the cards.

“Sometimes the elderly tried to use expired cards, which commune authorities could not accept,” he said.

“We think the problem in some villages and communes – but not many – is related to the registration of elderly people for equity cards. We have observed that some departments and local village and commune authorities seemingly do not want to register them as they are afraid their village or commune has too many poor people,” he said.

“After identifying this problem, we invited the Ministry of Planning, which is in charge of equity cards, to address it. I don’t think there are any other issues,” he added.

According to Touch Channy, head of the ministry’s General Department of Technical Affairs, more than 700,000 poor and vulnerable households have received equity cards, including more than 360,000 elderly people. There were some challenges, as this work requires cooperation between national and sub-national officials.

“The issues at the sub-national level’s issues are related to local authorities, commune councils and village chiefs, as some village chiefs do not have a clear understanding of the process,” he added.

According to a 2021 report by the National Institute of Social Affairs, titled “Income of the Elderly and Social Protection in Cambodia during and after the Covid-19 pandemic”, around 55 per cent of the surveyed elderly claimed to have been financially impacted by the pandemic and that their basic living costs were not supported, although 45 per cent of them received cash transfers from the government.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former