Makati today: Opening new possibilities for a brighter future

MANILA, Philippines - Within a year of taking office, Makati Mayor Abby Binay championed urgent reforms and measures to ensure that every level of the local government unit promotes lawful, equitable and clean governance in the areas of education, health, peace and order, social services and the business sector. “Rest assured, I shall lead with honesty, with integrity and with a vision that puts Makati and our Makatizens first,” Mayor Abby pledged. Under the sacred mandate given by the people who overwhelmingly elected her, Mayor Abby envisions a bright future for Makati City — a bustling 21st century metropolis that is proudly at par with other cities around the globe.

Future-proof Education

Ensuring that education remains accessible and highly relevant in all levels, the city government has allotted P4 billion to fund programs and services that will be implemented across the city’s public schools. Public school children in Makati, both residents (Makatizens) and non-residents, continue to enjoy free school supplies, books, uniforms, and other miscellaneous needs. School facilities are also upgraded, made future-proof by strengthening Internet connectivity in campuses so that today’s students will receive cutting edge, relevant and world-class education. “We want to make sure that students of public schools would possess skills tailor-fit to the demands of the job market, including Makati-based companies and establishments,” says Mayor Abby.

To make this a reality, the Mayor has asked officials of the University of Makati (UMak) to study the possibility of opening two new courses to address the need for more social workers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The university has long held a proven track record in consistently producing board top-notchers and posting impressive passing rates during licensure examinations.

Innovations in the health sector

In the health sector, the city-run Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) is prioritizing the replenishment of hospital supplies to address shortages and restore laboratory services. To cut down long lines and shorten the waiting time at the registration area, a bar code system is in place for old patients while a computerized self-registration kiosk is available for new patients. There is even a discharge lounge to ease the admission of incoming patients and reduce overcrowding at the emergency room. Free transport services are provided to patients for discharge who are unable to walk (non-ambulatory).

To widen the reach of medical care, the city government aims to establish 24/7 health centers – two for each district – so that Makatizens can access primary health care services even in the wee hours or on weekends. Other plans include the rehabilitation of medical and health care facilities and intensified awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS.

Social services for Makatizens

As one of the cornerstones of her brand of public service, Mayor Abby has made it simpler and easier for Makatizens to access basic social services. City Hall has brought government services directly to the people through the Makati Lingkod Bayan Caravan that was launched last August. Around 15,000 Makatizens in 18 barangays received a variety of free services; free medical consultations, prescription medicines and diagnostic services, dental services, civil registry services, and legal services. Residents were also given free reading glasses, dentures, haircut and massage; youths got free books, toys and nutritious meals. Meanwhile 2,000 pet dogs and cats were administered with free anti-rabies shots. Frontline offices also processed applications for the Yellow Card, PhilHealth ng Masa, Solo Parent Card, PWD Card, and BLU Card.

The validity of the Yellow Card was also extended to three years so that beneficiaries can continuously enjoy free medical consultations, hospitalization services, and free medicines — including maintenance drugs for hypertension, diabetes and other lifestyle diseases.

Over 75,000 senior citizen BLU Card holders have been granted a P1,000 increase on their annual P3,000-P5,000 cash gift, aside from a P3,000 burial assistance to qualified beneficiaries of a deceased member. Soon, a unified ID system under the “Makatizen Card” will give instant access and consolidate all health and social benefits for residents and city hall employees.

Efficient tax collection and traffic management

To ensure Makati’s long-term viability as an investment destination, Mayor Abby has assured that the city will not increase taxes. “I can assure you that your city government will continue extending quality services by means of good governance, proper fiscal management, and efficient collection, without increasing taxes,” she said. For the convenience of taxpayers, all frontline offices involved in tax payment and renewal of business permits are now located at the ground floor of Makati City Hall Building II, with waiting areas and special lanes for senior citizens and PWDs. Thanks to innovative reforms like enhanced systems and operations at City Hall, revenue collections increased by 14 percent last December. As of April this year, collections reached P10.2 billion, 70 percent of the full-year revenue target of P14.5 billion.

Restoring order and discipline on the streets, the city government has cleared hundreds of streets and sidewalks of vendors, illegally parked vehicles, and various obstructions. Strict implementation of the Traffic Code resulted in apprehending 63,000 traffic violators. There are also proposals at the City Council to raise the penalties for traffic violations that endanger the public. Public safety personnel are currently undergoing intensive retraining and active steps are being taken to improve traffic management in the city, such as the procurement of new, smarter uniforms and accessories, including lapel cameras for traffic enforcers. The city continues to maintain a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on illegal drugs, and has given its full support to the Makati police in conducting its awareness campaign in barangays and villages of the city.

PPP: The way forward

Mayor Abby has expressed her strong support for the PPP (public-private partnership) approach to development. Aiming to make Makati the “trailblazer in PPP”, Mayor Abby says Makatizens can look forward to more PPP programs, particularly in information technology, communication, transportation and delivery of basic services. “PPP is an essential part of the overall infrastructure reform policy of the city government of Makati,” she said. It can be recalled that in the 1990’s the city used the PPP model to efficiently regulate the “jolly-jeeps” that catered to employees in Makati establishments. The UMak was also the first LGU-run educational institution in the country to utilize a dual education system by partnering with private companies and industries. Recently, the city government forged an agreement with a Chinese realty developer to conduct a feasibility study, at no cost to the city, on a major mass housing project through a PPP venture that may address the shelter needs of over 5,200 informal settler families in the city. “PPP has allowed the city to engage experts in various fields as its partners in programs and activities, thereby ensuring efficiency in management and operations. PPP will definitely play an important role in helping us carry out our commitment to embrace technology in every facet of governance, not only to make public services more efficient and accessible, but also to promote transparency and accountability,” Mayor Abby assured.