Makati allots P441 million for elderly services

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City government has earmarked P440.9 million in this year’s budget to provide services to its 85,000 elderly residents.

The funds will be spent on the Blu Card or social services subsidy program, the city government said in a statement.

The allocations are broken down into P331.7 million for senior citizens’ cash gifts and one-time cash gifts for residents who would reach 100 years old; P43 million for free movies; P44.2 million for free cakes; P3.8 million for excursions; P6 million for cultural and theater shows; P985,000 for free salon and spa services and P6 million for burial assistance.

 The city government has been giving out cash gifts to senior citizens: P3,000 for those aged 60 to 69; P4,000 for those aged 70 to 79; and P5,000 for those aged 80 to 89.

 It has also been planning to hand out P10,000 for seniors aged 90 to 99, with the approval of the city council.

 The budget is almost one-third of almost P1.37 billion that the city government has allotted to fund its social welfare programs.

 The services under the Blu Card program “are over and above the quality healthcare the city is providing elderly residents of Makati, as well as opportunities for personal growth and livelihood,” Mayor Abby Binay said.