Making technology work for the people
MANILA, Philippines — “By employing technology to create a digital community of Makati citizens — or Makatizens — we aim to remove the traditional bureaucratic boundaries between government and the people. Between us — the public servants — and the public we serve,” the mayor said during a National Governance Forum organized by the University of Makati, a city-run university.
Looking back at the city government’s learnings from using social media to interact with citizens, the mayor is enthusiastic.
“Our experience shows the untapped potential of technology in general, and social media in particular, in creating meaningful conversations between government and its citizens, in getting things done,” she said.
Mayor Abby’s technology push is anchored on sustaining the city government’s long-standing policy of tapping the private sector through Public Private Partnership or PPP projects.
Last year, in time for the city’s Foundation Day, the city government signed PPP agreements with the country’s major telecommunication companies.
One PPP venture provides for the release of Makatizen Cards for residents. The multi-purpose identification card may be used for government transactions and purchases.
Makati has also partnered with another company for the Makatizen Mobile App. Through their mobile phones, citizens can receive city advisories and announcements, access information on services, book shuttle service rides, and shop.
Even as the city leadership pursues its digital agenda, key programs continue to be expanded for the benefit of citizens.
For our children
Last year, Makati set social media abuzz when proud students posted photos of their pair of rubber shoes given by the city government to over 90,000 students from kinder to senior high school. Netizens dubbed the shoes “Air Binay.”
“We want to support their education in every way possible so it will not be burdensome for them and their families. All we ask of them is to value this privilege and study well,” Mayor Abby said.
The equalizing value of education is a concept familiar to Makati residents, who embrace it regardless of age.
After the City Council enacted ordinances granting scholarships to seniors who enroll at the University of Makati, two elderly residents -Remedios Sta. Ana, 84 of Brgy. South Cembo, and Teresa Jacinto, 65 of Brgy. Pinagkaisahan - graduated from the university this year after completing a program on governance.
The university, the country’s first ISO-certified local university, has also opened its School of Law, offering full scholarship to qualified applicants including non-residents. The university also established the nation’s first DRRM Academy envisioned by the Mayor to be the ultimate training hub for disaster risk reduction and management in the Asean region.
First in Southeast Asia
Makati is also a strong advocate of animal welfare and rabies-free communities.
It holds the distinction of being the first local government unit in Southeast Asia to implement a citywide pet microchipping program which will cover up to five pets per Makati resident for free.
To date, the city has microchipped 362 pets and vaccinated over 21,000 cats and dogs against rabies.
Modern Eye Care
Following its opening in July last year, the new Ospital ng Makati Eye Center now serves an average of 1,000 patients monthly, providing quality ophthalmic services with its modern equipment and highly qualified eye specialists.
Honoring our senior citizens
Mayor Abby recently awarded P100,000 cash gift to the 46th and 47th centenarians honored by the city since 2012.
Some 80,000 registered senior citizens continue to enjoy cash gifts, free admission to cinemas, free birthday cakes, free medicines and medical services, among other perks.
Services at citizens’ doorsteps
From January to March, close to 11,000 residents in six barangays were served by the Lingkod Bayan Caravan.
This May, the city launched the Baby Makatizen Program to promote timely birth registration and proper prenatal care.
The city has allocated 10,300 Baby Makatizen bags for distribution to qualified beneficiaries this year. Each bag contains a set of onesies, one toy rattle, one pack of baby wipes, and 30 pieces of disposable diapers for baby.
Ready to respond
The city government recently acquired modern equipment to enhance its disaster response capabilities.
These include, among others, mobile command vehicles, an advanced mobile emergency communication vehicle, aerial fire ladder truck, super tanker, chemical fire trucks, rescue trucks, USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) trailers, rescue boats, mobile kitchens, ambulances, mobile clinics, and mobile fire suppression units.
Public schools were also given Emergency Go Bags aside from individually-packed Go Bags for students and teachers. A “go bag” is a portable survival kit which contains essentials such as food and drinking water, hygiene kit, first aid kit, and flashlight.
Budget priorities for 2018
Health, education and social welfare services remain the top priorities of the administration of Mayor Abby.
This year, these sectors received a combined budget allocation of P8.4 billion. The said amount is 4.4 percent higher than last year’s, and takes up almost half of the city’s total budget for the year.
Health has the biggest budget with almost P4.1 billion, followed by Education with P2.8 billion, and Social Welfare with P1.5 billion. The said amounts cover expenditures for regular programs and new initiatives, personal services, maintenance and other operating expenses, financial expenses, and capital outlay.
Makatizen Card roll out
The city is on track in distributing and activating Makatizen Cards for residents.
To date, data capture has been done on 120,000 residents and 25,000 have been validated and cleared for card printing. Around 10,000 Makatizen Cards have been released to residents and activated.
Recently, the city opened 31 payment centers to serve Makatizen cardholders right in their own barangays.
Called @urSerBis Bayad Centers, they are located in 28 barangay halls, at the Ospital ng Makati, University of Makati, and Makati City Hall. Makatizen cardholders can pay their bills for utilities and other fees and do other transactions, including prepaid loading and e-money loading for their GCash accounts.
Makati, says the mayor, is just warming up in its push to make Makati a Smart City.
Part of her vision is to bring education in Makati up to speed with the latest innovations in technology.
“The workplaces are driven by technology, and my goal is to make each Makati student conversant with the language of technology, and adept with the tools of technology,” she said.
Mayor Abby is also determined to use technology to make more public services accessible online and within reach at the tap of a keypad.
“Our goal is to allow electronic, on-line payments through the internet for realty taxes, local business taxes and other fees,” said the mayor.
What drives Mayor Abby to make a major leap into the evolving world of technology are the citizens of Makati.
“Our ultimate goal is to empower every citizen of Makati so they can experience a better quality of life. We are revolutionizing the way government works so our Makatizens can enjoy the services and benefits they deserve as taxpayers. We are embracing technology to ensure a better and more secure future for the next generation,” she said.