By Jel Santos
Over P1 billion assistance has been distributed by the local government unit (LGU) of Makati City to qualified residents through electronic money (e-money), Mayor Abigail "Abby" Binay announced on Saturday.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay (My Makati / MANILA BULLETIN)
Binay said the city government has released a total of P1,035,810,000 in financial aid in just two weeks.
Such is under the P2.7-billion Makatizen Economic Relief Program (MERP) that grants P5,000 for each qualified individual.
The more than P1 billion aid has been transferred to 207,162 beneficiaries via G-Cash after the MERP was rolled out.
According to the mayor, many residents have taken the initiative to grow the P5, 000 aid they received by putting up small businesses.
“Several recipients of our cash aid have shared inspiring stories on how they were able to use it to start a small business, with the goal of making it a stable means of livelihood to support their families for the long term," she said.
"We are so glad that the entrepreneurial spirit is very much alive among our constituents. It shows hope, courage and resilience in the face of adversity,” Binay added.
To qualify as a beneficiary of MERP, the Makati LGU said one must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Makati or any of the relocation sites managed by the city government of Makati in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan and Calauan, Laguna.
One must also be registered either as a Makatizen Cardholder, or as a Yellow Cardholder under the Makati Health Program, or as a voter in Makati City, it added.
Since the start of the community quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic, the city government has been providing financial aid and food packs to residents, as well as delivering medicines to senior citizens.