Makati City offers free college, post-graduate education to seniors
By ANNA LIZA V. ALAVAREN
Education knows no age in Makati. Senior citizens who wish to pursue a college or master’s degree can do so for free, courtesy of the local government.
Based on a city ordinance passed by the City Council, Makati residents who are 70 years old and above and who wish to enroll in college or graduate school, in any course of their choice, will be admitted as scholars and shall be exempted from paying tuition at the city-run University of Makati (UMak).
Makati Mayor Abigail Binay said that the city government wanted to help the city’s elderly residents fulfil their dream of earning college or higher education degrees.
“We were inspired by two senior Makatizens who graduated from our local senior high school and university this year. Through these new legislations, we aim to acknowledge their contributions to society and encourage them to pursue higher education,” Binay, a lawyer and daughter of former Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, said.
The younger Binay was referring to Armando Buhay Albes, Sr., a 78-year old resident of barangay West Rembo, who finished his degree in A.B. Political Science major in Local Government Administration at UMak, and 79-year old Salvacion Flores Nacario, also a West Rembo resident, who graduated from junior high school at Fort Bonifacio High School.
“They are the pride of Makati and they serve as an inspiration to many, young and old. In turn, we will support them in achieving their dreams,” Mayor Binay underscored.
Under City Ordinance No. 2017-063, enrolees must comply with additional minimum requirements, including passing the entrance examination, submission of a certificate of good moral character, transcript of records, among others
The University of Makati, together with the Makati Social Welfare Department, City Legal Department and City Budget, will be coming up with the implementing rules for the said ordinance.