Makati City Mayor Abby Binay highlighted the city government's achievement in addressing children’s concerns in her State of the Children Address on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
In her speech, Binay cited the programs and projects the city government has implemented this year.
"Sa lahat ng mga pagsisikap namin, kayong mga kabataan ang unang konsiderasyon, ang inyong kapakanan at kinabukasan ang lagi naming iniisip. Makakaasa kayo na hindi namin kayo pababayaan ano man ang krisis na dumating (In all our efforts, you young people are our first consideration, we always think of your welfare and future. You can count on us not to abandon you no matter what crisis comes),” she said.
"Sisikapin ko na bigyan kayo ng equal na oportunidad para maging maunlad, responsable at huwarang mamamayan (I will try my best to give you equal opportunity to become a prosperous, responsible, and exemplary citizen),” she added.
The city mayor cited the free pre-and post-natal care services, free newborn screening services, distribution of baby Makatizen bags, and registration of over 4,023 babies in the city.
A total of 13,702 children have also been vaccinated against common childhood diseases in the city. Of these, 4,320 are fully immunized, 1,440 are completely immunized, and 7,942 are zero to 23 months old babies.
The city also vaccinated over 73,000 children against Covid-19 in its Bakuna Makati program.
In October, Binay said the city achieved a 100 percent enrollment rate where 78,450 students are enrolled in the current school year.
Some students were also given free school supplies, bags, and rubber shoes.
Binay also noted the establishment of the Makati City Library and the community complexes in seven barangays.
Programs for the youth were also held such as “Guhit Kalikasan,” an inter-barangay Mobile Legends tournament, as well as a leadership camp.
The city mayor also assured the continued campaign against illegal drugs in the city.
The Makati Social and Welfare Department is also training social workers and child rescuers to ensure the safety of the youth who are in conflict situations.
The Social Development Center and Makati Youth Homes are where they are given proper interventions such as learning sessions about life skills, resiliency, management, and behavior modifications.
Binay also said that one of the top priorities of the city government is to address climate change as well as to take steps in being resilient and sustainable.
”Kailangan na nating kumilos lahat para mabawasan ang perwisyong dala ng bagyo at baha na ayon sa mga experto na sanhi ng global warming (We all need to act to reduce the damage caused by typhoons and floods which experts say is due to global warming),” she said.
The Makati city government is targeting to install solar panels in 2023 to save on electricity and help reduce greenhouse gas commissions.