Makati LGU relaunches free movie program for Makatizen senior citizens

The Makati City local government has relaunched its free movie program for the city's senior citizens on Thursday, June 1. The launch was held in Glorietta 4 and was attended by Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Makati City 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos, and officials from Ayala Malls. "The past years have been challenging for everyone, particularly our senior citizens who were among the most vulnerable during the health crisis. By reinstating this initiative, we aim to provide them with a much-needed avenue for entertainment, joy, and social engagement," Binay said. According to her, the program's revival enables the city's elderly who are BLU card members and Makatizen Virtual Card holders, to watch movies again for free in Glorietta, Greenbelt, and Circuit Makati, three times a day for the first and second screenings. Aside from giving them additional entertainment and leisure, the free movies program also promotes social engagement and a sense of community among Makatizen seniors. The mayor, who is an advocate of improving the lives of her constituents, especially the elderly, said the service enhances the quality of life of Makatizen seniors and contributes to their overall well-being. The city government previously stopped the free movie program at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the minimum public health standards imposed by the national government to mitigate the spread of the virus. The free movie program was made possible through the passage of City Ordinance No. 97-085. It was institutionalized in 2001 by allocating funds from the city's annual budget for the implementation of the program. Binay said the city plans to include persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the program this year and expand the number of cinema partners to include Power Plant Mall and Walter Mart. The mayor also said Blu Card holders will receive their mid-year cash gift this month which will be sent directly to their GCash accounts. Under the Blu Card program, registered senior citizens, 60 to 69 years old, are eligible for P3,000, distributed in two equal installments in June and December. Those who are 70 to 79years old will receive P4,000, while individuals between 80 and 89 years old will get P5,000 each year, also in two tranches. In 2019, the City Council approved City Ordinance No. 2019-A-023, which grants P10,000 to Blu cardholders who are  90 to 99, as well as those who are 101 years and older. Since 2012, Makati has given P100,000 to qualified residents who have reached 100 years of age.