The Makati City local government on Tuesday, Jan. 2, announced that BLU Cards issued to residents of the 10 EMBO Barangays will no longer be valid starting Jan. 1.
"Alinsunod sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema, ikinalulungkot naming ipaalam sa ating mga seniors mula sa 10 EMBO barangays na BLU cardholders na simula Jan. 1, 2024 ay wala ng bisa ang inyong BLU Card (In accordance with the Supreme Court's decision, we regret to inform you that starting Jan. 1, 2024, BLU Cards belonging to senior citizen residents of the 10 EMBO barangays will no longer be valid)," the city government said.
However, it added that BLU Cards may still be used as a valid ID and debit card.
The local government unit (LGU) had earlier said YELLOW Cards of residents living in the 10 EMBO barangays will also no longer be valid starting Jan. 1.
The yellow cards were given by the city government to allow registered residents to get health care services from the local government including financial aid and medicines.
Registered residents who have their YELLOW Cards were given medical services and maintenance medicines especially during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Alinsunod sa decision ng Korte Suprema, ikinalulungkot naming ipaalam sa inyo na simula January 1, 2024 wala nang bisa ang YELLOW Card na may address sa 10 EMBO barangays maliban kung sila ay mga empleyado ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Makati (In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court, we regret to inform you that starting Jan. 1, 2024, YELLOW Cards with an address in 10 EMBO barangays will no longer be valid unless they are employees of the Makati City Government),” the local government said.
All lying-in clinics and health centers located in the EMBO barangays were also closed after their licenses to operate expired.
In 2023, the Supreme Court affirmed its 2021 ruling that declared Taguig City, not Makati, has jurisdiction over the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation where the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and the EMBO barangays - Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Northside and Southside.