A total of P9,199,756,000 has been allocated by the Makati City local government for its social services this year, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Mayor Abby Binay
Binay explained this is nearly half of the city's P19.70 billion allocated budget for the year and assured Makatizens that they can look forward to enhanced benefits and programs this year as the city anticipates substantial savings following the transfer of the 10 EMBO barangays to Taguig.
"Despite a reduction of P700 million in the National Tax Allotment due to the transfer of the 10 barangays to Taguig, I want to assure Makatizens that our commitment to social services remains unwavering. We are blessed to have a steady and thriving economy, and we recognize the importance of utilizing our resources wisely to enhance the overall well-being of residents and foster a more inclusive and equitable society," she said.
The city government had earlier announced that it would add anti-shingles vaccine to its list of covered vaccinations, aiming to enhance the overall health and well-being of residents aged 19 and above. The vaccine cost ranges from P8,000 to P10,000, but it will be provided for free to Yellow Card holders.
The mayor noted that the Health sector receives the largest chunk of the 2024 budget among the social development sub-sectors with P4,136,000,000 (45 percent), followed by Education with P3,253,038,000 (35 percent), and Social Welfare, P1,810,718,000 (20 percent).
The city government has earmarked a total of P2.36 billion for the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak), P1.71 billion for the Makati Health Department (MHD), and P54.38 million for the Veterinary Services Department for this year.
Health programs covered by this year’s budget include the MHD's Primary Health Care Management (P1.04 billion) and OsMak's Patient's Care Program (P1.29 billion).
Binay's administration continues to ramp up the city's health and wellness services for all its residents. Yellow Card holders can avail themselves of free outpatient consultation, subsidized hospitalization and diagnostic tests at OsMak and Makati Life Medical Center, primary health care needs in barangay health centers, free dental services, free dialysis, prenatal checkups, Baby Makatizen bags, newborn screening and hearing test, vaccines, and medicines, including maintenance medications for hypertension, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases.
Under the education sub-sector, the city has allocated P1.89 billion for the Department of Education-Makati(DepEd Makati), P1.02 billion for the University of Makati (UMak), P274.06 million for the Education Department, and P55.98 million for the Museum and Cultural Affairs Office.
Binay said programs for this year include the Makati Scholarship Program (P5.93 million), Project FREE (P89.13 million), Talent Optimization Program for Students-Search for the Ten Outstanding Students of Makati (P816,000), Special Education Program (P3.5 million), General Administration and Support Program (P103.50 million), and Gawad Parangal (P11.67 million).
She added that the city has a P1.89-billion Special Education Fund that covers Free Relevant and Excellent Education (P1.05 billion), Student's Competency Enrichment Program (P50.73 million), Talent Optimization Program for Students-Makati Symphony Orchestra and Center for Cultural Affairs and Performing Arts in Education (P24.64 million), and Teacher Effectiveness and Competence Honing Program (P14.99 million).
Under the expanded Project FREE, Makati public school students will receive new uniforms, leather and rubber shoes, socks, bags, school supplies, tumblers, emergency go bags, hard hats, grocery packs, rain gear, anti-dengue kits, and free snacks this year.
Meanwhile, the city has also allotted P1.70 billion for the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) and P108.14 million for the Youth and Sports Development Department (YSDD).
The local chief said the budget covers the MSWD's Makati Social Protection and Empowerment Program (P918.20 million), Social Welfare and Development for Makatizens Program (P513.52 million), Makati Gender and Development Council's Gender-Responsive Social Services (P16.87 million), Makati City Council for the Protection of Children' (MCCPC) Programs (P8.5 million), Makati Anti-Poverty Committee's Makati Poverty Reduction Programs (P13.39 million). It also includes YSDD's Makati Scholarship, Training, and Incentives Programs (P1.42 million), Hosting and Invitational Tournament (P10.31 million), Sports, Wellness and Recreational Programs for Various Department/Offices and Other Stakeholders (P3.18 million), and Regional and National Games Program (P21.56 million).
Makati provides subsidies to members of PhilHealth ng Masa, free birthday cakes, movies, and cash gifts for senior citizens, burial assistance, disaster relief assistance, rice assistance, cash incentives for solo parents, Pamaskong Handog bags, student insurance, mass weddings, and other social programs.
For this year, the city has dedicated P4,261,527,000 for Administrative Services, P195,383,000 for Economic Development, P824,844,000 for Environmental Management, P410,771,000 for Finance Management, P1,045,579,000 for Infrastructure Development; P1,679,343,000 for Protective Services; and P2,092,574,000 for the city's statutory and contractual obligations.
The 2024 budget is higher by P473.9 million compared to the 2023 budget of P19.23 billion.