The Makati City government has started distributing year-end cash incentives to 83,857 senior citizens as part of the city’s Blu Card program.
Mayor Abigail Binay said the early distribution of cash incentives to the beneficiaries aims to spare them from the holiday rush and give them more time to plan on what or where to spend their cash incentives.
“We want our senior Makatizens to be happy and feel that they are loved and cared for, that is why we made sure that they receive their cash incentives from the city government early,” she said.
The cash incentives are directly sent to the GCash accounts of the recipients to ensure safe, convenient, and fast delivery of their Christmas gifts.
Under the expanded benefits program for senior citizens, Blu Card holders receive their cash incentives twice a year: every July and December. For the year-end, seniors 60-69 years old will receive P1,500; 70-79 years old, P2,000; 80-89 years old, P2,500; and 90-99 years old, P5,000.
Centenarians aged 101 and above will also receive P5,000 year-end cash incentive provided that he/she has been a Blu Card holder for at least 5 years. If not, the beneficiary will only be receiving P2,500 year-end cash incentive.
The city will be distributing a total of P158,655,500 to 83,857 Blu Card holders registered as of October 31, 2022.
Early this month, the local government also distributed gift bags to thousands of families as early Christmas presents for residents this year.
Binay said the “Pamaskong Handog” bags is part of her administration’s commitment to ensure that residents can enjoy a meaningful and happy Christmas.
The city chief executive said the local government moved up the distribution of the gift bags so that families need not worry about preparations for the traditional family meal at Christmas time.
“In light of the rising prices of goods, this is our way of helping Makati’s families enjoy a merrier Christmas this year,” she said.