More than 26,000 senior citizens in Makati have received their birthday cakes since the city government resumed the distribution last February, following a seven-month delay caused by procurement issues during the previous administration.
In a report to Mayor Abigail Binay, officials of the Makati Action Center said they distributed the cakes to about 26,933 senior citizens in 32 barangays who celebrated their birthdays and golden wedding anniversaries from July to December last year.
The distribution of cakes covering that period is set to be completed on the first week of August.
“We are glad that we could finally catch up on our deliveries of birthday cakes to our beloved senior Makatizens. Our MAC personnel have stepped up their daily, door-to-door delivery of cakes to cover last year and this month’s birthday celebrators,” Binay said.
Binay assured the elders they will continue to enjoy the unparalleled perks granted to them since the time of her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay.
During the transition period last year, the Binay administration conducted a review of all existing contracts. These included the contract for the supply of birthday cakes for senior citizens, which had been merely extended by the previous administration since 2015 and not opened to public bidding as required by law.
The free birthday cake is one of the privileges granted by the city government under the BLU Card program, which is implemented by the Elderly Welfare Section of the Makati Social Welfare Department.
For this year, P33.7 million has been allocated for the free cakes given to over 77,000 BLU Card holders on their birthday and to couples on their golden wedding anniversary.
Since July 1 of this year, MAC has been delivering an average of 500 birthday cakes daily to the beneficiaries to cover the backlog, along with July 2017 celebrators. Once the cake distribution to 36,310 birthday celebrators last year is completed, MAC will immediately start the distribution to 31,209 seniors who celebrated their birthdays from January to June this year.
Based on available data, MAC as of July 25 had delivered birthday cakes to recipients in various barangays, as follows: Rizal, 1,940 cakes; Pio del Pilar, 1,939; Pembo, 1,825; Cembo, 1,592; Tejeros, 1,382; West Rembo, 1,334; Olympia, 1,279; East Rembo, 1,297; Bangkal, 1,295; Palanan, 1,112; San Antonio, 976; San Lorenzo, 875; Bel-Air, 825; Comembo, 807; Guadalupe Nuevo, 767; South Cembo, 755; Guadalupe Viejo, 706.
Other deliveries were made to Pitogo, 693; Southside, 662; La Paz, 554; Kasilawan, 493; Poblacion, 461; Magallanes, 450; San Isidro, 424; Sta. Cruz, 400; Valenzuela, 384; Singkamas, 369; Urdaneta, 310; Carmona, 292; Forbes Park, 199; Pinagkaisahan, 426; and Northside, 110.
From an initial P3,000 burial assistance, the BLU card was later expanded to include cash gifts given twice a year, free groceries every Christmas, free cakes, and the P100,000 cash gift for centenarians.
With the approval last December of an additional P1,000 cash gift for BLU card holders, members are now entitled to annual cash gifts depending on their age bracket, as follows: 60-69 years old, P3,000; 70-79, P4,000; and 80 years and older, P5,000. The cash gift is given in two equal instalments every June and December.
For this year, P326.2 million has been allocated by the city government for the cash gift to seniors and centenarians.
Other privileges granted by the city to elderly residents include unlimited free entrance to all Makati cinemas, free tours to famous tourist destinations in the country (Lakbay Saya), free salon and spa services, and a grand welcome party for new senior citizens.
For its free movies program, the city has allocated P35 million for this year, and P1.5 million for Lakbay Saya.
Every year, the city government hosts a grand party to welcome residents who have turned 60 years old to the city’s elite Tribe of Senior Citizens. It is also at the party that the new tribe members receive their BLU Card. If they are qualified for the mid-year or year-end cash gift, they will also receive their first P1,500 cash incentive. This year, the amount of P472,500 has been allocated by the city government for the welcome party.
