Makati City Mayor Abby Binay on Sunday said the city’s current standing as a financially stable, transparent, and fiscally responsible local government providing exemplary services to its citizens must be sustained.
“For the past nine years, we took bold steps to revolutionize public service and deliver groundbreaking benefits to our constituents while ensuring that every peso of taxpayers’ money is accounted for,” the mayor said in a statement.
Binay said her emphasis on service innovation, transparency and strict adherence to government auditing rules has earned the trust of Makati’s taxpayers.
“The city’s stable revenue growth has been crucial to the successful attainment of our short to long-term goals over the last nine years,” she said.
“We are grateful to our taxpayers, especially the business community, for their unwavering support and trust in my administration. It has been an honor and privilege to have you as our partners in securing a better future for our city and its people,” the mayor added.
Binay said Makati was able to exceed its revenue targets every year without raising taxes.
Recognized by the Department of Finance (DOF) as the leading city for fiscal autonomy, Makati’s local revenues consistently increased year after year, even during the pandemic.
From P16 billion in 2016, the city’s total revenue collection reached P24.15 billion in 2024.
As of May 2025, collections reached P15.65 billion, with local sources comprising the bulk.
The city’s commitment to fiscal responsibility has earned eight straight unmodified opinions from the Commission on Audit (COA) from 2017 to 2024, which means that Makati has consistently met established standards in financial reporting.
Stable revenues have allowed Binay’s administration to pursue innovations in two flagship sectors, health and education, which were also the priorities of her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay during his tenure as city mayor.
“The innovations in our health programs and the expansion of benefits for our school children are my way of honoring the legacy of my father,” she said.
Aside from Ospital ng Makati, Makatizens now have access to a second hospital, the Makati Life Medical Center, offering top-tier medical care and facilities, and specialized services including a cancer care center.
They also receive free maintenance medicines, free and unlimited dialysis, chemotherapy and other diagnostic services, and 24/7 access to primary care and emergency services. Medical records are digitized and integrated for easy access.
Makati’s innovations in education have also raised the bar for public education.
To date, the city has completed the conversion of 518 classrooms in various public schools into “smart” classrooms equipped with Hybrid Interactive Boards, free internet connection for both teachers and students, and tablets during classes.
Students from Kinder to Senior High School receive each school year free rubber shoes, Japan-inspired Randoseru bags, leather shoes, socks, hygiene kits, dental kits, rain gear, emergency go bags, reusable tumblers, grocery packs, and daily nutritious snacks.
Mayor Abby also extended full support to teachers in the city’s public schools, granting them special allowances and fringe benefits and providing laptops and teachers’ kits containing smart devices and other essentials.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Makati’s financial stability, transparency, fiscal responsibility must be sustained—Mayor Abby”
