The Makati City government has enacted an ordinance that provides yearly financial assistance and rice incentives to students in public schools, covering all levels from day care to senior high school.
City Ordinance No. 2025-A-024 further extends benefits to students enrolled in Special Education (SPED) programs.
“Education is the foundation of everything we’re building in Makati. If we want our students to compete, to succeed, to lead, we need to make sure poverty never stands in their way. This ordinance puts real resources in the hands of families who need it most. Cash for school expenses. Rice on the table every month. These aren’t luxuries. They’re what it takes to keep a child in school and focused on learning,” said Mayor Nancy Binay.
The ordinance stated that all bona fide students from day care to senior high school, including those in special education institutions, will receive annual cash incentives.
Students in day care, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary will each receive P3,500, while those in junior and senior high school will receive P7,000 per school year.
The assistance will be released in two tranches every June and December.
In addition to financial assistance, each student will receive a monthly allocation of 5 kilos of rice, distributed by the City Education Department in coordination with the Makati Social Welfare Department.
The measure aims to reduce financial barriers that often lead to student absenteeism and dropouts, especially among students from low-income families.
It also seeks to promote regular school attendance, improve academic performance, and support overall student well-being.
“As a mother, I’ve seen how parents will sacrifice everything for their children’s education. They skip meals, work extra jobs, and carry the weight of worry every single day,” Binay said.
“No parent should have to choose between their child’s next meal and their school needs. We are lifting that burden by committing to every Makati family: your child’s future matters to us, and we’re here to help you protect it.”
