Makati City was the first local government to extend cash gifts to centenarians, and the first batch was awarded during the administration of then-mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay.
The city’s Centenarian Program offers eligible senior residents who reach 100 years old a P100,000 cash gift, a birthday cake, and a plaque of appreciation.
This program supplements the national Centenarians Law and is part of the city’s broader effort to support its senior citizens.
Just last Nov. 4, Mayor Nancy Binay announced the establishment of the Makati Senior Citizens Assistance and Inclusion Program, which would take effect in April next year.
Under the newly-enacted City Ordinance No. 2025-A-023, the measure strengthens and reinforces prior benefits, reflecting the local government’s core dedication to upholding the dignity, health, and active engagement of its senior citizens.
“Our beloved seniors are the living treasures and foundation of Makati. They have dedicated their lives to building their families, communities, and this great city,” Mayor Binay said.
“This new program is not merely assistance; it is a concrete expression of our profound gratitude, ensuring they can live their remaining years with absolute security, health, and respect.”
The ordinance establishes three fundamental pillars of support: enhanced financial and food security, active inclusion and employment, and tax incentives for corporate support. It formalizes an annual cash incentive of twelve thousand pesos (P12,000.00) for all eligible Blu Card and/or White Card holders, which is disbursed biannually in equal installments.
The current incentive structure for beneficiaries is tiered according to age, with individuals aged 60-69 receiving P4,000; those aged 70-79 receiving P5,000; recipients aged 80-89 getting P6,000; those aged 90-99 receiving P11,000; and individuals aged 101 and above receiving the full P12,000.
To address rising food costs, the ordinance also mandates an annual rice subsidy of ten (10) kilos for every qualified senior citizen.
In a pioneering effort to empower seniors who are willing and able to work, the ordinance directs the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Makati to establish a dedicated Senior Citizens Employment Desk. This desk will maintain a database of available senior workers and actively match them with suitable job opportunities in private and public sectors.
To encourage city businesses to partner with the local government in this mission, the ordinance grants a tax deduction equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total salaries and wages paid to hired senior citizens. This deduction will be applied when computing the business tax, providing a strong incentive for private entities to champion senior employment.
“Makati will always lead the way in showing respect for our elders. We are not just mitigating poverty; we are promoting an inclusive environment where our seniors are celebrated, employed, and remain integral, active members of our society,” the mayor said.
The city’s Centenarian program, on the other hand, aims to honor the contributions of senior citizens and encourage a sense of community appreciation for their lifetime of achievements. The program has since inspired other municipalities to implement similar measures, fostering a culture of respect and care for the elderly across the country.
137 Makati Centernarians
Currently, the total number of centenarians in Makati is 137.
The latest recipients were Lola Rosa Chua of Barangay Tejeros and Lola Flora Mallorca of Barangay Kasilawan, who were both visited and awarded by Mayor Nancy Binay in their homes on September 3 and 5, respectively.
Makati’s Centenarian Program was institutionalized in December 2012 and has been in place for years.
The first batch of centenarians awarded in January 2013 consisted of nine, with only one male among them, and four of them were honored posthumously. The P100,000 cash gift is awarded to the next of kin of qualified recipients who pass on before the scheduled ceremony.
In 2014, there were also nine centenarians who were awarded with the P100,000 cash gift. For the first quarter of 2015, three lady centenarians were awarded.
The awardees were able to meet the criteria set by the city’s Social Welfare Department, the lead implementer of the BLU Card Program, as follows: 1) must be a Filipino citizen; 2) must be a bona fide resident of Makati; 3) must have reached 100 years old between January and December of the current year; and 4) must be a BLU Card and White Card holder for at least five years.
Centenarians who are 101 years old and older are also entitled to a mid-year cash incentive of P5,000, provided they have held a Blu Card for a minimum of five years. If they do not meet this requirement, the beneficiary will receive only P2,500 as a mid-year cash incentive.
As part of the Blu Card program, registered senior citizens are eligible to receive their cash incentives biannually, specifically in June and December. For the mid-year distribution, seniors aged 60 to 69 will receive P1,500; those aged 70 to 79 will receive P2,000; seniors aged 80 to 89 will receive P2,500; and those aged 90 to 99 will receive P5,000.
Since 2022, the cash incentives have been directly sent to the GCash accounts of the recipients to ensure safe, convenient, and fast delivery of their mid-year gifts.
Blu Card holders also continue to benefit from free movie viewing, which permits them to watch up to three movies at no cost in a single day, at any time and on any day that cinema partners are operational.
In June, the Makati City Council ratified an ordinance to increase the annual cash incentives for senior citizens by P1,000. The ordinance was signed by then Mayor Abigail Binay, with the intention of enhancing support for the elderly.
