The University of the Philippines in Los Baños has named Makati City Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay as Outstanding Alumna for Local Governance and Public Service during its 99th Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming last Monday.
The state university campus in Laguna recognized Binay for her service to the country as representative of the second district of Makati in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2016.
"She championed several bills that promoted the empowerment of local government units, the rights of women and children, consumer protection, workers' welfare, and modernization of the public education system," said UPLB in its citation.
Binay entered politics during the 2007 elections, where she handily won as congressman of the second district of Makati. She served two more terms after winning in the 2010 and 2013 polls. While serving in Congress, she remained at the forefront of livelihood, job generation and medical assistance programs.
As a legislator, she co-authored the act increasing the ceiling for the total exclusion from gross income of the 13th month pay and other benefits. She also actively supported the passage of the law excluding overtime pay from the computation of taxable income.
Binay also supported the law providing incentives for the manufacture, assembly, conversion and importation of electric, hybrid and other alternative fuel-run vehicles, among others.
The mayor thanked her alma mater for the distinction, and acknowledged its "major role in shaping my ideals and principles which have guided my path as a public servant."
Binay graduated from UPLB in 1997 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, Major in Human Settlements and Planning. After graduation, she attended the Ateneo Law School from 1997 to 2001 and obtained her juris doctorate degree. She passed the bar examination in 2002.
Upon her election as mayor of Makati in 2016, Binay promised to restore efficiency, responsiveness and compassion in the delivery of services in the city. One of her priorities has been to integrate modern technology into the systems and operations of the city government to boost efficiency, promote transparency and accountability, and enhance the city’s overall competitiveness.
Under her administration, Makati City has entered into public-private partnership agreements with industry leaders for landmark ICT-related projects to fulfill its vision of becoming the country’s first digital city.
The Makatizen Card is the first digital PPP undertaking of the city. Through a tie-up with Globe Telecom, its subsidiary G-XChange Inc., and iBayad Online Ventures Inc., around 500,000 cards will be issued to intended recipients at no cost to the city.
The Makatizen Card is a valid government-issued ID that will allow residents and city government employees to access health and social services provided by the city. They can receive cash allowances, stipends, and other cash benefits using their Makatizen Card. They can also use their cards to pay fees and taxes, as well as for personal remittances and other financial transactions.
Soon, Makatizens will enjoy free Wi-Fi through another PPP agreement for the installation of a fiber optic cable infrastructure in and around Makati, at no cost to the city.
Binay recently signed a 25-year contract with Neo-Converge ICT Solutions, which aims to provide free Wi-Fi to residents, public school students and the general public on designated periods daily.
Through another PPP venture, mobile signal boosters will soon be installed on city-owned lampposts to strengthen cellular and internet connectivity for the benefit of residents and transients in the city. This is in partnership with Aim Technologies Inc. and Market Research Knowledge Technology Inc.
Meanwhile, Makati residents have benefited from enhanced social services, including the increased budget of P900 million for free medicines and more efficient health services. Innovative programs such as the Lingkod Bayan Caravan and Ugnayan sa Barangay have brought government services directly to the barangays, and empowered residents to voice their concerns and suggestions to the mayor and other key city officials.
Innovative measures have also improved the efficiency of frontline offices, including those involved in the processing of business permits and licenses. During Binay’s first year in office, the city had registered 4,527 new businesses.
Even without increasing tax rates this year, the city government has already achieved 87 percent of its full-year target in the first seven months of the year. As of July, its total revenue collection stood at P12.65 billion which is nine percent higher than collection for the same period last year.