MANILA, Philippines — After being thumbed down last year, the ordinance granting a P10,000 annual cash gift for Makati City’s senior citizens aged 90 and up has finally been approved by the city council.

Under City Ordinance No. 2019-A-023, which took effect last week, the additional incentive will be distributed in two parts. The first will be given in July, followed by the second one in December.

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Residents who are 90 to 99 years old will receive P10,000 per year. They previously received only P5,000 under a 2016 ordinance.

On their 100th birthday, they will get P100,000 in cash. They will continue to receive the P10,000 cash gift upon reaching their 101st birthday, and every year for the rest of their lives.

To qualify, however, they should be Blu Card (special benefit cards for senior citizens issued by the city government) holders for at least five years. Otherwise, they would be entitled only to the P5,000 annual cash gift.

Acknowledgment

“I am pleased to report that our newly elected councilors have passed my proposal to give our senior citizens an incentive they truly deserve. We want inclusive progress for our Makatizens, and this is an acknowledgment of their contributions to our city,” Mayor Abby Binay said in a statement.

The ordinance, which amended City Ordinance No. 2016-A-043, was passed on third and final reading during a special session on July 19.

The majority of the 18-member council signed the ordinance, save for four members.

As of June, there were 2,096 Blu Card members aged 90 to 99, out of the city’s over 84,000 cardholders.

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