Binay impresses students of his accomplishments

CEBU, Philippines - A P4 billion 24-storey City Hall, a birthday cake and free movie watching anytime of the day for every 40,000 senior citizens, free hospitalizations for the poor, among others. These are the accomplishments of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay during his 20 years in service that impressed the Cebuano students.

Binay, who has openly admitted his plan to seek the presidential post in the coming 2010 elections, was guest speaker in a forum at the University of Cebu-Banilad campus yesterday.

Law and nursing students were amazed more when the mayor admitted that his first name actually stands for “Jesus, Joseph and Mary.”

Binay, a mayor of Makati since February 28, 1986 said that Makati is the only city perhaps where people, especially women are not afraid to divulge their real age.

“Sa Makati lang yata na ang mga tao doon hindi mahihiya na sila ay senior citizens na,” Binay said in a jest during the forum on “Effective Delivery of Basic Services through good governance.”

Makati boosts an income of P10.6 billion in 2008, which is four times bigger than the income of Cebu province. When Binay assumed as mayor in 1986, the Makati City’s yearly income was only P280 million.

Programs for the senior citizens are among the agenda of Binay in his presidential bid as he himself is a senior citizen. He said senior citizens are already in the twilight of their years or are already in the “departure area,” the reason why they have to be pampered and not being envied.

In Makati, the 40,000 senior citizens are receiving not just birthday cakes during their birthdays but also a yearly allowance of P2,000 and P3,000 burial assistance, free medical services, free tour in and outside Makati and a free movie watching in all cinemas within the city anytime of the day.

Binay said transparency and accountability are very important in getting rid of corruption in this country.

Aside from addressing the concerns of the senior citizens, which has an annual allocation of P110 million, Binay’s administration is also giving so much importance on education. A lawyer by profession, he firmly believes that good quality education is a tool to eradicate poverty and improve life.

His administration allocates P500 million for the University of Makati alone, apart from the other 17 public schools where students have a ratio of one is to one per computer. Makati’s public schools have even a subject in “Robotics”, the only in the country.

Makati, the country’s premier city and the financial district won’t settle for anything less, Binay said, saying their government hospital have equipment that are top of the line and one thing good about it, the poor receive such services for free. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB (THE FREEMAN)