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The Makati City government is set to transform its Makatizen Cards into virtual cards.

Mayor Abigail Binay made this announcement during Wednesday’s forum dubbed as “The Rise of Intelligent Cities and Municipalities” held at the Bonifacio Global City.

Binay said by going digital, the Makatizen Card will soon be conveniently accessed through a smartphone or any internet-enabled device, making it easier for residents to access government services and programs.

The Makatizen Card is a pioneering project that brings together social services, information, identification, and financial features to constituents. It is a unified, multi-purpose government-issued citizen ID that consolidates financial and social benefits for over 500,000 Makati residents.

The mayor said the card was a springboard for the city’s rapid transformation into the country’s first Digital City. She added it empowers employees, the senior citizens, and the youth.

“Since the start of my term in 2016, we have been implementing a number of digital initiatives to improve the lives of Makatizens,” said Binay.

“In 2017, we launched the Makatizen Card in partnership with Globe Telecom’s G-Xchange Incorporated and iBayad Online Ventures. It is the first citizen card in the country that can be used as a valid ID, ATM, and social card. Through its GCash feature, this multipurpose card allows users to send or receive money and other benefits from the city like cash gifts for senior citizens, stipends for scholars, and bonuses for City Hall employees,” she said.

Binay also said in the forum that her city was the first in the Philippines to distribute financial assistance to residents via GCash when Metro Manila was under lockdown. “This feature helped us support Makatizens during difficult times, as we released P364 million to over 72,000 residents in just one day.”

In 2017, she said, her administration also opened the Makatizen Wi-Fi in partnership with Neo-Converge ICT Solutions and Globe Telecom.

“We also have the Makatizen App, the country’s first digital citizen app. Also launched in 2017 in partnership with Neo-Converge and Voyager Innovations, the Makatizen App allows users to access information on government services. Its user-friendly features enable residents and business owners to report emergencies and other community concerns that need immediate attention. With just one tap on the SOS button, our DRRM Operations Center will immediately dispatch police and rescue personnel to respond to the scene,” said Binay.

At the height of the pandemic in 2021, the local government opened the first Makatizen Hub, a satellite office in SM Makati where residents and entrepreneurs can pay taxes, apply for a Makatizen Card, and obtain digital vaccination certificates.

“The journey to create a smarter Makati is an ongoing process. To become a smart city, we must embrace collaboration and community engagement. This means that our people's voices, ideas, and needs are heard and addressed,” Binay said.

“Most importantly, localities should work together to share resources and best practices. Through knowledge sharing and technology transfer, we can build a nation that is connected, sustainable, and resilient,” she added.

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Autor(en)/Author(s): Joel E. Zurbano

Quelle/Source: Manila Standard, 23.02.2023

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