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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE 3 SUMMARY 3 RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE 4 PROJECT HISTORY 6 PROJECT RESULTS 7 KEY IMPLEMENTATION STEPS 7 ANALYSIS AND LESSONS LEARNED 9 USE OF PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS 10 APPENDICES 13

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I TITLE

MAKATI BLU CARD PROGRAM

The Makati City Initiative

II SUMMARY The Makati BLU Card Program was launched in the year 2002 through the

initiative of the Honorable Mayor Jejomar C. Binay. It is a burial assistance

program, wherein family of a deceased senior citizen who is a BLU cardholder

will receive a financial assistance from the City Government of Makati. As a

requirement, for a Blu Card, a senior citizen must be a registered voter and

currently residing in Makati. Benefits under the program are forfeited in case the

cardholder transfers his/her residence outside Makati. In the event of the

cardholder’s death, the amount of P3,000 burial assistance is given to the

beneficiary stated at the back of the card if they could present the necessary

documents. Aside from the said benefits, the city government extended P1, 000

cash/ allowance to all senior citizens who are BLU cardholders in the middle and

the end of the year (June and December). The amount of P40 million is

appropriated every year for this project.

Together with the Barangay Councils of Senior Citizens, the program

continues to grow and fulfill its mission of serving the elderly. The Elderly

Councils help in facilitating BLU card applicants. The Makati Social Welfare

Department (MSWD) partners with the Federation of Makati Council of Senior

Citizens (FMCSC) in the implementation of the BLU Card Program. FMCSC has

a chapter in every barangay and is headed by a chapter chairperson. The

chapter chairperson is responsible in facilitating and endorsing the application of

Senior Citizens to enroll in the program. Likewise, the chapter chairperson helps

in the processing of documents of the bereaved families to avail of the burial

assistance due to a deceased BLU cardholder.

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Additional requirements to apply for the BLU card are: two (2) 1x1 picture,

Voters Registration Receipt (VRR) or COMELEC Certification, Barangay

Clearance, Birth Certificate, marriage contract, passport or PRC card (for senior

citizens 60-74 years old), white and yellow cards or any old valid ID’s bearing the

Makati Address (For senior citizens 75 years old and over, no VRR or COMELEC

Certification to present). The original copies of the mentioned documents must

be brought and presented upon application.

In claiming for the Burial assistance of the BLU card program, there are

also corresponding requirements that the claimant should present like the BLU

card of the deceased senior citizen, marriage contract of the deceased, if

married, birth certificate of the claimant, residence and marriage certificate of the

claimant (if married). All beneficiaries must be of legal age.

The program has helped a lot of senior citizens in Makati as well as its

beneficiaries of the BLU cardholders. The feedbacks gathered from beneficiaries,

including senior citizens from the villages, showed satisfaction with the first ever

cash gift/ allowance given by the local government.

III RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The increase in size and proportion of our elderly is one of the most

significant changes taking place in the world today and in the Philippines. In the

City of Makati, its elderly population during the last three (3) census periods

showed an increasing trend with an average growth rate of 19.1% (UDD, 2004).

The elderly population in the 1990’s based on Census was only 18,400 but it has

increased to 21,983 and 26,067 during the 1995 and 2000 censuses

respectively. It is projected that the population of the elderly will still continue to

rise in number in the years to come (UDD, 2004).

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It is evident that majority of the support given to the elderly still comes

from their own families or if not from their immediate relatives. Besides providing

them with food, clothing, medicines and shelter, they also contribute to the

physical and emotional care as well as the psychological enhancement of the

elderly. For the national government’s part, it has enacted into law the Republic

Act 7432 known as the Senior Citizens Act that grants benefits and special

privileges to the elderly (UDD, 2004).

Makati’s concern to the welfare of the elderly population could be seen

through the launching of several programs, projects and activities, in addition to

the benefits provided by the national government. These include the Birthday

Bash and Lakbay Saya for Senior Citizens, Issuance of the National Identification

(ID) Card, Christmas Cash Gift/ Allowance, BLU card, to name a few. The Makati

Social Welfare Department (MSWD) with the Makati Health Department (MHD)

and the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) are the three implementing

agencies of these programs.

Initially, the BLU Card program was not attractive to senior citizens as it

was intended to provide burial assistance only. They thought that when they

apply for the program, they already anticipate their death. However, when the

Honorable Mayor Jejomar C. Binay expanded the BLU card benefits, that is the

bi-annual P 1,000.00 cash gift, the number of enrollees to the program increased

exponentially so that currently, there are 35,148 senior citizens who are

beneficiaries of the program compared to the 9,874 beneficiaries during its

inception.

For almost four years, the said program was able to cater to the needs of

senior citizens in the City of Makati. The program has helped them in various

ways. Senior Citizens are able to buy their medicines or other needs with

discounted price. And during their death, the family is given burial assistance.

This program is a clear manifestation that the city of Makati has given emphasis

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to the needs and welfare of our elderly. Furthermore, it has likewise proven that

we Filipinos value our elderly in ways whatsoever that we could help them. On

the other hand, the program does not only focus its concerns on the welfare of

the elderly but also on the relatives or the beneficiaries of the senior citizens in

case they pass away. This will help to give the deceased elderly the decent burial

they deserve. The various feedbacks gathered during Ugnayans and over Radyo

Makati showed that the beneficiaries, including the senior citizens from the

villages expressed their gratitude and satisfaction towards the program.

IV PROJECT HISTORY As stated earlier, the program was launched in the year 2002 through the

efforts of the Honorable Mayor Jejomar C. Binay. Its main purpose is to give

assistance to the elderly populace within the city to help them augment their daily

basic needs like for instance maintenance of their medicines and more

importantly, the burial assistance extended to the bereaved family in case of the

cardholder’s death.

As of February 2004, the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD) has

issued BLU Card to 23,725 senior citizens. Of the total, the families of 428

cardholders have received burial assistance. The number of BLU cardholders,

however, is only 82.1% of the projected 28,901 senior citizens in the city (UDD,

2004). During its early implementation only a few enrolled due to negative

perceptions that it was an early preparation of their death.

Last December 2003 however, the City Government of Makati extended a

bi-annual cash/ allowance to all senior citizens who are registered BLU

cardholders as of January 15, 2004. With this, as an additional benefit, the

number of BLU cardholders increased in number. During the first weeks of its

implementation, beneficiaries were required to claim the said allowance from the

Cash Division. However, most of the beneficiaries could not do so, due to health

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concerns. MSWD then decided to schedule the distribution of benefits in their

respective barangays. This procedure has been convenient to the beneficiaries

as has facilitated the flow of services accordingly.

If the City Government plans to continue the implementation of the said

project, the database of beneficiaries should be linked to that of BLU

cardholders. This is in line with the guidelines that only BLU cardholders are

qualified and entitled to receive the cash gift/ allowance.

The program is spear headed by the Makati Social Welfare Department

(MSWD) through the Elderly Welfare Section.

V PROJECT RESULTS The project’s main objective is to give assistance to the elderly population

of the city in terms of providing them with their basic needs as well as giving

burial assistance to their respective families in case they pass away. For almost

four (4) years that the program has existed, the objectives of helping the elderly

populace in the city has proven to be successful since a number of senior

citizens and their respective families were given assistance. Proof is the increase

in the number of senior citizens who are availing of the program since its

inception.

VI KEY IMPLEMENTATION STEPS

As per City Resolution No. 2002-061, there are several steps that are

followed prior to the issuance of the BLU card ID. Moreover, there are eligibility

requirements to be followed. (Appendices 2 & 3)

Moreover, the issuance of the bi-annual allowances of the elderly should

be linked to that of the BLU cardholders as those having the BLU Cards are the

only ones entitled to receive the said allowance.

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To facilitate the faster flow of services, the Makati Social Welfare

Department through the Elderly Welfare Section, partners with other

organizations to fulfill its objectives. The Federation of Makati Council of Senior

Citizens (FMCSC) takes a big role with regards to the processing of the BLU card

applicants. FMCSC has a chapter in every barangay and is headed by a chapter

chairperson. The chapter chairperson is responsible of facilitating and endorsing

the application of senior citizens to enroll in the program. Likewise, the chapter

chairperson helps in the processing of documents of the bereaved families to

avail of the burial assistance due to a deceased BLU cardholder senior citizen.

For three (3) consecutive years, (2002-2004), the budget allocated by the

City Government of Makati for the welfare and benefits of the senior citizens

increases at an average growth rate of 108.5%. The tremendous increase of

238% was registered in 2003 due to the appropriation of P1,000.00 allowance for

every qualified senior citizen. However, the budget for 2004 was reduced by

21.2% as a result of the trimming down of the budget for BLU card and the

Christmas Cash Gift (UDD, 2004).

For two consecutive years, 2002- 2003, the budget for the combined BLU

card and Christmas Cash Gift/ allowance remained at P 45 million. In the year

2004 however, the budget decreased to P 33 million. For this year, 2006, the city

government has allocated P 40 million budget for the said programs.

During the first implementation of the program as mentioned earlier, only a

few availed of the program because of its negative impression. However, with the

additional cash gift or allowance, more and more enrolled.

In comparison with other cities in Metro Manila, the Senior Citizens

Program of the City of Makati could be considered as the best because of the

numerous benefits and services provided to its elderly citizens. Most of the

programs being implemented by other cities are only in compliance with the

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Senior Citizens Act, and those developed programs and projects by the

Department of Social Welfare and Development.

VII ANALYSIS AND LESSONS LEARNED

In general, majority of the elderly citizens are not well prepared for their

old ages. Upon retirement, they are mostly left in their houses since they prefer

to stay at home rather than spend the rest of their lives fruitfully. For this reason,

the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the community

should continue working together in providing programs and services to assist

the elderly population by giving them the opportunity to be productive despite

their age.

To maximize the contributions of senior citizens, they should be

encouraged to take more active roles in the community through participation in

various activities thereby enhancing their full potentials, disregarding their ages.

As mentioned, the BLU card program of the MSWD has catered to the

elderly populace in the City of Makati in terms of giving them assistance. To

efficiently improve the various programs for the elderly, there should be an

intensified Information and Education Campaign to facilitate the flow of

information on how the senior citizens could avail of its benefits. Moreover, a

databank of senior citizens should be maintained and be updated on a quarterly

basis as mandated by the National Senior Citizens Act. These would facilitate the

efficient implementation of the various programs and services in a more cost-

effective manner.

With the onset of the programs for our elderly, indeed the city can be

tapped as an Elderly friendly city. If others tend to deny their ages especially if

they reach the senior citizens age bracket, the reverse is true in Makati. The

people in the city of Makati are excited to become senior citizens!

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VIII. USE OF PHOTOS/ ILLUSTRATIONS Sample of the BLU card issued to the Senior Citizens

Sample of the BLU card issued to the Senior Citizens

More of the Honorable Mayor Jejomar C. Binay during the orientation

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The MSWD Staff with the FMCSC members as they fill up the forms for the issuance of the BLU card, while Ms. Marjorie A. De Veyra, MSWD

Department Head looks on.

Issuance and Launching of the BLU card program to the senior citizens in coordination with the Federation of Makati Council of Senior Citizens

(FMCSC).

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More of the Department Head, Marjorie A. De Veyra during the BLU card launching.

The department head, while the elderly attentively listens to her.

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IX APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Appendix 2 City Ordinance # 2002-061 City Ordinance # 2002-061 (A) Resolution # 60

Appendix 1 BLU CARD PROGRAM Created in June 2002 through the initiative of Mayor Jejomar C. Binay, the BLU

Card program is a burial assistance program, wherein family of a deceased

senior citizen who is a BLU cardholder will receive a financial assistance from the

city government of Makati.

Who are qualified to avail of the BLU Card Program:

Filipino Citizen

60 years old and above

registered voters of Makati and actual resident of Makati for at least two

years before application.

How to apply for the BLU Card? Where to get application form: Makati Social Welfare Department Office (MSWD), 5th Flr. New Makati

City Hall

Whom to look for: Marjoirie A. De Veyra, chief of the MSWD or Myrna A. Lanario, program-

in-charge, Elderly Welfare Program. Telephone nos. 899-89-97 and 870-12-27

Get application form at the office of the MSWD or inquire at your chapter

chairman assigned in your respective barangay.

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Fill up the application form and return to the MSWD office together with

the requirements

All application forms must be signed by thru Chapter Chairman

The application form is free however, the MSWD charges five pesos

(P5.00) for the card and its plastic cover. For lost card, an Affidavit of Loss shall be submitted with the corresponding fee of fifty pesos

(P50.00). For change card, twenty pesos (P20.00).

What are the requirements to apply for the Blu Card:

1. (2) 1 x 1 picture

2. Voters Registration Receipt (VRR) or Comelec Certification

3. Barangay clearance

4. Birth certificate, marriage contract, passport or PRC card (for senior

citizen 60-65 years old.)

5. White and yellow cards or any old valid ID’s bearing the Makati Address

(for senior citizens 75 years with noVRR or Comelec Certification to

present.)

Bring the original copies of above-listed documents.

What are the benefits provided in the BLU Card: Upon the death of the BLU Card holder, the beneficiaries are entitled to

receive financial assistance in the amount of three thousand pesos

(P3,000.00)

BLU Card holders are also entitled to receive an allowance of One

Thousand (P1,000.00) Pesos twice a year (June and December)

What are the requirements in claiming burial assistance of BLU Card Program: The BLU Card of the deceased senior citizen

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Marriage Contract of the deceased, if married (if none, an affidavit of two

disinterested persons)

Birth Certificate of the claimant, if son, daughter, brother, sister, of other

immediate relative of the deceased.

Marriage Contract of the claimant (if married)

Residence Certificate of the claimant

Beneficiaries must be of legal age. Appendix 2

GUIDELINES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BLU CARD AND AVAILMENT OF BENEFIT

I. Qualifications:

1. Must be a Filipino citizen.

2. Must be 60 years old and above.

3. Must be a registered voter and actual/current resident of the City of Makati

for the past two years.

II. Requirements: (Please bring & present all original requirements for authentication.)

1. Two (2) copies “1 x 1” Photos.

2. Voter’s Registration Receipt (VRR) or COMELEC certification

3. Barangay Clearance

4. Birth Certificate, Marriage Contract, Passport or PRC card

(For senior citizen who are 60 – 74 years old)

5. White Card and Yellow card & any old valid ID’s bearing the Makati

Address

(For senior citizens who are 75 years & above with no VRR or COMELEC

certification)

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III. Others:

1. If card is lost, an affidavit of loss shall be submitted with the corresponding

fee of Fifty Pesos (P50.00)

2. Change Card P20.00

3. Benefits under the Blu Card Program will be forfeited in case the card

holder has transferred outside the City of Makati.

4. those who had been issued Blu Card can avail of the burial assistance of

P3,000.00 , that is NO BLU CARD, NO BENEFIT