Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Tuesday unveiled her social agenda, which focuses on improving healthcare and education while boosting worker purchasing power through tax exemptions.
"When government gives priority to better health and education, our people become more productive. And by removing taxes on overtime pay and 13th month pay, we help spur economic growth by increasing the purchasing power of our workers,” Binay said.
On her first day of campaigning, Binay proposed a comprehensive healthcare program that provides free medicines and pharmaceutical products for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other illnesses.
The plan also includes free and unlimited dialysis and chemotherapy, emphasizes preventive care, and aims to improve health facilities, particularly in the provinces.
"Quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone who needs it. Healthcare should be 100 percent better," Binay said.
Education reforms are also a priority, focusing on upgrading school buildings and facilities and ensuring access to water and electricity.
“Children really want to learn. They need to feel valued and supported by their government. They deserve better,” said Binay, who is also gunning for a Senate seat.
She emphasized the use of technology to enhance literacy and proficiency by providing public school students with free access to modern learning tools such as tablets and computers. This initiative would be implemented alongside efforts to address the basic needs of students and teachers, including the provision of classrooms, particularly in remote areas, the improvement and updating of learning materials, and curriculum upgrades.
“In a rapidly changing world, the government must ensure that every child, regardless of economic status, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute positively to society,” Binay said.