Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Sunday underscored the need to sustain the city’s reputation as a financially stable, transparent, and fiscally responsible local government unit that delivers exemplary services to its citizens.
“For the past nine years, we took bold steps to revolutionize public service and deliver groundbreaking benefits to our constituents while ensuring that every peso of taxpayers’ money is accounted for,” the mayor said.
Mayor Abby said her emphasis on service innovation, transparency, and strict adherence to government auditing rules has earned the trust of Makati’s taxpayers.
“The city’s stable revenue growth has been crucial to the successful attainment of our short to long-term goals over the last nine years,” she said.
“We are grateful to our taxpayers, especially the business community, for their unwavering support and trust in my administration. It has been an honor and privilege to have you as our partners in securing a better future for our city and its people,” she added.
Under Mayor Abby’s leadership, Makati exceeded its revenue targets annually without raising taxes. In an unprecedented move, she even asked the City Council to reduce realty taxes and assessment levels — an ordinance that was approved in March.
“This is our way of showing our appreciation to our taxpayers, while ensuring that Makati remains the location of choice for foreign and local investors. More investments mean sustained economic growth, more jobs for Makatizens, and continued public services,” Mayor Abby said.
Recognized by the Department of Finance (DOF) as the leading city for fiscal autonomy, Makati’s local revenues consistently rose year after year — even during the pandemic. From P16 billion in 2016, the city’s total revenue collection reached P24.15 billion in 2024.
As of May 2025, collections reached P15.65 billion, with local sources comprising the bulk.
The city’s strong commitment to fiscal responsibility has also earned it eight consecutive unmodified opinions from the Commission on Audit (COA) from 2017 to 2024 — signifying consistent compliance with government financial reporting standards.
Stable revenues have allowed Mayor Abby’s administration to pursue innovations in the health and education sectors — priorities also championed by her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, during his tenure as mayor.
“The innovations in our health programs and the expansion of benefits for our school children are my way of honoring the legacy of my father,” she said.
Aside from Ospital ng Makati, Makatizens now have access to a second hospital — Makati Life Medical Center — which offers top-tier medical care, including a cancer center, and provides free maintenance medicines, unlimited dialysis, chemotherapy, diagnostics, and round-the-clock emergency services. Medical records have been digitized for better access and continuity of care.
In education, Makati has also raised the bar. The city converted 518 public school classrooms into smart classrooms equipped with hybrid interactive boards, internet connectivity, and tablets. Kinder to Senior High School students receive annual packages that include rubber shoes, Randoseru-style backpacks, leather shoes, socks, hygiene kits, dental kits, rain gear, emergency go-bags, reusable tumblers, grocery packs, and daily nutritious snacks.
Mayor Abby has likewise provided public school teachers with special allowances, fringe benefits, laptops, and smart teaching kits to enhance the learning environment.