Makati tops 2019 Digital Governance Awards

The city government of Makati received the highest award in digital governance in the 2019 Digital Governance Awards held Tuesday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Makati City and its pioneering Makatizen Card project were hailed as the overall winner in the Best in eGov Customer Empowerment (G2C) category.

The award recognized the city's efforts to implement Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions in the education sector and public engagement through electronic facilities and channels towards providing improved, timely, and relevant delivery of public service.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the award was the city's second recognition in the Digital Governance Awards. Last year, Makati was also the champion in the same category for its real property tax program.

In pioneering the Makatizen Card, Binay said that she believes that “the road to future and to real progress is via the digital route.”

“We need to constantly improve our services, speed and efficiency, as well as the method of delivery. In Makati, we always ask ourselves this: How can we do things better?” she said.

“We always make sure that we deliver them on time, and in the most efficient way possible,” she added.

The Makatizen Card is a pioneering project of the city government. It is a unified, multi-purpose government-issued citizen ID that consolidates financial and social benefits for over 500,000 Makati residents.

“With a single card, [Makati residents] will be able to stay informed and enjoy all the benefits and programs that Makati has painstakingly laid out for them,” Binay said.

During the ceremony, City Administrator lawyer Claro Certeza and Engr. Merlina Panganiban, head of the Urban Development Department (UDD), received the award on behalf of Makati City.