Makati Mayor Abby Binay during the INQside Look interview.
MANILA, Philippines — Makati Mayor Abby Binay assured her constituents that the city’s funds are still enough to cover their needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Napaka-suwerte po natin. Isa po tayong lungsod sa buong Pilipinas na hindi pa ho umuutang dahil kaya pa po ng ating pondo para matugunan ang ating pangangailangan,” Binay addressed Makati citizens on INQside Look that premiered on Saturday.
(We are fortunate. We are one city in the Philippines who do not loan because our funds are sufficient to respond to our needs.)
Despite the pandemic, the local government said its pandemic response has been continuing, such as programs such as free hospitals and medicines, among others.
“Kahit po hirap tayo dahil sa pandemya dahil marami pong gastos para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan dahil sa pandemyang ito, ang lungsod ng Makati ay masuwerte na fiscally, we are able to still provide and fund for our social projects,” the mayor explained.
(Although, we face difficulty amid the pandemic due to expenses for our needs, Makati City is fortunate that fiscally, we are able to still provide and fund for our social projects.)
Binay guaranteed that the local government has no debt so far, and she will notify the citizens in case they are short of budget.
“Meron po tayong pondo pa para tugunan ito na hindi kinakailangan na umutang. Kung dadating po ‘yung panahon na uutang po tayo, huwag po kayo mag-alala. Sasabihin ko po sa inyo ‘yun,” she concluded.
(We still have enough funds to address the needs without loans. If the time comes that we need to borrow money, don’t worry. I will let you know.)
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