Binay: Validity of all expiring Makati Health Plus Program cards extended

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City government will extend for another 30 days the validity of all Makati Health Plus Program cards, better known as Yellow Cards, that will expire while the enhanced community quarantine is in effect in the Luzon region.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the extension aims to ensure the continuous delivery of social services to residents of the city, especially the sick and the elderly, despite the isolation order on Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

“Makati has automatically granted a 30-day extension on all Yellow Cards. So if your card is expiring between March 15 and April 12, or the quarantine period, you don’t have to worry about not being able to use them. You will still be able to get free medicine and continue to enjoy all the health and social services that come with it,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.

Binay explained that the 30-day extension will allow owners of Yellow Cards to stay at home during the quarantine period, which started 12 a.m. of March 17 and ends 12 a.m. of April 13. The Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine was ordered by the national government to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

She then discouraged residents from going to the city hall for renewals and applications, saying the processing of Makatizen cards has also been suspended.

“I urge my dear Makatizens to please stay at home. Please do not go out unless it is absolutely necessary. We are doing everything we can to have everything you need delivered to you so you don’t have to step out,” Binay said.

The city has also released a list of contact persons per village whom residents with medical concerns or those who need to report emergencies can reach out to.

To date, there are 193 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 14 deaths and seven recoveries.

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COVID-19, which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus is related to that which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome but is not as deadly, with only around three percent mortality rate.

WHO said 80 percent of patients experience mild illness and eventually recover from the disease, while some 14 percent experience severe illness and five percent were critically ill.

The virus is spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth when those infected coughs or sneezes. Health authorities have urged the public to practice frequent hand washing, cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those exhibiting respiratory symptoms to prevent infection.

KGA