Makatizen Card: Makati citizens go cashless, digital
A new convenience has just been introduced by the Makati City government to everyone who lives in Makati: the Makatizen Card.
INTRODUCING THE MAKATIZEN CARD. If you’re a resident of Makati, chances are you’d want to get your hands on one./IMAGE My Makati on Facebook
The Makatizen Card lets you go cashless by taking advantage of Globe’s GCash mobile wallet, which will let you pay for your purchases within the city-wide local merchant network. It also counts as your government-issued photo ID that effectively removes any additional documents you need to carry whenever you avail of a government service when coupled with machine readers by iBayad, a start-up mobile payments and e-commerce company in the Philippines.
About 1,000 functioning cards were launched and tested on May 30. Just imagine not having to bring your wallet around Makati to pay government institutions, hospitals, and merchants in the city. You can even transact with Jollijeeps, sari-sari stores, and ambulant vendors!
Also read: What’s a Sari-Sari Store: PH’s small neighborhood retail shop
PAYING FOR FISHBALLS WITH PLASTIC? It will be possible with the Makatizen Card. Here, Makati Mayor Abby Binay makes the first Makatizen transaction to buy fishballs from a local vendor./IMAGE Globe
Makati Mayor Abigail Binay said the Makatizen Card collaboration with Globe, GCash, and iBayad “takes us a step nearer to achieving our goal of empowering everyone, including those in the marginalized sectors of society, to enjoy a better quality of life.”
For their part, Globe lauded the support they received from Makati City. Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe, said “For the Philippines to truly become a digital nation, we need to fully take advantage of new digital opportunities and innovations to enable growth in every corner of our country. We laud the vision of the Makati City government whose support of this initiative is critical to build the city-wide digital ecosystem, a step towards the realization of our dream for the Philippines to become an admired nation.”
As of this morning, no details have been revealed as to how you can avail of the card, but you can send a message to the Makati City government via their Facebook page, My Makati, for updates on how you can get one.
Mobile App for Makati citizens
ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS DIGITAL. The Makati City government also introduced the Makatizen App earlier today./IMAGE MyMakati on Facebook
Earlier today, Makati took their digitization one step further with the launch of the Makatizen App, which will allow residents of Makati to do one of the following:
- Get up-to-the-minute advisories and announcements about Makati City programs and events with MakaGimik
- Instantly book a ride on board Makati’s point-to-point shuttle service with MakaRide (initially available to Makati City government employees)
- Instantly shop for must-have items and receive exclusive discounts via MakaShopping, an in-app online marketplace for Makati residents
- Getimportant information about how and why to invest and start a business in Makati City with MakaNegosyo
To date, the Makatizen App is only available for Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers with Android phones, but the local government is planning to roll out the app for Globe subscribers and IOS phones in the near future.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler, Globe, My Makati
