MANILA, October 1 (PNA) -- All senior citizens who are holders of BLU Card will be exempted from the color-coding scheme now in effect in Makati City.

Acting City Administrator Marjorie A. De Veyra said the new directive proposed by the city's Liga ng mga Barangay aims to provide convenience to the family of senior citizens, particularly at times when the elderly need to seek medical attention.

She said the city government recognizes the importance of transportation to the senior citizens of Makati and with the new directive they hope to lessen their burden of needing to hire or look for other means of transportation.

The program proponents was commended by Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay.

"This is a good way of repaying our seniors who have contributed much to the city's growth during their younger years. They deserve to be honored for all their hard work," Binay said.

Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Hermenigildo San Miguel said the senior citizens who are BLU card holders must either be a passenger or driver of the vehicle to be exempt from the city's Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP).

San Miguel said senior citizens must be present inside the vehicle if apprehended and must present their BLU Card to the apprehending officer

"Even if the car is owned by a senior citizen, if, at the time of the apprehension, he is not around, the motorist shall not be exempted from the coding scheme," San Miguel said.

The city of Makati has an extensive list of programs for its seniors. Programs include the "Harana sa Matatanda," wherein Makati's senior citizens receive special cakes on their birthdays and golden wedding anniversaries, and the cash gift under the BLU Card program that entitles them to an annual allowance of P2,000 given twice a year -– in June and December. (PNA)
DCT/CLTC/utb