Makati condo owners cry foul over alleged exclusion from free rice distribution

A social media post praising Makati City’s free rice distribution has sparked complaints from condominium owners who claim they have never received similar assistance despite being longtime residents, registered voters, and regular real property taxpayers.

The discussion began when Threads user Mikko Cayago shared photos of five-kilogram rice bags bearing the Makati City government seal and the slogan “May Ngiti Sa Bawat Butil ng Bigas.”

Cayago described the assistance as one of the privileges of living in Makati, praising the city government’s concern for its residents.

But several condominium owners had a different experience.

“Makati resident since the 90s and a registered voter here. Condo dweller na nagbabayad rin ng real property tax. Ni minsan di ako nakatanggap ng ganyan o ibang ayuda,” one commenter wrote, adding that the exclusion continued even during the pandemic.

Another condominium owner, who claimed to have lived in Makati for more than 10 years, questioned why residents like them were not receiving the same benefits despite paying property taxes and voting in the city.

One commenter alleged that information about barangay assistance often reaches only senior citizens and residents with connections to barangay officials, leaving condominium dwellers uninformed.

“Wala silang mga announcement na binibigay sa admin. Tingin nila sa mga condo dweller di kailangan ng ayuda,” the commenter claimed.

Others questioned the idea that government assistance should be considered a privilege.

“Benefits/assistance provided by the government is paid by the taxpayers,” another Makati resident pointed out.

The complaints raise questions about how Makati distributes assistance, whether condominium residents are adequately informed about available programs, and whether eligibility requirements are being applied consistently.

However, the online accounts do not establish that all condominium owners are excluded. The city’s official eligibility rules and distribution procedures for the rice program have yet to be established.

For the residents speaking out, the issue goes beyond free rice. They want to know whether living in a condominium affects their access to city government benefits, even when they pay taxes and have called Makati home for decades.