Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval signed on Wednesday, Dec. 21, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC) to launch the “Malabon Ahon Blue Card.”
The blue cards, which will be given to each household in the city, will increase transparency and efficiency of Sandoval’s administration with the utilization of an electronic financial system to distribute social programs and services (such as financial help) to residents, the city government said.
It added that the cards’ 100 percent cashless transactions will prevent theft in the usage of the city funds as well as improve the local government’s speed and efficiency in providing services to residents.
DBP Branch Banking Sector head Mr. George Inocencio and USSC Business Development Manager Robert Arciaga Jr. inked the MOA with Sandoval at the Malabon City Sports Complex on Wednesday.
It was witnessed by City Administrator Alexander Rosete, former city Representative Ricky Sandoval, city councilors, and officials from the DBP and USSC.
Sandoval said they established the blue cards for the families to get their “ayuda” (help), including groceries and allowances, conveniently. She added that they have already listed around 94,000 families in the city.
She added that the city is also planning to launch other services and programs for the health and education of the city’s residents and children.
“Dito naman sa Malabon, nais ko po ipagkaloob ang lahat ng mga benepisyong dapat para sa mga mamamayan ditto (I want to give the residents of Malabon all the benefits that are due to them),” the mayor told reporters.
“Nandito lang naman ang lokal na pamahalaan sa aking pamumuno para po magbigay po ng benepisyo, tumulong po sa lahat ng pangangailangan ng ating bawat kababayan po dito. Ang pintuan po ng city hall ay bukas sa lahat (The local government, under my leadership, is here to provide benefits and help each of our citizens get all their needs. The door of the city hall is open to everyone),” Sandoval said.
The local government said the Malabon City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD) will conduct a six-day registration drive on Dec. 22, 23, 26 to 29 at the Malabon City Sports Complex to ensure that the all the families will be listed to get the Malabon Ahon Blue Cards.
The USSC is an electronic money issuer regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the city government added.