The local government unit (LGU) of Malabon City on Thursday, Nov. 9, has started the distribution of Christmas cash gifts to Malabon Ahon Blue Card holders in the city.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval's administration has allotted P39 million for the cash gifts to the Malabueños to celebrate the holidays despite the increased cost of basic necessities.
There are 46,456 heads of households in the city who have already claimed their P840 cash gifts from the city government which was sent through their Malabon Ahon Blue Cards.
The blue cards were launched by the LGU in 2022 to provide residents with easy access to different services such as grocery and cash assistance.
To get their cash aid, the city government said that blue card holders can withdraw from any
BancNet automatic teller machines (ATM) or go to any Universal Storefront Service Center (USSC) store.
Residents will first receive a text message from the USSC which will notify them that they may claim their cash gifts.
USSC is the partner of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) in providing the digital solution requirement of the City of Malabon, the local government said.
Aside from claiming the cash gifts through ATM, Blue Cardholders can also present the text message they received together with a valid government ID in USSC stores in the city to process the payout.
There are three USSC branches in Malabon located in barangays Hulong-Duhat, Tañong, and Tinajeros.
The city government said there are already 232,280 Malabueños who have registered for the Malabon Ahon Blue Card.
"Nasisiyahan ako sa tuwing nakikita ko ang ngiti ng ating mga kababayang nakatanggap ng cash assistance sa tulong ng ating Malabon Ahon Blue Card! (It makes me happy seeing the smile of our people who have received their cash assistance with the help of our Malabon Ahon Blue Card!)," Sandoval said.
"Ito'y hindi lamang tulong pinansyal kundi simbolo ng ating pagmahahal at pag-asa para sa mga taga-Malabon (This is not only financial aid but a symbol of our love and hope for the people of Malabon)," she added.