A total of 84,048 residents of Malabon City received the fourth tranche of financial aid in their Malabon Ahon Blue Card (MABC) initiative on Friday, Dec. 13.
Malabueños lines up in ATM machine to claim their financial aid (Photo from Malabon City PIO)
The city government marked the fourth tranche of aid distributed under the initiative, which aims to bring joy and support to residents during the holiday season.
The city’s Public Information Office announced that beneficiaries can claim their cash assistance until Dec. 20 at 11:59 p.m. They can withdraw funds at any BancNet ATM, Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC) branches nationwide, or use the MABC debit card for purchases at drugstores, fast food chains, supermarkets, malls, and other stores equipped with Point-of-Sale (POS) machines.
Beneficiaries will receive text notifications from USSC once their aid is available for withdrawal, and they can verify their eligibility through a link shared on the MABC’s official Facebook page.
Mayor Jeannie Sandoval reaffirmed her commitment to fulfilling the city government’s promise of enhanced financial support this year.
“Sinikap natin na matupad ang ating pangakong mas madaming ayuda mula sa Malabon Ahon Blue Card ngayong taon. Maliban sa unang tatlong ayuda at sa hospital at burial assistance na ating inilunsad ngayong 2024, ay atin na ring ipamamahagi ang ika-apat na ayuda (We made every effort to fulfill our promise of providing more assistance through the Malabon Ahon Blue Card this year. In addition to the first three aid distributions and the hospital and burial assistance launched in 2024, we will also distribute the fourth round of assistance),” she said.
She encouraged residents to make the most of their Blue Cards for Christmas preparations, emphasizing the city government’s dedication to bringing programs and services closer to all Malabueños.
“Kaya naman ihanda niyo na ang inyong mga Blue Cards at kunin ito upang inyong maipambili ng panghanda ngayon Kapaskuhan. Tayo po sa pamahalaang lungsod ay nagsisikap na mas mailapit sa lahat ng Malabueño ang lahat ng ating programa at serbisyo. Sama-sama tayo sa lahat ng panahon (So, get your Blue Cards ready and use them to purchase what you need for your Christmas preparations. We in the city government are doing our best to bring all our programs and services closer to every Malabueño. Together, let us stand united through all seasons),” Sandoval added.
The distribution of the fourth tranche coincides with the MABC program’s second anniversary, which will be celebrated on Dec. 22.
Meanwhile, City’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Office head Catherine Larracas urged residents to maximize the MABC’s functionality as a debit card for more convenient transactions across various establishments.
The MEAL Office clarified that all current MABC holders are eligible for this round of aid, except for new cardholders, individuals who claimed their cards on Nov. 25, and those who failed to claim their MABCs by Dec. 20.
City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete highlighted the program’s long-term impact.
“Sinimulan natin ang programang ito ng may layuning mas mapabuti ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga Malabueño. Nais natin mailapit ito sa lahat ng pamilya, at ngayon ay marami na ang nabigyan ng tulong para sa kanilang mga pangangailangan (We started this program with the aim of improving the delivery of services to every Malabueño. Our goal is to bring it closer to all families, and now, many have already received assistance for their needs),” he said.
“Ngayong Kapaskuhan, ang ikaapat na ayuda na ito ay ating munting regalo para sa lahat ng mga Malabueño. Nawa ay maging inspirasyon ang programang ito para sa lahat na magtulungan at magkaisa lalo na ngayong Kapaskuhan (This Christmas season, this fourth wave of assistance is our humble gift to all Malabueños. May this program serve as an inspiration for everyone to come together and help one another, especially during this holiday season),” Rosete added.
The Malabon Ahon Blue Card (MABC) program was launched in 2022, it has become one of Sandoval’s flagship initiatives by providing quarterly financial assistance along with other benefits such as hospitalization and burial support.
The program has supported over 66,000 Malabueños and it expanded to reach more than 84,000 residents this year.
By bridging gaps in financial assistance and promoting transparency, the MABC program continues to uplift lives and stimulate local economic development, especially during the festive season.