The Malabon City government has has launched two new features of the Ahon Blue Card on Friday, Jan. 17.

“Dalawang taon matapos nating ilunsad ang programang Malabon Ahon Blue Card ay patuloy na dumarami ang mga pamilya na tumatangkilik rito.  Ito ay nagpakakita ng inyong suporta bilang kapwa Malabueno sa ating mga layunin, kagaya ng magbibigay ng ayuda sa mas maibilis at epektibong paraan. Kaya naman ngayon ay binuksan natig muli ang pagpaparehistro at ating dinagdagan ang mga benepisyo sa ilalim ng programang ito na alam nating makakatulong sa Malabueno ano mang edad o sektor, upang mas maraming kababayan natin ang magkaroon ng pagkakataon na umunlad ang buhay ("Two years after we launched the Malabon Ahon Blue Card program, the number of families enjoying it continues to increase.  This shows your support as fellow Malabuenos in our goals, as it will provide aid in a faster and more effective way. That is why today we have opened the registration again and we have increased the benefits under this program that we know will help Malabueno regardless of age or sector, so that more of our countrymen have the opportunity to flourish)," Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said.      

The "Eskwela Savings Program para sa Kinabukasan" ensures that all Grade 1 school children in the city, especially those from low-income families will have access to financial resources and support to pursue quality education by reducing educational disparities and fostering long-term economic resilience.

It aims to address challenges such as an increased number of school dropouts, low-income households, and lack of resources that limit children's ability to participate in academic activities and achieve their full potential fully.

According to the office head of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning  (MEAL) Office, Ms. Catherine Larracas, the MABC feature provides aid to 7,000 Grade 1 learners from private and public schools in the city.

The beneficiaries' households must be members of the MABC program for them to receive a P1,000 cash savings deposit and an ATM card.

The second new feature under the program is the "Malabon Ahon Blue Card Para Sa Kababihan" for women who serve as the head of their households. It aims to enhance their quality of life, foster economic growth, and contribute to the development of the local economy.

Individuals who will qualify for the program will get access to several benefits, including membership in community cooperatives, skills development training, livelihood starter kits, financial aid, and access to capital of P2 million, and strengthened marketing partnerships for them to be able to improve their livelihood and provide for their family.

MEAL also launched the five-day online registration for residents who want to be members of the MABC program on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Malabuenos can register through a link posted on the Malabon Ahon Blue Card Facebook page and must prepare a valid ID, preferably their voter's ID, that indicates that they are true residents of Malabon.

The city government is aiming to register 6,913 households until Jan. 18.