City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete presented at the European Education and Leadership Summit in Paris last May 19, highlighting Malabon’s Ahon Blue Card (MABC) program and its transformation of social service delivery.
The MABC, launched in December 2022 as one of Mayor Jeannie Sandoval’s flagship initiatives, is a digital social welfare program providing efficient access to aid and essential services for residents.
In his presentation “From Policy to Progress: The Case of the Blue Card Supplemental Aid Program,” Dr. Rosete explained how the program streamlines community support services through a resident-focused approach.
“We started small—with a policy that aimed to organize and centralize our social assistance programs. But what began as a simple reform quickly evolved into a citywide digital transformation platform. Today, more than 91,000 families—that’s almost the entire population of Malabon—are registered in the Blue Card system,” said Dr. Rosete.
The program has expanded to include Burial and Hospitalization Assistance (P5,000 each), the Eskwela Savings Program for Grade 1 students, and support for solo mothers through MABC Para sa Mga Kababaihan, while distributing 12 tranches of aid so far.
“For many of our residents, the Blue Card is more than just a means to receive assistance. It is a symbol of belonging—a way to access services without having to plead, line up for hours, or explain their situation over and over again,” he added.
The fully digital system provides real-time data on assistance delivery, budget allocation, and identifies areas for service improvement, enhancing government accountability.
“More importantly, this data-driven approach allows us to build a sustainable system. A system that can outlast political cycles. A system that isn’t dependent on who holds office, but on the strength of its design and the commitment of the people who run it.”
During the Summit, Dr. Rosete received the European Excellence Award and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration and Leadership.
