City Government of Malabon triumphs at GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025
The organisation was named the recipient of the Philippines Public Sector Initiative of the Year - Local Government accolade by the award-giving body.
The City Government of Malabon was lauded at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2025 for its Malabon Ahon Blue Card (MABC), an initiative deemed as a game-changer in delivering digital dignity.
The MABC, launched in 2022, provides easier and faster access to food, healthcare, education, and financial aid for thousands of families—without the need for a means test.
The MABC now reaches 96% of its target, with 90,069 out of 94,000 households enrolled. The programme has distributed over PHP425m worth of assistance to date, including support for 3,078 Grade 1 students, hospitalisation and burial aid, and livelihood programmes.
More than being an ID card, the MABC serves as a digital platform that removes barriers to access. Before its launch, residents had to navigate long and repetitive paperwork to apply for government aid. This new system brings simplification to the process, ensuring faster and more transparent delivery through a centralised digital database.
Designed with input from the community, including surveys and feedback from residents, the programme focusses on vulnerable groups like children and women-led households. These are made possible by partnering with barangay leaders, government financial institutions, tech partners, and various city departments such as Social Welfare and Cooperative Development.
Each MABC connects users to multiple social services, an approach that reduces the need to repeatedly prove eligibility. Moreover, the card is a tool that helps city officials track how aid is used. It also assists in improving planning and making better policy decisions based on real data.
The system also supports Malabon’s long-term economic health as it boosts household spending and encourages local businesses to take part in inclusive growth. With the continuous evolution of the programme, its strong digital backbone and collaborative approach make it ready for future challenges.
As the MABC visionary, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval is setting a national example—showing how cities can build smarter and more compassionate systems that truly put people first.
GovMedia Conference & Awards gives recognition to the trends and best practices that transform the public sector in the Asia Pacific. The awards programme promotes excellence and provides a platform for exemplary government initiatives.
The Gov Media Awards is presented by Gov Media Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's government projects and initiatives, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].
