Malabon City has recorded a sharp decline in poverty and sustained economic growth, earning recognition from national agencies as Mayor Jeannie Sandoval marked her first 100 days in office under a renewed term.
Data from the National Anti-Poverty Commission showed that Malabon’s poverty incidence dropped from 2.9 percent in 2021 to 1.5 percent in 2023 — equivalent to a reduction from 2,620 to 1,380 poor families.
The agency cited the city’s social welfare and livelihood programs, particularly the Malabon Ahon Blue Card (MABC), which has extended financial and social assistance to over 93,000 households.
The MABC program includes hospitalization and burial support, benefiting more than 1,700 recipients, and an E-Skwela Savings Program that has assisted over 3,400 Grade 1 students.
Complementing these efforts, the Department of Labor and Employment named the Malabon Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as the Best Local Government Implementing Unit of the DoLE Integrated Livelihood Program, which has provided livelihood aid to 219 residents.
In its latest report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) ranked Malabon as the second fastest-growing city in the National Capital Region, recording a 7.27-percent GDP growth rate in 2024 — higher than the NCR average of 5.6 percent.
Sandoval attributed the city’s gains to collective effort and consistent governance reforms. “Each day in public service is a chance to show compassion and deliver results,” she said.
Since July, the city government has rolled out social assistance to thousands of residents, including solo parents, senior citizens, and displaced workers.
More than 1,100 jobseekers joined city job fairs, with 200 hired on the spot, while nearly 1,000 residents received temporary employment through the TUPAD and SPES (Special Program for Employment of Students) programs.