MALABON City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete has showcased the city’s best practices in digital governance at the 17th International Conference on E-Education, E-Business, E-Management and E-Learning held in Japan from April 1 to 4, 2026.
Rosete delivered a presentation titled ‘Digitalizing Governance: Implementing a SMART City Framework for Enhanced Public Services and Citizen Engagement in Malabon,’ which highlighted how the integration of technology has strengthened the delivery of the city’s essential services.
He emphasized that a ‘smart city’ is not defined solely by advanced technologies, but by how effectively these innovations improve the lives of citizens.
For developing cities like Malabon, he noted that the real challenge lies in ensuring that digital solutions are people-centered, inclusive, and responsive.
“But more than systems or infrastructure, SMART cities are about people. Their success depends on how well they improve everyday life—making services faster, more transparent, and more accessible.”
In his presentation, Rosete highlighted key digital initiatives of the city government, including the Malabon Ahon Blue Card – a flagship program of Mayor Jeannie Sandoval that streamlines the delivery of social services.
The program also includes several sub-projects such as burial and hospitalization assistance, which has provided ₱8.6 million to 2,567 beneficiaries, the ‘Eskwela’ Savings Project, which extended ₱4.02 million in support to 4,022 Grade 1 students, the MABC for Working Students, which has granted ₱54,000 to 54 college students, and the ‘MABC para sa Kababaihan,’ which offers livelihood support to single mothers.
Also featured was the Malabon AHON 24/7 Alert Application, which enables residents to communicate directly with the city government during emergencies.
Another initiative he presented was the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop or EBOSS system, which allows business owners to renew permits and process taxes online, making transactions faster, more convenient, and more accessible.
He also highlighted the city’s implementation of the Procurement and Inventory Management System, which strengthens transparency and accountability by ensuring that government resources are properly tracked, managed, and accounted for.
“Despite these challenges, we can see the growing willingness of citizens to engage with digital platforms, presenting strong potential for continued innovation,” he added.
