Innovation born from adversity: The birth of the Calacazen Card

Confronting The Challenge

What do you do when you are faced with situations beyond your control?  When Taal Volcano erupted in February 2000, several towns in Batangas, particularly those near Taal Lake, like Calaca, were heavily impacted by ashfall and the threat of further volcanic activity. These towns suffered from widespread ashfall, disruption to agriculture, and serious health concerns, all of which had a profound effect on local communities and their livelihoods.

Shortly after the eruption, the world began to feel the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, after the virus rapidly spread across countries.

It was during these times when governments struggled to quickly and accurately distribute financial assistance, food relief, and medical supplies, especially to vulnerable populations. Traditional methods, like in-person applications and paper-based systems, were slow and prone to errors.

Calaca was not immune to these immense challenges, and meeting the needs of its citizens was of paramount importance for its local government leaders. This gave birth to the solution of developing an integrated Calacazen Card that would address the need for convenient delivery of aid, as well as allowing the local government of Calaca to account for its citizens who may have been gravely affected by these crisis events.

During disasters, having a citizen card can play a crucial role in facilitating access to financial aid and other emergency support services. It allows the local government unit to:

• Confirm citizen identity. In emergencies, it allows authorities to quickly verify who you are and if you’re eligible for help. Without it, you may have trouble accessing aid, relief supplies, or evacuation services.
• Use citizen cards to register people that link to digital systems, making the delivery of social services faster while reducing fraud.
• Faster aid delivery. A citizen card streamlines compliance for support, bypassing the lengthy bureaucratic processes usually required by LGUs and ensuring quicker access to essential assistance.

• Some citizen cards are tied to social welfare systems or emergency funds that are automatically activated during disasters. For example, if you lose your home or income due to a disaster, the government may issue emergency financial support directly to individuals with citizen cards.

• Allows segmentation since certain disaster relief programs may be targeted at specific groups (e.g., seniors, low-income families, displaced individuals, or persons with disabilities). The citizen card may contain relevant information, making it easier for authorities to ensure you’re directed to the right type of assistance.
• In addition to financial aid, a citizen card can help you gain access to a range of public services that may be vital during a disaster, such as temporary shelter, medical care, and legal assistance. Having this card can ensure that you’re included in relief efforts and receive essential services.

The Dawn of Modern Public Service

The Calacazen Card reflects Mayor Nas Ona’s vision to provide a seamless, integrated solution for delivering aid to Calacazens. Inspired by global trends in digital IDs and e-governance, he recognized the growing adoption of smartcards for efficient identity verification and service tracking. After Calaca gained city status in 2022, the local government began developing its own system, drawing from successful models worldwide. During the launch of the card, he stressed that, “Walang imposible pag hawak mo na ang Calacazen Card dahil  ito ay hindi lamang isang piraso ng pagkakakilanlan—ito ay isang pangako sa ating mga kababayan na sa oras ng pangangailangan, magkakaisa tayo sa isang sistema na nagsisilbi, nagpoprotekta, at nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa bawat mamamayan na makamit ang mga pangunahing serbisyo.”

With a clear vision, Calaca collaborated with financial technology expert USSC, which is a Filipino company that provides money transfer, bill payment, and other fintech services nationwide. Calaca is also partnering with the Development Bank of the Philippines to support its banking requirements. Both are regulated and authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as financial change agents driving digital banking inclusion. Another partner is Pinnacle Technologies, which is developing the system and hardware infrastructure for the Calacazen Card. Calaca launched a pilot program to test the card’s effectiveness and address any potential challenges among its educational scholars who are receiving aid for their college education. 

Calaca is also aware of challenges like privacy concerns, public adoption rate, and implementation costs. In developing the system, they have built measures of transparency in data handling and security. They are also educating the public on the card’s benefits, especially in emergencies while collaborating with local stakeholders to secure funding and policy support for a seamless rollout.

Recognizing the rapidly changing nature of technology and the needs of citizens, Calaca ensures that the Calacazen Card system remains flexible and evolutionary. By integrating feedback loops, public consultation, and continuous upgrades, the Calacazen Card could stay relevant and effective in the face of future challenges, whether in normal times or during a disaster.

Charting the Path Ahead

The Calacazen Card is a game-changer. With its completion and integration in the coming year, with foresight, collaboration, and a focus on citizen empowerment, Calaca City is transforming a complex problem into an innovative solution that benefits society at large. The Calacazen Card became not just a piece of plastic but a symbol of the future—secure, inclusive, and resilient in the face of any challenge.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by Ecosphere.

Read more stories here:

Diverse lifestyles shine in Greenfield District’s Celebrity Wellness Weekend

Life below the surface at Therma Visayas

Pioneer anchors Platinum Year milestone to its enduring culture and values