As 2025 enters its final stretch, the local government of Muntinlupa is wrapping up a year shaped by recovery, reform and preparation for long-term goals.

The city is known for earning national recognition, such as the Seal of Good Local Governance, nutrition awards, and financial management citations. However, Mayor Ruffy Biazon said in an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE that more meaningful accomplishments lie beneath the surface.

“Significant for us is laying the foundation toward becoming a smart city,” he said.

Biazon recalled that when he assumed office in 2022, the city was emerging from the pandemic just as the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” — marked by digital connectivity and data-driven systems — was taking hold.

In 2025, the city expanded free, citywide WiFi connectivity and began building the backbone for data-driven governance. At the center of this effort was the establishment of a secure and compliant citizen database. Muntinlupa became the first local government unit certified for full compliance with the Data Privacy Act.

“At the time we were certified, we were informed that we were the first LGU to certify compliance with the data privacy law. Not just the policy of data privacy protection, but we set up our organization to be able to respond to issues such as data breaches and disaster response,” Biazon said.

As 2026 approaches, the city is preparing to roll out the “Muntizen ID,” which is intended to serve as the core mechanism for gathering and linking citizen data across various services. This is a primary pillar of the city’s smart-city goals.

Other foundational efforts include the implementation of electronic medical records in barangay health centers, following significant city investment in IT infrastructure. Biazon cited the goal is to improve primary healthcare delivery while connecting it seamlessly to hospital-level services.

Efforts are also underway regarding climate resilience and disaster preparedness, including the formulation of a drainage master plan in partnership with the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute.

Starting with the basics

While long-term systems are being built, the mayor highlighted 2025’s improvements in essential services, particularly healthcare. Biazon recalled that at the start of his administration, the city hospital was struggling financially, operating as a local economic enterprise burdened by debt and limited capacity.

In response, the city government reverted the hospital to city management. This move enabled a recovery that included the introduction of patient relations services and the start of long-overdue infrastructure renovations.

This year also saw the procurement of new medical equipment, including a laparoscopic tower for minimally invasive surgeries, with more upgrades slated for 2026. Biazon said these efforts reflect the guiding principle of “FREE” public service: fast, responsive, effective and efficient.

The challenges ahead

Managing public expectations remains one of the city’s primary challenges, especially as social media accelerates concerns and comparisons between cities. Biazon cited that while constituents may see programs in neighboring areas, local governments differ in resources, which affects delivery.

“We need to make an effort to explain to our constituents why an expectation is not yet met at this time,” Biazon said.

Time and resource constraints also remain realities as the mayor stressed that even with initiatives in place, projects must navigate appropriation, procurement, and implementation phases.

Furthermore, Muntinlupa is classified as a middle- to lower-middle-income city compared to some of its wealthier Metro Manila neighbors.

Despite these hurdles, Biazon believes the year’s most important takeaway is the need to listen closely to the public.

“There may be varying sentiments... but whatever it is, it’s incumbent upon us to listen and then take action on what we hear,” said the mayor.

Looking ahead

As the city moves into the new year, the administration’s priorities remain anchored in education and health. In education, the city has launched a three-year learning recovery program called “Siklab Dunong” to address gaps revealed by recent assessments. Initial efforts focus on early literacy; currently, all first-grade teachers are undergoing reading instruction training at the Philippine Normal University.

The program will also address school infrastructure, classroom environments, nutrition, and the introduction of learning management systems to reduce teacher workloads.

Biazon urged residents to reflect with gratitude and a sense of shared responsibility and called for public support as the city prepares to roll out the Muntizen ID next year, encouraging everyone to register.

“The cooperation and support in programs like this are what we are asking from our fellow citizens so that we can collectively feel the fruits of our labor,” Biazon said.