Good Governance & Transparency in debt-free QC — TUNAY NA MAIPAGMAMALAKI!

“Today, we stand on the fragments of our founder’s dream—building something much bigger than ourselves. Quezon City is the leading LGU in the entire country—setting the direction for the rest tofollow. Mula sa pagiging Capital City ng dating republika, buong pagmamalaki nating masasabi na ngayon, tayo naman ay nagsisilbing undisputed model city para sa buong bansa.”

On Quezon City's 87th founding anniversary, Mayor Joy Belmonte looked back at President Manuel L. Quezon's vision of a Garden City and “City of Man,” where green spaces, affordable housing, and opportunities would serve ordinary citizens. In her eighth SOCA on Oct. 19, 2026, she connected that unfinished vision with her administration's record since 2019.

1. Stronger Finances, Expanded Services Quezon City's 2026 budget

exceeded ₱45.5 billion, double the approved budget when Belmonte took office. More than half is allocated to education, health, housing, and social welfare. She proposed ₱48.5 billion for 2027, saying the City had neither imposed additional taxes nor incurred debt under her administration. Locally sourced revenues increased from ₱19.3 billion in 2019 to ₱28.4 billion in 2025. The City also received six consecutive unqualified opinions from the Commission on Audit.

2. Housing and Security of Tenure

More than 34,000 families have gained security of tenure since 2019, Belmonte reported. Construction continues on QCitizen Homes and other housing projects. Urban Deca Tower D in Barangay Commonwealth, with more than 1,000 units, is scheduled for turnover before yearend. The City acquired 22 properties for its Direct Sale program and aims to relocate 195 families living beneath bridges by 2027.

3. Welfare for Vulnerable QCitizens

With more than 420,000 registered senior citizens, the City doubled the number of qualified elderly residents receiving social welfare assistance this year. It also introduced ₱10,000 assistance for qualified indigent residents with chronic illnesses. The Kabahagi Center has served over 13,000 children with disabilities since 2018. Six Child Minding Centers assist working parents, while education and livelihood programs support persons deprived of liberty

4. Healthcare Within Reach

The City allocated ₱5.5 billion for health services in 2026 and approved ₱36 million in cancer care funding for next year. Since 2024, over 129,000 breast cancer examinations and approximately 40,000 cervical cancer screenings have been conducted. All city health centers are PhilHealth YAKAPaccredited, while more than 500,000 QCitizens are registered with City-led and private providers. Benefits include free consultations, tests, cancer screenings, and access to up to ₱20,000 worth of essential medicines. Rehabilitation of 28 health centers and construction of a Quezon City General Hospital annex are targeted for completion next year.

5. Investing in Education Education

receives 15 percent of the City budget. Learning kits are being provided to around 400,000 public school learners. The supplemental monthly allowance for nationally paid teaching and nonteaching personnel will increase from ₱1,500 to ₱2,000 next year. Since 2019, the QC Scholarship Program has supported more than 60,000 scholars, with over 21,000 completing their studies. At Quezon City University, 45 percent of this year's graduates were firstgeneration college graduates.

6. A Growing Local Economy

Belmonte said Quezon City contributed ₱1.4 trillion, or around six percent of national GDP, in 2025. It has more than 70,000 registered businesses. Around 110,000 entrepreneurs have received assistance through capacity-building and business programs backed by ₱1.47 billion. City monitoring found 89 percent of Pangkabuhayang QC beneficiaries' businesses remained operational. Trade fairs and bazaars generated nearly ₱228 million in sales for local entrepreneurs.

7. New Approach to Flooding

The City's Drainage Master Plan responds to an estimated peak flood volume of 26 million cubic meters, of which traditional flood-control infrastructure could address only four percent. Project TERRA turns community spaces, including basketball courts, into rainwater detention facilities. Five additional integrated detention basins are under construction, alongside drainage improvements, retention ponds, and nature-based solutions

8. Public Spaces and Mobility

More than 370 parks and open spaces have been built or rehabilitated. QC ReVibe has rehabilitated 12.6 kilometers of sidewalks. Quezon Memorial Circle now includes tennis courts, a skatepark, and a dog park. The QCity Bus program operates 88 buses, including 16 fully electric units, across eight routes. Belmonte reported more than 51 million rides and potential commuter savings of up to ₱2,000 monthly.

9. A Greener, Climate-ready City

More than 600,000 trees have been planted, and the waste diversion rate has reached 70.2 percent. Trash to Cashback has recovered over one million kilograms of singleuse plastics and recyclables. Solar panels installed in 36 public facilities saved almost ₱14.8 million in utility bills during the first half of 2026. The City is drafting a Heat Resilience Framework, has reactivated its Task Force El Niño, and plans mobile water tankers and filtration units.

10. Digital and Participatory Governance

Mayor Belmonte reported a 96 percent overall client satisfaction rating as of June 2026. QC eServices offers 263 services, while Open Data and Open Infra dashboards make government information accessible. Since May, QC iReport received more than 5,000 reports, with an 82 percent resolution rate in under five months. Nearly 3,000 accredited civil society organizations participate in governance, while citywide participatory budgeting is targeted for 2028. Mayor Belmonte closed by urging residents to protect these gains and continue building a City where everyone lives with dignity and shares in progress. She framed her legacy around reforms meant to endure beyond the administration.