Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte said Wednesday, June 29, the city government will focus on five major services to make the city more progressive.
In her inaugural speech, the lady mayor enumerated the five major thrusts that her administration will focus on in the next three years.
Expanding Social Services
Belmonte said that the local government will progressively increase the budget for the city’s social services.
“Nagsimula tayo sa 9.8 billion pesos na budget noong 2019. Ngayong 2022, halos doble ng budget na iyan ang inilaan natin para sa mga programang direktang sumasagot sa mga pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan (We started with a budget of P9.8 billion in 2019. This 2022, we have almost doubled that budget for programs that directly address the needs of the people),” she said.
“Our P16.1 billion budget for social services, which we intend to keep on increasing in the next three years, promises to be an inclusive social safety net for all marginalized and underprivileged sectors,” she added.
Transition from Offline to Online and Economic Development
The mayor said they automated almost 95% of the city’s services.
“Kung dati, analog at tradisyonal ang approach sa mga sistema at proseso ng lokal na pamahalaan, binago na natin ito simula nang tayo’y naupo. Ginawa nating makabago, mabilis, at epektibo ang lahat (Before, the local government used analog and traditional approaches in the systems and processes, but we have changed that since we started to serve the city. We made everything innovative, fast, and effective). We automated and digitized 95% of the city’s services through our QC E-services platform,” Belmonte said.
“Pinadali ang transaksyon. Walang pila. Walang fixers. Walang singitan, at dayaan (The transaction is simplified. There is no queue. No cheating. No fixers). All these efforts are geared towards enhancing ease of doing business and easing out corruption,” she explained.
The mayor also said that the city government provided financial grants to business models and livelihood trainings to aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Ang lahat ng programang nakatutok sa paglago ng negosyo ay naka-ugat sa ating paninindigan na kung maraming negosyo, mas maraming trabaho (All the programs intended for business growth is anchored on our stand that more businesses means more jobs),” Belmonte said.
Greening the City
Belmonte said they will continue to make more green spaces in the city such as an expanded bike lane network and pedestrian walkways.
The Quezon Memorial Circle will also undergo extensive redevelopment, and an elevated green promenade connecting the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife to Quezon Memorial Circle will be built.
She also said that the Amoranto Sports Complex is now undergoing renovation to be able to host sports competitions.
Building Infrastructure facilities of global standards
Belmonte shared that they started the QC Bus System, which services commuters around the city free of charge. It has eight routes for 100 buses.
“QC ang una at QC lang ang meron nito sa Metro Manila. We have safely and conveniently ferried more than five million passengers to and from their places of destination,” she said.
“To support our digital efforts, we now have 3,700 internet access points in public places as well as internet e-services kiosks in all our district offices and barangay halls to enable our citizens to access our online services,” she added.
Continuing Good Governance
Belmonte pledged to continue good governance in the city and assured that there will be no shortcuts and quick fixes.
“Corruption and inefficient service have been perceived as organic to city hall’s culture. This was a battle that we chose to wage, and our single-minded purpose was to ensure that no shortcuts and quick fixes would ever derail us,” Belmonte said.
“Kasabay nito, inilapit natin ang serbisyo sa mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng District Action Offices. Sa lawak ng ating lungsod, hindi na kailangang dumayo pa sa city hall para lang makaabot sa tao ang lahat ng benepisyo. Pinalakas pa natin ang ating Helpline 122 at ang Helpdesk sa ating official website para mas mapadali ang feedback mechanism at pag-report ng mga emergencies, reklamo, at iba pa,” she added.