Quezon City – Under the steadfast leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, Quezon City has solidified its position as a national benchmark for effective urban governance, marrying robust economic growth with expansive social services. Now serving her final term as the city’s 11th mayor, Belmonte’s data-driven leadership has catalyzed a remarkable transformation across the metropolis, turning it into a powerhouse of innovation and inclusivity. The city’s journey is marked by unprecedented budget growth, digital transformation, and a deepening commitment to citizen welfare, earning it numerous accolades including the prestigious Hall of Fame award as the Most Business-Friendly LGU. This comprehensive report details the multifaceted achievements of the Belmonte administration, illustrating how a philosophy of transparent, participatory governance has redefined the potential of local government in the Philippines.
Overall Vision and Leadership
- Foundational Philosophy: Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte’s administration is heavily rooted in the needs and wants of every QCitizen, operating on the conviction that “the people’s trust is the backbone of governance.” She has strengthened people’s participation by actively involving sectoral organizations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders in the governance process.
- Proven Leadership: First elected in 2019 and now serving her third and final term following a successful reelection in 2025, Belmonte has demonstrated resilient crisis management, notably guiding the city through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Her effective governance has earned her the position of National Chairperson of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) for 2025-2028, where she advocates for sustainable development and good governance nationwide.
- Strategic Framework: The administration’s direction is guided by a comprehensive 14-Point Agenda focusing on human and social services, economic development, environment and climate change, infrastructure, and institutional development. This is operationalized through Five Key Thrusts: Expanding Social Services, Transitioning from Offline to Online, Greening the City, Building Infrastructure Facilities of Global Standards, and Continuing Good Governance.
Finance and Governance
Transparency and Accountability Systems
- Internal Audit Service: Mayor Belmonte established the Internal Audit Service (IAS) under her office through Executive Order No. 01 Series of 2019. This independent body conducts compliance, management, and operations audits to evaluate internal control systems and ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and ethical standards across all city departments. The IAS mission is to provide the City Mayor with reliable audit information vital for decision-making to achieve good governance throughout the city.
- Open Government Partnership: Quezon City has committed to the Open Government Partnership (OGP), with Belmonte reinforcing reforms for “full transparency and good governance” in her final term. The city’s three-year OGP Local Action Plan aims to strengthen citizen participation by empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) and transforming “what was once a closed-door process into one where every voice matters.”
- Participatory Budgeting: In a groundbreaking move toward genuine transparency, the Belmonte administration has involved CSOs in participatory budgeting, with nearly P6 billion of the proposed 2026 budget undergoing sectoral scrutiny. This approach aims to make the “entire budget process fully transparent” and establishes CSOs as guardians of the city’s governance reforms.
Financial Management and Performance
*Table: Quezon City Budget Growth and Allocation (2019-2026)*
| Year | Total Budget | Key Allocations | Social Services Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | P21 billion | Not specified | Not specified |
| 2026 | P43.3 billion | 54% for education, healthcare, and housing | Significant portion |
- Budget Growth and Allocation: Quezon City has experienced remarkable fiscal growth under Belmonte’s administration, with the budget more than doubling from P21 billion in 2019 to a proposed P43.3 billion for 2026. A significant 54% of this budget is allocated to essential social services—education, health, and housing—reflecting the administration’s commitment to human development.
- Financial Recognition: The city’s financial management has earned consistent acclaim, receiving an “unqualified opinion” from the Commission on Audit for five consecutive years—the highest audit rating possible. Additionally, Quezon City has been awarded Hall of Fame status as the leading LGU in local revenue generation from 2020-2024, underscoring its exceptional fiscal performance.
- Revenue Collection Efficiency: The city has implemented innovative tax collection programs including real property tax amnesty and the digitalization of processes through platforms like iDeclare Easy. These initiatives have proven highly effective, generating P20.8 billion in collections from January to October 2025 alone, providing the necessary funds to fuel the city’s development agenda.
Economy and Business
Business-Friendly Environment
- National Recognition: Quezon City has achieved exceptional recognition as a Hall of Fame Awardee in the 2025 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) Awards by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). This distinction, reserved for local governments winning the award three times in five years, solidifies QC’s position as the country’s leading model for good governance and ease of doing business.
- Digital Transformation: Since 2019, the city has pursued an ambitious digital transformation agenda, becoming the first LGU in the Philippines to fully implement an end-to-end automated online business permitting system, including the issuance of electronic official receipts. These reforms have built investor confidence and empowered local enterprises in a business environment anchored on “ease, transparency, and accountability.”
- Economic Impact: The city’s business-friendly approach has yielded substantial results, with nearly 77,000 businesses registered in 2025 alone, creating an estimated 430,000 jobs for residents. Mayor Belmonte has emphasized that “progress becomes possible when we make it easy to do business,” a philosophy encapsulated in the city’s #BizIsEasy campaign.
Support for MSMEs and Cooperatives
- MSME Development: The administration has allocated P1.3 billion for small business development since 2020, assisting approximately 120,000 individuals through various entrepreneurship programs. These initiatives have demonstrated remarkable sustainability, with 85% of assisted businesses continuing operations, contributing to the city’s robust local economy.
- Program Diversity: Support programs include Tindahan ni Ate Joy, Lipad (Local Inclusiveness Project for the Advancement and Development)-Pinay Program, Artisan Academy, and Lazada E-commerce online selling training, designed to empower indigent women, those rehabilitated from drug abuse, and inmates seeking better lives upon release.
- Cooperative Development: Quezon City is recognized as having the most cooperatives in the country. The administration plans to establish a special cooperative for returning OFWs under the QC CARES program, further expanding economic opportunities for vulnerable sectors.
Social Services
Healthcare and Social Welfare
- Healthcare Investment: The city has allocated a substantial P5 billion budget for healthcare, enabling the expansion of programs like Yakap, which provides free screening and medicines. The city’s healthcare system has been designated as a “universal health care integration site,” recognizing its comprehensive approach to medical services.
- Specialized Health Initiatives: Quezon City has emerged as a national leader in specialized healthcare, passing the Integrated Cancer Control Ordinance and joining the global City Cancer Challenge network. The city has also established the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee to address the global threat of antimicrobial resistance through rational prescribing and use of antimicrobials.
- Support for Vulnerable Sectors: The administration has demonstrated particular commitment to vulnerable residents, issuing over 90,000 PWD IDs to facilitate access to assistance and equipment. The Burial Assistance Program has seen massive expansion from P2 million to P125 million, providing crucial support to families during times of loss.
Education and Scholarship
- Scholarship Programs: The Belmonte administration has dramatically expanded educational access, supporting over 50,000 Lungsod Iskolar since 2019 with plans to reach 80,000 scholars before the end of her term. The city has allocated P400 million for an expanded scholarship program in 2025, ensuring continued investment in human capital.
- QC University: The city’s educational crown jewel, QC University, provides free higher education to approximately 12,000 students, with more than half of graduates being first-time college graduates in their families, breaking cycles of educational limitation.
- Infrastructure and Recognition: The city has completed 458 infrastructure projects for public schools and received the Seal of Good Education Governance, validating its holistic approach to educational development. Additionally, UNESCO has recognized QC as one of 13 pilot cities worldwide for promoting critical thinking through Media and Information Literacy programs.
Mental Health and Public Safety
- Mental Health Support: The administration has significantly strengthened mental health services, enhancing the Helpline 122 to provide 24/7 psychosocial support and mental health first aid. This service has handled approximately 83,000 emergency and non-emergency calls in 2025 alone, addressing a critical need exacerbated by the pandemic.
- Public Safety: The city has allocated a substantial P1.6 billion budget for peace and order, including subsidies for the QCPD, contributing to a 25% reduction in crime in 2025 compared to the previous year. The administration has also implemented the “No Woman Left Behind” program at the female dormitory and plans to launch “No Juan Left Behind” for male persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Infrastructure and Urban Development
Housing and Public Spaces
- Housing Investment: The administration has prioritized shelter as a basic right, allocating nearly P5 billion (12% of the total budget) to housing programs. This investment is expected to provide housing for approximately 30,000 families before the end of the year, with a priority on in-city relocation to maintain community ties and employment access.
- Green Spaces: Since 2019, the city has established 101 parks as part of a broader initiative to increase green spaces by 5% by 2030. These efforts align with the administration’s commitment to creating a “livable, green and sustainable city” as outlined in Belmonte’s 14-point agenda.
- Walkability Initiatives: The QC Revive project has been implemented to transform areas like Tomas Morato into “walkable and pedestrian-friendly” spaces, enhancing urban livability and promoting sustainable transportation options.
Environmental Sustainability and Disaster Resilience
- Flood Control: The city has completed 181 flood mitigation projects, adding 122,000 cubic meters of drainage capacity to combat flooding. These efforts are complemented by collaboration with San Miguel Corporation for river dredging, taking a comprehensive approach to water management.
- Clean Energy and Transportation: The administration has embraced sustainable energy through solar panel installations on government buildings and the addition of eight electric buses to the Q-City Bus Program, reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
- Waste Reduction: The city has implemented a ban on single-use plastics in City Hall, resulting in a 25% reduction in waste. This is complemented by the “No Single-Use Plastic Bottles Policy” and initiatives like the QC Circularity Hub and Kilo’s QC Store for sustainable fashion and upcycling, which have created 58,600 “green jobs.”
Recognition and Awards
Table: Major Awards and Recognitions Received by Quezon City (2025)
As Mayor Joy Belmonte advances through her final term, Quezon City stands as a powerful testament to transformative leadership that successfully marries ambitious vision with practical governance. The city’s journey from a sprawling metropolis to a nationally recognized model of administrative excellence reveals the profound impact of Belmonte’s core philosophy: that “the people’s trust is the backbone of governance.”
The administration’s emphasis on transparency, evidenced by the pioneering Open Government Partnership and participatory budgeting, has rebuilt citizen trust while delivering tangible improvements across all sectors. From its record-breaking budget growth to its innovative social programs, Quezon City has demonstrated that good governance is not merely an abstract ideal but a practical framework for achieving inclusive development.
Perhaps most significantly, the multiple Hall of Fame awards and national recognitions the city has earned—particularly as a finalist for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities—validate not only the administration’s policies but its underlying commitment to creating a city that works for all residents, regardless of age, gender, or social class. As Belmonte herself has reflected, “Sometimes it feels like we have lived through several lifetimes over the past six years, especially because we pursued good governance at a time when good governance was the road less traveled. But we have proven that genuine change is possible when we muster the courage not only to be excellent but more importantly to be honest to the oath we have taken.”
The Quezon City story under Mayor Joy Belmonte ultimately illustrates how principled leadership, citizen-centric policies, and unwavering integrity can transform not just a city’s infrastructure and economy, but its very spirit—creating a community where progress is measured not just in pesos and projects, but in restored trust and realized potential.#
