Mayor Joy Belmonte shares first year highlights in "Ulat sa Bayan"

Mayor Joy Belmonte’s first year at the helm of Quezon City was highlighted by various trials, as well as triumphs for Metro Manila’s largest city. Throughout this, Belmonte said that her administration has never lost track, and remained focused on working for the welfare of her constituents, as well as strengthening businesses and communities.

“For the past year, we as a city have had to face many different trials, challenges, and setbacks. But we remain focused, working towards inclusivity, growth, prosperity, and security for our residents, businesses, and communities,” Belmonte said in her Ulat sa Bayan, posted on the Quezon City Government Official Facebook Page.

A few months into her first term in 2019, Belmonte was able to effectively deal with the emergence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the city, as the deadly disease swept throughout the country and crippled the livestock industry. “Mabilis nating na-kontrol ang sakit na ito, at nakapagbigay tayo ng financial assistance sa mga apektadong hog raiser,” she said.

In the early months of 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic swept across the world, causing ripple effects across all sectors of society. In Metro Manila, Quezon City was the first local government to declare a state of calamity before enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was placed in Luzon and in other parts of the country. With Belmonte’s decisive action, the city’s 142 barangays were able to immediately address the needs of its citizens through their Quick Response Fund.

Belmonte said the city earmarked almost P7 billion for food packs, cash aid and other forms of assistance under its COVID Response program. “Kabilang na dito ang ‘Kalingang QC ‘ para sa ating vulnerable sectors katulad ng senior citizens, persons with disability, solo parents, lactating mothers, transport sector workers at market vendors.”

“The city also came up with its own Social Amelioration Program (SAP) for those who were excluded from the national government’s SAP program, and provided food assistance to residents of areas under special concern lockdown areas,” emphasized Belmonte.

The local government also allotted funds for decontamination efforts, accommodations, equipment, hazard pay for frontliners and test kits, quarantine facilities and hygiene kits for COVID-19 patients and additional equipment for city-run hospitals. As the city adjusts to the new normal, the local government has crafted a comprehensive recovery plan, including the allocation of P2.9 billion for the blended learning in public schools and universities in the city and stimulus packages to support the city’s micro and small entrepreneurs in this time of need. 

            

“We are also focusing on economic recovery.  Tayo ang unang lungsod na nagbuo ng P700 million economic stimulus package.  Bahagi nito ang wage-subsidy o ayuda ng LGU sa mga empleyado ng qualified micro and small businesses para matulungang maitaguyod ang kanlang mga nagosyo,” stated Belmonte.

With food security as a vital component in the city’s recovery plan, community farms have been established to complement food security needs. “We are turning idle lands into urban gardens where residents can plant and grow their own produce,” said Belmonte, adding that the city will also establish Mobile Soup Kitchen to provide nutritious food to the needy.

The city has also boosted its bike lane project, allocating 161 kilometers of road for the exclusive use of bicycle riders. “Isasabay ito sa ating pedestrianization project upang maging walkable at bike-able city ang QC. Ito rin ang ating paraan para makatulong maging mas madali ang pagpasok ng ating Qcitizens sa kanilang mga trabaho.”

”We are also transitioning and making online the different processes that used to require face-to-face interaction to make it easier and faster for businesses and the general public to engage with city hall,” said Belmonte.

The city’s unified ID system or QCitizen Card that will expand e-services to all residents is also in the pipeline. Belmonte also gave livelihood to tricycle and jeepney drivers who lost their source of income due to COVID-19 by connecting them to digital platforms Foodpanda and Lalamove for their delivery services.

As for the city’s workers, Belmonte has worked for the increase of their salary into minimum livable wage and provided them with permanent positions, especially those with contractual status for decades. 

”Alam po namin na hindi naging madali ang nakalipas na taon. Kaya kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong pakikipagtulungan at kooperasyon,” said Belmonte.

”I am proud of our accomplishments as a city, because these are the results of our collective efforts and commitment for positive change,” she ended. 

Human Nature partners with GET for public transportation COMET

Human Nature together with Global Electric Transportation (GET), launches COMET (City Optimized Managed Electric Transport) ,  the  zero emission and zero belching public transportation with 20 seats capacity is powered by lithium ion batteries. The launch was attended by Human Nature Vice President Dylan Wilk,  Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, GET Philippines President, Freddie Tinga and Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto last October 29, 2014 at the  Human Nature Head office, Commonwealth, QC.

QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte

In the past 6 years, Human Nature has tried to base every business decision on its Pro-Philippines, Pro-poor and Pro-environment promise. The company goes to great lengths to uphold these guiding principles – from its meticulous product development process, its development of farming communities in its supply chain, to fostering a corporate mindset that puts the needs of the poor at the top of its agenda.


The COMET is light years ahead of other mass transport vehicles. The COMET’s designated stops and terminals also make it safer for riders – gone are the days of running after jeepneys and getting rides in the middle of lanes. COMET riders will enjoy an added layer of security and ease – each unit comes equipped with a CCTV Camera, GPS and uses a cashless “Tap In, Tap Out” system.

The GET card

The partnership signifies another first for Human Nature: the roll out of “Goodness Riding”, its first transport ad campaign.

Human Nature has successfully avoided using ingredients which are harmful to humans or to the environment in its products. Most beauty brands feel it is too difficult to keep such a pledge and so do not even try. For Human Nature, it has certainly made life much more difficult, but their talented team of Filipino scientists have succeeded, winning awards from venerable institutions such as the World Economic Forum and recently being invited to share their social enterprise model at the World Entrepreneurship Forum in Lyon and World Forum in Lille, France. For a Filipino brand to be honored in France, a country more known for beauty products than any other country around the world; is truly a great distinction. Human Nature has proven that “Made in the Philippines” can mean world-class.

Dylan Wilk, Vice President of Human Nature says, “Human Nature was born because we believe that the Philippines can not only catch up, but can lead the world in many fields one day, even in science and technology. The COMET has the potential to transform Manila’s roads from noisy, polluted thoroughfares into peaceful, sleek 21st century streets of the future. They are a natural match for us. The COMET brings our pro-Philippines, pro-poor and pro-environment vision closer in every way, since even the drivers have guaranteed income and can earn far more than in a regular jeepney with COMET.”

Dylan Wilk and son

GandangKalikasan Inc. (GKI), the social enterprise behind the Human Nature brand, believes that technology should serve society’s most vulnerable and it teamed up with GET Philippines because it is a green company that puts the needs of the poor at the heart of their business.“We are very excited with this partnership with Human Nature because we share the same business approach: the triple bottom line -- People and Planet while maintaining enough Profit to ensure that the business continues to deliver good value to the community,” adds Freddie Tinga, President of GET Philippines.  

Tony Meloto, founder of GawadKalinga (GK) added, “If we want inclusive growth, we need to build the walangiwananeconomy where we leave no one behind,” he shares. Fresh from his stint at the World Forum Lille where he joined Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, Meloto believes companies like GET Philippines and Human Nature are transforming the Philippines, making it a hub for social entrepreneurship.“Solidarity in creating inclusive wealth is key to sustainable peace and prosperity.”

Gawad Kalinga's Tony Meloto

While GET Philippines is set on replacing 35,000 public utility jeepneys with the COMET within 5 to 7 years; it makes clear that it is not out to displace jeepney drivers and operators. GET has joined hands with jeepney associations and a transport group to meet their goal. Comet drivers will receive a monthly salary, health care, and social security. If medium is indeed message, then there is no better vehicle for Human Nature’s messages than the COMET.

Gerry's Open its Newest Branch at Ayala Fairview Terraces

Gerry’s recently opened at the 3rd level of Ayala Terraces in Fairview Quezon City.
With 17 years culinary experience the Filipino homegrown restaurant has become a food icon enjoyed by a variety of clientele.

The leading restaurant in the country is also set to open its branches at Robinson’s Place Tugegarao, Cagayan; Meycauayan, Isabela; Star Mall Cebu City; Fisher Mall, Quezon City; SM Sta Mesa, Manila; Aseana City Paranaque, and the province of Iligan in 2014. Gerry’s operates at least 60 branches in the country with overseas outlets in Singapore, Qatar and the U.S.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte (second from left) and Ms. Philippines Earth-Air 2013 Nancy Leonard (center) cut the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of Gerry's at the third level of Ayala Fairview Terraces in Quezon City. Also in photo are Gerry’s vice president for marketing Grace Apolinario (left); Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2013 Alma Casal (second from right) and Miss Philippines Earth-Fire 2013 Athina Karla Chia (right).

 A spacious al fresco dining awaits guests who wish to enjoy the view of the mall’s lush green settings.

 The new outlet has a wide dining area with a separate function room which can accommodate 60 guests – perfect for meetings, and celebrations of any occasion.

 Gerry’s enclosed bar area with a huge LED TV for the hippest music videos or favorite sports programs.