Belmonte kicks off QC campaign; vows to continue graft-free governance

Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto greet QCitizens in their motorcade that covers all of the city’s six districts. QC photo

MANILA, Philippines — Kicking off her re-election bid, Mayor Joy Belmonte said Quezon City needs three more years of outstanding and corruption-free governance that she espoused in her first term in office.

“Ang kailangan ng ating lungsod ay lider na titiyaking hindi maibubulsa ang kabang bayan. Hindi corrupt. Ang pera ng taumbayan ay dapat ibinabalik sa taumbayan sa pamamagitan ng tapat na serbisyo,” Belmonte said in her grand rally at Quezon Memorial Circle that kicked off her campaign for a fresh term.

“Ang kailangan nating lider ay tapat sa tungkulin, matino, may talino, may pagmamalasakit at dedikasyon sa trabaho. Higit sa lahat ang kailangan nating lider hindi makasarili, hindi ganid, ang iniisip ay ang kapakanan lamang ng taongbayan. Bayan bago sarili,” she added.

Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and councilors during the start of the local campaign in Quezon City. QC photo

During her speech, Belmonte discussed her accomplishments she crafted to improve the lives of QCitizens and to further boost the city’s economy and development.

“Noong ako ay umupo noong 2019, naglatag tayo ng 14-point agenda na tututok sa ating mga pangunahing pangangailangan: malinis at tapat na pamamahala, maayos na serbisyo para sa taumbayan, at maunlad na sektor ng negosyo,” said Belmonte.

Six months into her tenure, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, but Belmonte was not deterred as she still pursued her original plans and programs while effectively addressing the pandemic.

“Hindi tayo nagpatinag. Aaminin ko, noong umpisa ng pandemya ay nangapa tayo, dahil sino ba ang nakapaghanda sa isang problemang ganyang katindi,” she said.

Mayor Joy Belmonte delivers her campaign speech at the Liwasang Aurora, QC Memorial Circle. QC photo

Due to her effective, efficient and transparent actions, the Quezon City government received an unqualified opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) for the first time in its history for its annual audit report for year 2020.

“Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa kasaysayan ng ating lungsod, kinilala ng COA na malinis, at walang bahid ng katiwalian sa Quezon City Hall. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay sinabi ng COA na katiwa-tiwala ang pamahalang Lungsod Quezon.,” Belmonte said.

“Ang mga negosyante, bumalik ang tiwala at kumpiyansa!! Kahit may pandemya at maraming negosyo ang nagsara, tumaas pa ang ating nakolektang buwis!” she added, referring to the city’s P22 billion revenue collection in 2020.

Quezon City also emerged as the richest LGU in 2029 with total assets of around P452 billion.

Aside from providing financial and other assistance to the residents during the pandemic, Belmonte said she also implemented some programs to help their livelihood, such as the Pangkabuhayang QC, Kalingang QC sa Negosyo and Tindahan ni Ate Joy.

Through Alagang QC, Belmonte also provided P500 weekly financial assistance for two months to those who lost their jobs during the pandemic while finding new employment.

“Tayo rin lang ang lungsod sa buong Pilipinas na may tulong sa mga nawalan o natanggal sa trabaho, mga nag-endo para maitaguyod ang kanilang pamilya habang naghahanap sila ng bagong trabaho,” said Belmonte.

She also started other programs such as Grow QC, scholarship programs for high school, vocational and post graduate students, super health centers, free rides through Q City Bus, Bahay Kanlungan for victims of domestic violence, and social welfare fund for solo parents, senior citizens and PWDs.

“Dito sa Lungsod Quezon, ‘pag sinabi nating aasenso ang lahat, totoong may programa at polisiya na nakalaan para sa lahat,” Belmonte emphasized.

Belmonte lauded her running mate, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, for being a dependable ally and for helping push her plans and programs for the city.

Belmonte also presented the entire Serbisyo sa Bayan (SBP) slate, led by running mate Vice Mayor Gian Sotto. Also in the slate are:

District 1: Congressman: Juan Carlos Atayde; Councilors: Alex Bernard Herrera, Dorothy Delarmente, Tany Joe Calalay, Oliviere Belmonte, Joseph Emilie Juico and Maria Concepcion Charmagne Ferrer.

District 2: Congressman: Ralph Tulfo; Councilors: Eden Delilah Medina, Fernando Miguel Belmonte, Godofredo Liban II, Ranulfo Ludovica, Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla, and Clark David Valmocina.

District 3: Congressman: Franz Pumaren; Councilors: Kate Abigael Coseteng, Wencerom Benedict Lagumbay, Jorge Banal Sr., Jose Mario Don De Leon, Albert Alvin Antonio III, and Robert Neil Pacheco.

District 4: Congressman: Jesus “Bong” Suntay; Councilors: Ma. Aurora Suntay, Irene Belmonte, Ivy Xenia Lagman, Hero Clarence Bautista, Janet Malaya, and Edgar Yap.

District 5: Congressman: Patrick Michael Vargas; Councilors: Alfred Paolo Vargas, Shaira Liban, Ramon Vicente Medalla, Joseph Visaya, Alfredo Roxas, and Jose Arnel Quebal.

District 6: Congressman: Marivic Co-Pilar; Councilors: Eric Medina, Emmanuel Banjo Pilar, Victor Bernardo, Kristine Alexia Matias, Maria Eleanor Juan, Victorio Manuel Sotto-Generoso.

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