A look back at the events that shaped Valenzuela City in the past year. All photographs courtesy of Photo Documentation Unit of the City Public Information Office.

 

BUSTED! The City Government of Valenzuela, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police seize 37 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as shabu, in a drug bust operation along Lawang Bato Service Road in Barangay Lawang Bato on January 12, 2016. The illegal drugs were found in compartments under wooden crates containing factory machineries. Two Chinese-Filipinos were arrested. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

SPECIAL CRADLE Mayor REX Gatchalian visits the simulation room of the Valenzuela Special Education (ValSPED) during its inauguration and blessing ceremonies on January 22, 2016. ValSPED is the first locally funded special education center in the Philippines, located in Barangay Malinta, along MacArthur Highway, Valenzuela City. The four-story structure has rooms for allied medical services, early intervention, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, assessment therapy; classrooms, computer laboratory, play areas, simulation rooms for job skill transition program, library, administration office, conference room, cafeteria and pantry, handicraft room, laundry room, and roof deck. The ramps and elevator also make it accessible to persons with disabilities. The ValSPED is part of the city government’s Education 360° Investment Program, a holistic and systemic approach to improving the quality of basic education. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

A NEW BEGINNING Some of the tenants of the newly inaugurated New Marulas Public Market pose for pictures during the inauguration on February 1, 2016. The 1,272 square-meter, two-story market is the first in Valenzuela to have been built as a joint venture project. It is a property of the city government that will be managed by private developer Megabuild JPG for 25 years. The 400 stores in the market offer a wide range of goods, including fish and meat, vegetables, fruits, coconuts, eggs, groceries. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

STUCKED Valenzuela Traffic Management Division personnel attach wheel clamps to a truck parked indiscriminately along C5 Road in Barangay Ugong on the night of February 4, 2016. City Ordinance No. 202, Series of 2015, also known as Wheel Clamp Ordinance for Trucks and the Likes, authorizes the city government to install wheel clamps or tire locks on vehicles parked in places where they block traffic. The driver or owner of the vehicle faces Php5,000 fine. Anyone who tries to remove the clamps faces Php5,000 fine or one-month imprisonment or both. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

PENANCE Penitents flagellate themselves as part of Lenten penance in Barangay Malinta on March 25, 2016. The Roman Catholic Church discourages flagellation and other extreme acts of penance, but devout Filipino Catholics see these as a means of atoning for their sins. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

DISASTER RESPONSE The Disaster Preparedness Building at the ALERT (Allied Local Evacuation and Emergency Response Teams) Center compound in Barangay Malinta was opened on May 6, 2016. The ALERT Center aims to bring together all emergency and disaster offices and frontliners in one complex to deliver quick response during times of calamity in Valenzuela. The Center houses the Valenzuela City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (VCDRRMO), Valenzuela City Command and Coordinating Center (VC-C3) -- which oversees the citywide CCTV system and satellite hubs for the Office of the City Mayor--City Social Welfare and Development Office and the City Public Information Office. The DPO Building has cold and normal room temperature storage space for safekeeping food and non-food items, sleeping quarters for personnel getting ready for disaster response operations, and conference rooms for assessment meetings before, during and after disasters. The ALERT Center will be the brain of the disaster preparedness and response operations of the city through its Incident Management Team. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

NEW AMBULANCES City Mayor REX Gatchalian takes a photo opportunity with Nissan North EDSA executives during the ceremonial turnover of 44 new ambulances to the city government on May 6, 2016. The new ambulances were distributed to the 33 barangays in the city. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

VALENZUELA’S FIRST SENATOR Senator-elect WIN Gatchalian takes oath at the Amphitheater of the Valenzuela City People’s Park in Barangay Karuhatan on June 30, 2016. The oath was administered by Poblacion barangay captain John Arenas and witnessed by the senator’s family-- brother City Mayor REX Gatchalian, mother Dee Hua–Gatchalian and aunt Elvira Ting. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

EID AL-FITR Two boys stand amid people praying during the Eid al-Fitr prayer gathering at the Aero Circle of the Valenzuela City People’s Park on July 6, 2016. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

VALENZUELA MAKES WAVES AT SURGE. City Mayor REX Gatchalian presents the 3S (Simple, Speed, Service Excellence) Plus in Public Service Program before international and local government leaders during the International Conference on Urban Development: Accelerating Resilience and Inclusive Growth at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City on July 12, 2016. Organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of its Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) project, the conference discussed the urbanization challenges of the emerging secondary cities in the Philippines. More than 1,200 experts, business leaders, change makers in government, donor agencies, professional organizations, civil society organizations and students of urban development attended the conference. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

DRUG TEST The City Government of Valenzuela, through the City Health Department and Human Resource and Management Office, administers mandatory drug testing to all officials and employees of City Hall on July 25, 2016. City Mayor REX Gatchalian is the first to submit himself to the test. PHOTO BY KING AL MENDOZA

 

90-DAY CHALLENGE Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian leads the signing of the Manifest of Commitment during the launch of the city government’s anti-illegal drug campaign Valenzuelano Ayaw sa Droga (VAD) at the Valenzuela City Social Hall on August 8, 2016. The campaign complements the local police’s Project Double Barrel – the combination of Project Tokhang and Project HVT/LVT (High Value Target/Low Value Target). VAD is a four-phase action plan (preparation, clearing, development and monitoring and assessment) to make Valenzuela City a drug-free city in 90 days. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

 

SHOW AND TELL Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian shows the 3S Plus Electronic Terminal, the country’s first fully automated building and construction permit application system, to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno in the Office of the Building Official at City Hall on August 10, 2016. That day, a consultative meeting was conducted and the local chief executive showcased the projects comprising the 3S (Simple, Speed, Service Excellence) Plus in Public Service Program: a streamlined business permitting process; use of a Geographical Information System for real property assessment; complete online and electronic payment systems; 3S Plus Automated Building and Construction Permits Application System;  Online Business Permit Billing and Payment System;  e-Cedula; ValenzuelaTrabaho, a job-matching website; Online Police Clearance Application System, the first of its kind in the country; GIS for Business Permits; and  3S (Sentro ng Sama-samang Serbisyo) Centers, “little city halls” located in strategic places in the city to bring government services closer to the people. Secretary Sueno said he would seek the help of Mayor REX in drafting a new memorandum circular on streamlining business processes in local governments. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

POKÉMON GO KNOWS NO AGE Former Valenzuela City Councilor Elizabeth Chongco  plays Pokémon Go at City Hall on August 11, 2016. Pokémon Go is a free game app that uses augmented reality, demanding players to physically go around their environment to search for and catch Pokémons, or animated cartoon monsters, using their smartphones. Based on a popular Japanese animated show in the late 1990s, Pokémon Go was released in the Philippines on August 6. It is available in 15 Asia-Pacific countries. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

ONE TOUCH Mayor REX Gatchalian meets Princess Jelyn Reyes, 4, during his visit to Valenzuela National High School, one of the designated evacuation centers in the city for the victims of flooding caused by heavy rains generated by the southwest monsoon in Barangay Marulas on August 13, 2016. Princess has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and she is now on the home care program for people with disabilities of the City Social Welfare and Development Office. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

‘RED BOYS’ BASIC MOTORCYCLE RIDING COURSE Fourteen traffic management officers from the Valenzuela City Traffic Management Division undergo final check-out at the City External Services Office Training Center on August 18, 2016, as part of their 15-day Basic Motorcycle Riding Course. The training seeks to professionalize TMD personnel in driving. The equipping course includes defensive driving, escorting, parade and other disciplines. The Class Magiting – Batch 8 is trained by senior TMD officers headed by Mr. Mario Dulap. PHOTO BY KING AL MENDOZA

 

 

RAIN OR SHINE One hundred-one newly assigned police officers line up in front of the Valenzuela City Police Station on a rainy day, August 25, 2016, to report to Valenzuela City Police Chief P/SSupt. Ronaldo R. Mendoza. The contingent came from the Regional Public Safety Battalion - National Capital Region Police Office (RPSB - NCRPO) on the request of Valenzuela police. The law enforcers consist of 10 female and 91 male officers ranked police officer 1 (PO1). They will be deployed to the 12 police community precincts in the city. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

LITTLE ANGEL Baby Jade is being observed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Diliman, Quezon City, on September 2, 2016. Baby Jade is the newborn baby found alive in a plastic bag thrown into a trash bin inside Jade Garden Townhomes, an exclusive gated community at Don Pedro, Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City on August 25, 2016. The Valenzuela City Police, on September 1, 2016, arrested Baby Jane’s mother, Geralyn Batugon, and was charged with Parricide.  Baby Jade died at 4 a.m. on September 10, 2016.  PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

‘POKÉ PARK’ Life-size “Pokémon” standees are installed at Valenzuela City People’s Park on September 19, 2016, for picture-taking with visitors. The 1.3-hectare park has three “pokéstops” located at the marker,  amphitheater and  Gazeebo beside the Senior’s Park where "Pokémon Go" app players prowl. PHOTO BY RESTY CASTRO

 

BEEFING UP ALS Youngsters meet Mr. Tokbuk, the mascot of the City Government of Valenzuela’s Project Tokbuk, during its kick-off in Barangay Canumay East on November 11, 2016. More than 3,400 out-of-school youths (OSY) listed in the 2016 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) were tracked down by the Instructional Managers (IMs) to sign them up to the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS). Under Project Tokbuk, ALS learners are assured of free school supplies, modules and food allowance. This project is part of the city government's Education 360° Investment Program that aims to strengthen the quality of education in the city. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

BREAD OF LIFE Students and parishioners dance in the streets of Polo and other surrounding villages in honor of the patron saint San Diego de Alcala, during the Bread and Flower Festival on November 12, 2016. Bread and flowers are regarded as symbols of the saint’s good deeds for the poor. The feast day coincides with the city’s 393^rd founding anniversary. PHOTO BY KING AL MENDOZA

 

NEW PLV MAYSAN CAMPUS The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela - Maysan Campus is rising in Barangay Maysan, Valenzuela City. This picture was taken on October 29, 2016. The 1.6 -hectare is expected to be fully operational early in 2017. The PLV Maysan campus consists of three buildings with hi-tech amenities and computer engineering laboratories. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

OLDIES BUT GOODIES The Office of Senior Citizen’s Affairs celebrates Elderly Filipino Month with a Kundiman Choir Competition at the City Auditorium in Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City, on October 13, 2016. Six groups from six barangays in the city took part in the event. The grand champion, Barangay Malanday, took home a cash prize of Php10,000 while the second placer, Barangay Mabolo, and the third placer, Barangay Bignay, took home Php7,000 and Php5,000, respectively. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

CARE COMES IN A BAG Ana Albayana, 70, a resident of Barangay Malinta, receives a Go Bag from the Home Care volunteers of the City Social Welfare and Development Office on October 14, 2016. Home Care volunteers are trained to care for  elderly people  and persons with disabilities. Go Bag Aides contain sphygmomanometer, nebulizer and medical supplies. The volunteers also give hygiene kits to  bedridden seniors. The kits also contain flashlight and whistle, which are useful in cases of emergency. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

A BETTER LIFE AHEAD Mayor REX Gatchalian talks to some of the 199 drug dependents at the City Social Hall on October 17, 2016. Mayor REX assured them of a better life after their six-month treatment at the Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center in Magalang, Pampanga. Valenzuela City is the first local government in the country to sponsor drug dependents for rehabilitation of this magnitude. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

BREATH-TAKING Mt. Arayat, seen from the Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center in Magalang, Pampanga, on October 17, 2016. The City Government of Valenzuela, through its VC Cares Plus Program, has sent 199 drug dependents at the CLDRC for treatment and rehabilitation. During the briefing before the send-off, City Mayor REX Gatchalian claimed responsibility for the lives of the Oplan Tokhang surrenderees who were ordered by the Regional Trial Court to undergo rehabilitation due to severe drug addiction. Valenzuela City is the first local government in the country to sponsor drug dependents for rehabilitation of this magnitude. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

THE BIG MOVE The City Housing and Resettlement Office starts relocating 76 informal settler families (ISF’s) from Gismara, Dulong Marcos and Dulong Carnation in Barangay Malinta to Disiplina Village – Bignay on November 21, 2016. According to HRO Head, Elenita Reyes, the first batch, composed of 864 ISFs, were to be relocated by December 12, 2016. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

A BIGGER PLACE TO RUN Youngsters who used live under the bridge in Gismara, Barangay Malinta, play on their first day in the Disiplina Village – Bignay in Sitio Gulod, Baranga. Bignay, on November 21, 2016. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

SELFIE WITH THE SENATOR Senator WIN Gatchalian poses for a selfie with some of Grade 4 pupils during the launching of the second season of the Valenzuela City Little League at Valenzuela Astrodome on November 30, 2016. Run in collaboration with the Division of City Schools Valenzuela and Synergeia Foundation, the first softball-baseball league in the city aims to teach important personal and social values through sports to an estimated 4,600 Grade 3 and Grade 4 pupils and to provide them with a developmental form of recreation together with their parents. PHOTO BY RESTY CASTRO

 

A NEW HOPE Barangay Malanday officials conduct the Community Wellness Program in Malanday 3S Center Covered Court on December 11, 2016. The six-month program, spearheaded by the Valenzuela Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC), aims to help drug surrenderees be reintegrated to their communities and encourages them to renounce their drug addiction. The Community Wellness Program includes trainings, seminars, spiritual development and other hands-on activities like zumba. The Community Wellness Program is part of the VC Cares Plus, a comprehensive antidrug abuse support program of Valenzuela City. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

DISIPLINA VILLAGE BIGNAY The City Government of Valenzuela inaugurates 864 housing units at the new Disiplina Village Bignay in Sitio Gulod, Barangay Bignay on December 15, 2016. Disiplina Village is the biggest in-city low-rise building relocation project in the Philippines today. It will accommodate 3,834 families from informal settler communities living along the Tullahan River and other waterways in the city. These areas have been identified as “danger zones” where residents run the risk of being washed away by overflows during typhoons. The city government funded the acquisition of 11.6 hectares of land while the National Housing Authority (NHA) provided Php1.2 billion for the construction. During the event, the Disiplina Village Elementary School, Disiplina Village High School and Disiplina Village Bignay Covered Court were also inaugurated. PHOTO BY RODRIGO DE GUZMAN

 

JUST A KISS Mayor REX Gatchalian receives a kiss during a selfie with one of the beneficiaries of the Disiplina Village – Bignay during its inauguration on December 15, 2016. PHOTO BY KING AL MENDOZA