The main graduation ceremony was held today, July 16, 2025, at the ALERT Multi-Purpose Center Hall, recognizing 297 completers from the regular ALS program, 33 at the elementary level and 264 at the junior high school level.

 

In addition, separate ceremonies were held on July 15 for ALS learners in specialized settings. At Balai Banyuhay, the city’s reformation center, 1 elementary and 7 junior high school learners completed their programs. At the Valenzuela City Jail, 1 elementary and 14 junior high school learners also graduated, marking an important milestone in their journey toward rehabilitation and reintegration.

 

The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a parallel learning system implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) to cater to out-of-school youth, adult learners, and others who may have been unable to finish basic education in a formal school setting. It offers flexible learning modalities, including face-to-face sessions, modular instruction, and digital learning.

 

In Valenzuela City, ALS implementation is supported by 79 ALS implementers across 47 Community Learning Centers located in different barangays. These centers serve as accessible venues for learning, empowering thousands of learners to complete their education and improve their opportunities in life and livelihood.

 

As Valenzuela City continues its commitment to the Valenzuelife campaign, initiatives like ALS remain a vital part of building an inclusive and empowering community where learning is lifelong, and no one is left behind.

 

###

Dr. Pio Valenzuela was a member of the Katipunan's triumvirate—the other two were Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto. From 1892 until the start of the revolution in 1896, he played a significant part in the Katipunan's expansion. Dr. Pio Valenzuela, an ilustrado with a bright future as a doctor, could have lived a comfortable life, but instead he joined the Katipunan revolutionaries—exhibiting such fervour, conviction, and selflessness.

Dr. Valenzuela served as the first mayor of the municipality of Polo—now Valenzuela City—under the American occupation. He became the governor of Bulacan province in 1919 and served in the office until 1925, when he left politics to focus on his career as a doctor.

The city of Valenzuela, which continues to thrive over time, does not forget its roots and always draws lessons from its vibrant history to use in its present predicament. In line with this, some of the city government's projects are even named after Dr. Pio Valenzuela—one of which is the Dr. Pio Valenzuela Scholarship Program. In this educational program, financial assistance is provided to students who hope to pursue higher education. The aim of the program is to provide a little relief to the Valenzuelanos by easing the financial strain of educational expenses.

Moreover, through the Gatchalians, Dr. Pio Valenzuela's ancestral house was preserved and converted to a museum, which now caters to people wanting to experience even just a glimpse of his life. The museum is open to the public. It features various artifacts, documents, and exhibits that celebrate the life of Dr. Valenzuela and the broader struggle for Philippine independence. Visitors can explore curated galleries that showcase personal memorabilia, photographs, medical tools used by Dr. Valenzuela, and reproductions of Katipunan literature for free. Each room is designed not only to educate but also to evoke a sense of pride and reflection.

Dr. Pio Valenzuela has had a significant impact on Valenzuela City, both historically through his contributions to the Philippine Revolution and in terms of the city's current identity and development. His dedication to fighting for independence, as well as his role inside the Katipunan, established him as a key figure in Philippine history. Through the renaming of Polo to Valenzuela, the people of the city ensured that his legacy would never be forgotten. Today, as Valenzuela City continues to grow, Dr. Valenzuela’s spirit of determination, service, and patriotism remains a guiding force, underscoring the importance of his role not only in the past but also in shaping the future of the city.

 

###

With a total budget of PhP 35,640,000, the initiative is a reflection of the city’s continuing commitment to its senior citizens, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a comfortable and dignified life. Beneficiaries include all senior citizens who were registered with the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) on or before April 30, 2025.

 

To ensure a smooth and organized implementation, rice gift vouchers were distributed house-to-house in advance by OSCA and barangay personnel. These vouchers indicate the date, time, and venue of the scheduled rice distribution, allowing beneficiaries and their families to prepare accordingly.

 

For senior citizens who may be unable to personally claim their rice packs, they may assign an authorized representative to claim on their behalf. The representative must present the Pasko sa Hulyo voucher, a valid ID of the claimant, an authorization letter signed by the senior citizen, and a valid OSCA-issued ID of the beneficiary.

 

The first day of distribution saw thousands of seniors and representatives gathered at designated barangay venues, many expressing gratitude for the city's continued support. With the assistance of OSCA, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, and barangay councils, each site was carefully organized to provide a safe and efficient distribution process.

 

Mayor WES Gatchalian reaffirmed the city’s unwavering support for its elderly population, stating that Pasko sa Hulyo is not just about giving rice, it is a sincere expression of the city’s gratitude for its Lolos and Lolas who have helped build Valenzuela into what it is today. Through programs like this, he added, the city continues to build a more compassionate and responsive government, where every Valenzuelano regardless of age, can live a secure, supported, and meaningful life.

 

Only senior citizens who are residing in Valenzuela City and officially registered with OSCA as of April 30, 2025 are eligible to receive the 10-kilogram rice gift under this year’s Pasko sa Hulyo. As the program continues in the coming days, it stands as another testament to the city’s promise of delivering progressive and inclusive service in line with the Valenzuelife campaign.

 

###

Mayor WES reported that the city’s health care is now guided by five focused agendas: availability of medicines, availability of doctors, affordability of health services, patient-centered care, and the improvement of health facilities. Under his leadership, the city increased its total health budget from PhP 88.7 million in 2024 to PhP 127.5 million in 2025, significantly enhancing access to essential medicines, especially for senior citizens who now receive a complete one-month supply of maintenance medicines for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol, antibiotics, and oral rehydration salts are now consistently available across all health centers.

The city also made major improvements in medical personnel deployment. From only 49 doctors in 2023, Valenzuela now has 82 doctors assigned full-time to health centers, exceeding the Department of Health’s standard of one physician per 20,000 population, with the city now achieving a ratio of one per 9,096. This expansion, complemented by increased numbers of nurses, dentists, and midwives, will drastically reduce wait times and ensure continuity of care in every barangay. Hiring continues for additional doctors, dentists, and support health staff.

Equally prioritized is affordability. Valenzuela City also continues to break barriers in access to health services by making all clinical laboratory tests and lying-in clinic services completely free of charge. This includes previously paid services such as urinalysis, complete blood count, normal delivery, and newborn screening. By removing these costs, the City ensures that no Valenzuelano is burdened with medical expenses at the most crucial moments, further reinforcing Mayor WES’ promise of health care without hassle or worry. In support of dignified treatment, health workers underwent the 3S in Public Service training — Service, Smile, and Sincerity — to reinforce patient-centered and courteous service. “Happy or Not” smiley feedback buttons were also introduced at health centers to directly gauge patient satisfaction and further improve service delivery.

Mayor WES also proudly reported the city’s aggressive health facility upgrades. From seven lying-in clinics, Valenzuela now has ten, with two more undergoing rehabilitation. Five new Sentro Health Hubs are set to rise in strategic barangays Mabolo, Karuhatan, Canumay West, Lawang Bato, and Mapulang Lupa, offering outpatient care, dental and maternal services, minor surgery, and basic laboratory testing, and will operate daily, including weekends and holidays. These hubs are complemented by renovations in existing facilities, such as improved waiting areas, fully air-conditioned hallways, and new dental chairs for 40 centers.

At the heart of the city’s health transformation is the soon-to-rise Valenzuela Health Ambulatory and Surgical Center, a PhP772 million three-storey, 16,000 square meter facility offering advanced ambulatory services, radiology, chemotherapy, physical therapy, women’s health care, and minor surgeries. Phase 1 is scheduled to open in June 2026, while Phase 2, a 100-bed Level 1 hospital, will begin construction in July 2026. This project is in partnership with AC Health and aims to provide specialized health services to more Valenzuelanos without the need to leave the city.

Beyond clinics, the City Government continues to support the health of public school students through mobile medical and dental vans, providing check-ups, medicines, and free eyeglasses for selected elementary pupils. Under the Workers Education and Skills Upgrade Program (WES-UP), over 600 Barangay Health Workers have already been certified by TESDA, elevating the standard of frontline health service delivery across communities.

“Health care na hindi hassle, serbisyo na walang kaba, ganyan sa Valenzuela,” Mayor WES declared, as he reaffirmed his commitment to building a health care system that leaves no one behind. The State of the Health Address underscored the City Government’s vision of progress that is inclusive, grounded on dignity, and responsive to the everyday needs of its people.

###

Prior to the oathtaking, the closing session of the 9th city council was also held, where a resolution was passed giving tribute to outgoing three-termer councilors Ramon Encarnacion and Ricar Enriquez, and to outgoing Vice Mayor and incoming second district Councilor  Lorie Natividad-Borja for their exemplary and unwavering dedication to delivering public service to every Valenzuelano for 9 years. A congratulatory resolution was also passed congratulating Mayor WES Gatchalian for his second term, Vice Mayor Marlon Alejandrino, and Congressmen Kenneth Gatchalian and Gerald Galang for their new post as the representative of the first and second congressional districts of Valenzuela City respectively.

 

In his message, Mayor WES expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Valenzuela for the trust they have once again given him and his team. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue the transformation of Valenzuela into a more responsive, inclusive, and liveable city. The mayor underscored that the next three years will serve as a fresh start, fresh mandate, and a boost of energy to build a foundation of efficient governance, to make the city a more liveable city. Guided by the principles of Valenzuelife, a vision of a livable and empowered Valenzuela for all, he promised to intensify efforts to bring quality services closer to every barangay and to ensure that no sector is left behind.

 

Joining Mayor WES in leading the city are newly elected Vice Mayor Marlon Alejandrino, First District Congressman Kenneth Gatchalian, and Second District Congressman Gerald Galang. They will serve alongside the twelve members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, composed of Cris Feliciano-Tan, Ghogo Deato-Lee, Atty. Richard Enriquez, Atty. Bimbo Dela Cruz, Kisha Ancheta, and Goyong Serrano from the First District; and Lorie Natividad-Borja, Niña Lopez, Sel Sabino-Sy, Chiqui Carreon, Mickey Pineda, and Louie Nolasco from the Second District. Together, this group of leaders will continue to work toward legislative measures and projects that support the city’s agenda in education, health, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development.

 

The oathtaking ceremony served not only as a formal transition of leadership but also as a reaffirmation of the city’s collective commitment to good governance. With a renewed mandate and a unified team at the helm, the City Government of Valenzuela looks forward to continuing its momentum of progress, innovation, and service, always in line with Valenzuelife and in service to every Pamilyang Valenzuelano.

 

###