Valenzuela City has been in a league of its own—establishing significant programs that cater to the interests of the Valenzuelano consumers. Some of these notable programs are the Bantay Presyo: Wet Markets and Retail Stores, Konsyumer Assembly sa Barangay, and Operation Timbangan.

Bantay Presyo: Wet Markets and Retail Stores

Bantay Presyo is the price monitoring program of the city to ensure that all the products in the market and retail stores are sold with fair, reasonable, and government-prescribed prices. This program guarantees fair pricing of essential goods such as rice, meat, vegetables, fish, canned goods, and other basic commodities. Furthermore, the initiative is to protect the consumers from unfair pricing and profiteering—particularly during national emergencies like inflation, disaster, or pandemic. 

Konsyumer Assembly sa Barangay

The Konsyumer Assembly is a series of community-based events or conferences organized at the barangay level, where Valenzuela residents are able to learn about their rights as consumers. These assemblies focus on educating people about consumer protection laws, fair trade practices, and how to address grievances with businesses.

In the course of the program, the residents attend workshops and seminars where they are educated about the laws, like the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Price Act, and Timbangan ng Bayan Act. The program forges stronger connections between the local government and the community, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard when it comes to consumer protection matters.

Operation Timbangan

• Pursuant to Ordinance No. 903, Series of 2021, also known as the New Market Code of Valenzuela City, public market vendors are obliged to make sure that their weighing scales are calibrated, properly sealed, and untampered. In this regard, consumers are allowed to verify the weight/scale. However, some markets have a designated Timbangan ng Bayan where they can double-check the goods they've purchased—and if anyone has observed tampering or suspicious scales, they may report it to the DTI Consumer Care Hotline (1-384) or the local consumer protection unit.

Valenzuela City has earned a reputation as one of the most consumer-friendly cities in Metro Manila, mainly because of its implemented programs that champion consumer welfare and protection. These initiatives—in efficient partnership with the DTI—aim to prioritize the betterment of the Valenzuelano consumers as well as magnify the significance of the roles that they play in the city's economy. 

The plaque of appreciation was received by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) - Consumer Unit. 

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The City of Valenzuela takes proactive measures in raising public awareness on the toxic chemical component lead (Pb) and its hazardous effects on health, especially on children. Lead poisoning is one of the most dangerous medical conditions, in which constant exposure to lead may lead to serious health complications and cause irreversible damage to the brain, nervous system, and overall development of a child. It is the imperative of the local government to ensure the public’s safety through monitoring the community’s lead contamination and alleviating any high-risk areas.

On October 17, 2025, the city government, through the Office of Councilor Niña Lopez, participated in the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which is an awareness campaign organized by Médecins du Monde, in partnership with the World Health Organization, the Department of Health, and Pure Earth Philippines. In this event, the common sources of lead, health risks, and implications were extensively discussed, along with preventive measures.

As part of strengthening the children’s protection against lead poisoning, the City Government has passed Ordinance No. 1279, Series of 2025, known as the “Lead Exposure Prevention and Child Protection Ordinance of 2025”, which is the first “lead monitoring-centered” ordinance to be passed in Asia. 

Provided in the ordinance is to clear out areas the safety hazards and high concentrations of lead, monitor the blood lead level (BLL) of the vulnerable population, such as children, through a BLL Test, promote a safe and lead-free environment through educational campaigns, and provide extensive medical and developmental interventions for those who are affected with lead poisoning. The implementation of BLL testing is focused on children residing near potential lead sources, including but not limited to informal recycling sites, households with lead-based paint, and areas with unknown industrial contamination.

It is also by virtue of the Ordinance which led to the creation of the “Lead-Free Task Force”, which is composed of representatives from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Department of Education — Division of City Schools - Valenzuela, Liga ng mga Barangay, and other accredited NGOs. This special force is tasked with overseeing and ensuring successful program implementation, coordinating inter-agency initiatives, and submitting reports on lead monitoring per barangay.

This day, the City Government of Valenzuela, through the Office of Councilor Niña Lopez, has received a donation from its partners at Pure Earth Philippines at the Valenzuela Special Education Center grounds. As part of the advocacy of upholding a secure environment through monitoring of lead exposure among children, the local government received one (1) Lead Care Analyzer, and two (2) Blood Lead Kits, which are the designated apparatus for testing blood lead level. The local government continuously worked hand-in-hand with Pure Earth Philippines in protecting the vulnerable sector and providing specialized medical care should they be afflicted with lead poisoning.

The City Government of Valenzuela goes above and beyond in safeguarding each children from endangered communities from health hazards; may it be from medical conditions that are deemed easily unnoticed such as lead poisoning.

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The participants of the conducted drill and simulation, under the provision of Executive Order (EO) No. 2025-257, are comprised of public and private schools, all barangays in the city, several private businesses, and other government agencies. Everyone applied the fundamental earthquake response principle of Duck-Cover-Hold while locating the nearest and safest areas to stay throughout the tremors. Also, Rescue personnel, including the city's disaster response teams, carried out search-and-rescue missions in controlled but realistic environments throughout the exercise's simulated situations. This highlighted the value of arm-in-arm coordination between the local government, first responders, and the community in addition to testing the efficiency of evacuation protocols, medical aid response, and communication systems.

In a brief public message, Mayor WES reassured that the city is well-equipped during these times of emergency. Furthermore, he also stressed that the city’s efforts in disaster preparedness were not merely a reaction to the recent earthquakes but were part of the unceasing commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of all the communities.

“We’ve been doing this, not only now na dahil marami pong lindol nitong nakaraang linggo at buwan, kundi dati na po nating pina-practice ang ating earthquake drill, ang preparasyon at kahandaan ng lahat ng kawani ng Valenzuela City—including all our satellite offices across the city,” he stated. [We've been doing this, not just now because there have been a series of earthquakes in the past weeks and months, but we've been practicing our earthquake drills, the preparation and readiness of all Valenzuela City employees—including all our satellite offices across the city—for a long time]

The city's preparedness doesn't end with mere drills and simulations. The city government also invests in maintaining a robust inventory of emergency equipment, including medical supplies, communication tools, and rescue gear. Additionally, durable and well-maintained response vehicles—such as ambulances, fire trucks, and rescue boats—are strategically positioned to allow mobility and rapid emergency response.

The Valenzuela City Government aims to build resilience among its citizens, ensuring that they are not only aware of safety protocols but also empowered to take action during an actual emergency. Also, the city will carry on with its information dissemination campaign to further raise awareness and foster readiness in the community.

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The recognition was conferred by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to honor Valenzuela City's continued excellence in promoting a competitive, inclusive, and innovation-driven local economy. This award follows the city's formal entry presentation led by Mayor WES Gatchalian on October 3, 2025, where Valenzuela showcased its dynamic strategies in fostering sustainable growth and ease of doing business.

Through flagship initiatives such as the Paspas Permit, which enables business registration in as fast as 10 seconds, and the newly launched V-Link platform, an online business registry connecting over 20,000 local enterprises, the city continues to redefine how local governments empower entrepreneurs. These efforts reflect Valenzuela's strong commitment to building a connected, future-ready business environment where local industries, MSMEs, and innovators can thrive.

Beyond technology-driven governance, Valenzuela also highlights its focus on inclusivity and resilience, anchored on flood mitigation programs, MSME empowerment, the Nano Entrepreneurship Registration and Support Ordinance, and community livelihood initiatives that strengthen the local economy from the ground up. The city's continuous investment in infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation further underscores its commitment to being not just business-friendly but people-centered.

Attending the event were officials from the PCCI, representatives from the national and local government, business chambers, and Valenzuela's local economic team led by the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) Head Ms. Janina Bautista, PIO Head Ms. Katrina Anne S. Bernardo-Balingit, and Councilors Chiqui Carreon and Louie Nolasco.

This latest achievement strengthens the Valenzuelife campaign, showcasing the city as a home for both enterprise and quality of life. Through innovative governance, sustainable development, and people-centered progress.

The Sentro Health Hubs are restructured and upgraded health centers designed to deliver expanded services to the public. Unlike regular centers, these facilities are uniquely open seven days a week, including holidays, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, ensuring uninterrupted and convenient access to medical services.

Each hub offers comprehensive services such as outpatient consultation, emergency and first aid, mother and child health care, dental services, diagnostic and laboratory services, a pharmacy corner, and even minor surgeries which are all geared towards providing affordable and dignified health care closer to every Pamilyang Valenzuelano.

Today’s inauguration is part of the City Government’s plan to establish a total of five Sentro Health Hubs strategically located in Barangays Mabolo, Mapulang Lupa, Lawang Bato, Karuhatan, and Canumay West. With the first two hubs now operational, three more will soon rise to cover more communities across the city.

Mayor WES emphasized that these hubs are part of the promises he laid out at the start of his second term, during the 2025 State of the Health Address (SOHA) last July 1, together with the deployment of more medical personnel to the barangays, the assurance of free medicine that shall cover one-month supply for basic illness for senior citizens, and the consistent availability of Over-the-Counter medicines across all health centers in the city.

Through initiatives like the Sentro Health Hubs, the City Government continues to fulfill its Valenzuelife vision of creating a liveable city where health care is responsive and available to each and every Pamilyang Valenzuelano, truly, Healthcare na hindi hassle!

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