Latest news with #JoyBelmonte
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
SM debuts biggest rooftop solar panel system at SM Fairview
In line with its 40th anniversary, SM Supermalls has unveiled the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system on a commercial building in the country at SM City Fairview, reinforcing its commitment toward environmental sustainability and corporate resilience. This is a significant contribution to SM Prime Holding's Net Zero 2040 goal. Front L-R: SM Supermalls VP for Mall Operations Engr. Junias Eusebio, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Quezon City District 5 Representative Patrick Michael Vargas, and SM SAVP for Mall Operations, Ronald Allan Brosas. Behind L-R: SM Supermalls EVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, SM Engineering Design & Development SVP Engr. Teodoro Bautista, Department of Energy – Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino, and SM Supermalls VP for Corporate Compliance, Engr. Liza Silerio. With a 3.785-Megawatt peak (MWp) solar power capacity, the SM City Fairview solar PV system has 6,882 solar modules over a total area of 4.3 hectares and an average annual solar production of up to 5,960-Megawatt-hour (MWh). This means that 11% of the mall's annual energy consumption will now come from the sun, which is equivalent to powering SM City Fairview's 44 escalators and all its mall and perimeter lights for up to two (2) and a half years. The mall ultimately offsets or prevents the release of 4,133 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere with every year of operations, supporting climate action and ensuring a more sustainable future for Filipinos. Top shot of SM City Fairview's solar PV system that features a 3.785-Megawatt peak (MWp) solar power capacity. The SM City Fairview solar PV system also contributes to the malls' program solar pipeline and SM Prime Holdings' Net Zero 2040 goal towards a significant reduction of the company's total carbon footprint. SM Prime's total rooftop solar capacity is currently at 73-MWp and will be further boosted up to 100-MWp by the end of the year. In partnership with Buskowitz Energy, this project enables SM to further reduce its carbon footprint and reliance on the national grid. It also supports the government's thrust towards renewable energy for the benefit of the environment. The first Philippine mall to have a rooftop solar PV installation was SM North EDSA in 2014 with a 1.5MW peak capacity. The installation at SM Fairview augments the rooftop solar PV system of SM City Santa Rosa, which was previously the largest installation with a 3.088MW peak capacity. Mr. Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee, is at the forefront of the property giant's sustainability programs - from energy demand management to potable water and wastewater management to solid waste management, which he has led for more than two decades. For more information, visit or follow SM Supermalls' official social media accounts. Editor's note: The article above is a sponsored press release from SM Prime Holdings.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
QC gov't suspends classes for 2025 SONA
All classes in public and private schools in Quezon City (QC) will be suspended on Monday, July 28, in view of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Under Executive Order (EO) No. 10 series of 2025, Mayor Joy Belmonte ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in QC amid the expected road closures for SONA, which is set to be delivered at the Batasang Pambansa Complex. Belmonte said the road closures will affect both motorists and the riding public. 'Classes shall be suspended in all levels tor both private and public schools in Quezon City in view of the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. All residents are enjoined to listen to the SONA of the President of the Republic of the Philippines,' the EO dated July 21 reads. 'The Office of the City Mayor, through the Philippine National Police, the City Department of Public Order and Safety, the City Traffic and Transport Department, City Task Force Disiplina, and all other implementing offices, as may be authorized, are hereby tasked to assist in the implementation of this order, and strictly adopt and implement security measures,' it added. Marcos Jr. is expected to deliver his fourth SONA on July 28. Earlier, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco isued a memo for the austere holding of the SONA amid the impact of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwast Monsoon or Habagat on the country. "There will be no staged ceremonies, fashion coverage, or photo setups in the red carpet area," read the memo. "Members are respectfully urged to avoid ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices," it added. The Senate will also not roll out the red carpet for the opening of the 20th Congress, according to Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero. Several parts of the country are still reeling from the effects of consecutive storms amid days of heavy rains. The reported death toll due to Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat has increased to 25 as of Friday morning. State weather bureau PAGASA, in a special outlook, forecast cloudy skies with rains over parts of the country, including Metro Manila on Monday. A state of calamity has also been declared in 84 cities and municipalities. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
QC passes Gender-Inclusive Health Ordinance
The local government of Quezon City is set to provide gender-affirming consultations and counseling, and mental health support to gender-diverse and transgender individuals, as part of the city's new Gender-Inclusive Health Ordinance. Under the ordinance, gender-affirming care will be integrated into programs such as HIV/AIDS prevention, disability services, and crisis support through the Quezon City Protection Center, along with the medical guidance and referrals to specialized services. It also mandates all public health facilities in the city to offer mental health support, and prohibits all forms of conversion therapy and practices that suppress sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), declaring them harmful and unlawful in the city. 'This groundbreaking ordinance reaffirms Quezon City's commitment to a healthcare system that is truly inclusive,' Mayor Joy Belmonte said in an emailed statement on Sunday. 'Every citizen deserves care that recognizes and respects who they are. With this legislation, we are ensuring that no one is left behind in our goal of achieving health equity,' she added. A technical working sub-committee under the leadership of the QC Pride Council will be formed for implementation of the ordinance, in coordination with the QC Gender and Development Council and District Pride Council. Health institutions such as the Quezon City Health Department, QC General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Rosario Macland Bautista General Hospital will lead in delivering and modeling the healthcare services. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are set to be developed within 60 days through consultations with the LGBTQIA+ groups, civil society organizations, and medical professionals. Quezon City in 2023 launched the 'Right to Care Card,' which allows LGBTQIA+ couples to make medical decisions on behalf of their partners. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Wanna learn Japanese? The Quezon City Public Library has free online classes
Did anybody say Konnichiwa? The Quezon City Public Library (QCPL) is once again offering free online Japanese language classes beginning on June 19. According to a press statement, the classes are designed for beginners and cover basic grammar, vocabulary, everyday greetings, as well as the basics of writing systems Katana and Hiragana. Classes will be led by instructors and trained volunteers from Jellyfish Education Philippines, Inc., which is QCPL's official partner since the program's launch in 2019. 'The QCPL's Free Online Language Class opens doors of opportunity for every QCitizen—reminding us that in Quezon City, learning knows no limits, and progress begins with knowledge,' QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said in the statement. The classes are free of charge but are limited to the first 500 participants. Interested parties must register through the Facebook page of QCPL. Once registered, they will receive a confirmation email. They must confirm their attendance within 24 hours otherwise, their slot will be given to the waitlisted. Since its 2019 start, the free Japanese language Program has already produced more than 3,500 graduates. It continues to be among the city's most in-demand learning programs. Apart from the two-hour class on June 19, there will be five more rounds of the free Japanese classes this year, according to the QCPL website. — LA, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
QC notes jump in HIV cases after logging 421 from Jan-May 2025
Quezon City on Sunday said it recorded 421 HIV cases from January to May 2025, 7.7% higher compared to the same period last year. In a statement, the Quezon City local government unit (LGU) said there were 391 HIV cases from January to May in 2024. '35% or 149 of those diagnosed with HIV this year are among the Young Key Population or aged between 15-24 years old, 40% of whom are students,' the Quezon City LGU said. The city said 21,000 people took HIV tests from January to May 2025. The LGU added that the 2025 figure is 16.7% higher compared to the same period in 2024, 22.5% more than in 2023, and 60% more than in 2022. 'We are strengthening our testing capacities so that we will be able to find those with HIV and link them to treatment,' Quezon City Epidemiologist Dr. Rolando Cruz said. 'More tests mean more people are aware of their status, and that allows us to respond faster. The first step in fighting any epidemic is information,' he added. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. It can be transmitted through an exchange of body fluids, including blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions. Addressing HIV cases in QC The Quezon City LGU has established several programs to address the increasing cases of HIV in the city of 3.318 million people. This includes the establishment of Social Hygiene and Sundown Clinics in five of its six districts and the opening of the Klinika Talipapa in District 6. These clinics offer free and confidential services such as HIV & AIDS testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), counseling, and testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections. Klinika Eastwood's 'Drive, Park, and Test' program also allows the public to receive testing from their vehicles. Meanwhile, the Quezon City Service Delivery Network (SDN) refers persons living with HIV (PLHIV) to testing centers and treatment hubs. It is an interconnected system of health facilities, community-based and non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups that helps People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in get the necessary services they need. 'The network supports psychosocial interventions, treatment adherence counseling, and community mobilization, especially in underserved and high-risk populations,' the LGU said. Together with AIDS Support House (HASH), the Quezon City Sangguniang Kabataan launched Hakdaw Kabataan, a program that trains youth leaders to be Community-Based HIV Screening Motivators that raise HIV awareness. 'In 2024, the program trained over 60 young volunteers and tested an impressive 1,940 individuals in the same year,' the Quezon City LGU said. 'With the significant increase of cases among ages 15 to 24, we make sure that all of them are receiving the treatment they need in our city's Social Hygiene Clinics,' Quezon Mayor Joy Belmonte said. Under the 'Bahagi Ka ng Solusyon' campaign, Quezon City residents were also called to actively participate in HIV and AIDS prevention. 'You are not just the most affected, you are also our most powerful weapon. By stepping up, speaking out, and getting tested, you are helping build a healthier, more livable, and stigma-free Quezon City,' Belmonte said. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
