Ian Paolo Villacencio

Quezon City and Naga may soon formalize a sister city partnership following a strategic meeting between Mayor Joy Belmonte and Naga’s incoming mayor, Leni Robredo.

Photo Courtesy of Facebook/Quezon City Government.

The two leaders convened at Quezon City Hall on June 4 to explore collaborative approaches to replicable governance innovations, signaling a potential alliance aimed at strengthening local development strategies.

In addition, the meeting also centered on urban housing policies and the delivery of essential public services—areas where Quezon City has implemented forward-thinking initiatives.

Robredo, set to become Naga’s first female mayor, engaged with Belmonte and city officials to explore how Quezon City's digitized governance framework could be adapted to benefit communities in Naga.

Key programs highlighted included the QCitizen ID system, digital platforms for city hall transactions, the creation of district action offices, and enhancements to public library and health department services. 

Naga's interest in these projects reflects a growing national trend of adopting smart city strategies at the local level.

The session also carried symbolic weight, representing a bridge between two cities with shared development goals and leaders known for their focus on inclusive, citizen-first policies.

Joining the discussions were top Quezon City officials, including City Administrator Mike Alimurung, Housing Chief Jojo Conejero, and Chief of Staff Rowena Macatao, alongside former lawmaker and Liberal Party member Kit Belmonte.

Belmonte, who won her third and final term as mayor in the May 13 elections, garnered 1,030,730 votes, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Meanwhile, with more than 84,000 votes, or more than 91 percent of the local vote, Robredo was declared the victor of the Naga mayoral race on the same day.

As local governments continue to assert their role in national transformation, the planned QC–Naga alliance could emerge as a model for decentralized innovation and inter-city solidarity across the Philippines.