SM City Valenzuela receives VALENZUELA CITY Go Green Award

VALENZUELA CITY, Philippines — SM City Valenzuela received a Go Green Award from the City Government of Valenzuela during the 2nd Valenzuela International Progress Summit (VIPS), recognizing the mall’s contribution to the city’s economic development and sustainability efforts.

Mall Manager Engr. Christian Bryan Umali accepted the award on behalf of SM City Valenzuela from Mayor Wes Gatchalian during the ceremony at the ALERT Multi-Purpose Hall.

The award was presented as the City Government of Valenzuela brought together business and industry stakeholders for discussions on sustainable growth, investment, innovation, and economic resilience. This year’s summit carried the theme, “Sustainable Cities, Inclusive Economies: Driving Innovation, Investment, and Resilience for Future-Ready Economies.”

The Go Green Award is part of the city government’s recognition of business and industry partners contributing to Valenzuela’s growth, development, and sustainability initiatives.

For SM City Valenzuela, the recognition highlights its participation in the city’s broader sustainability efforts and underscores the role of public-private partnerships in building a greener and more resilient urban community.

Unwrap Your 'Ber' Month Glow: Discover Your New Fave Skincare & Wellness Spots at SM City Valenzuela

The “Ber” months are here, and you know what that means. More parties, more reunions, more photos, and definitely more reasons to look and feel your best.

Good news: your next glow-up is just a few steps away.

Head to the 3rd Level of SM City Valenzuela and discover beauty and wellness spots that can take you from tired to totally refreshed. Whether you need a skin reset, fresh brows, smooth skin, pampered nails, a relaxing massage, or a brand-new hairstyle, consider this your sign to book that self-care day.

Glow Starts with Good Skin

For a complexion that says “I slept eight hours” even when you did not, start with Dermcare. Its menu goes beyond the usual facial, with options such as the Hydra Oxygen Facial, 4-Step Basic Diamond Peel, 8-Step Diamond Power Peel, acne treatments, brightening facials, and anti-aging therapies. It is a great pick when your skin needs a little extra polish before the holiday calendar gets busy.

For more targeted skin concerns, Dermstrata brings a variety of treatments that include 4D WAVE and DIODE+ laser hair removal, along with specialized programs for acne, anti-aging, brightening, and other skin concerns. It is worth considering if you want a more personalized approach to your skincare routine.

Meanwhile, Let’s Face It is your easy, no-fuss facial stop for a quick skin reset. It is perfect when your face needs a little pick-me-up between errands and holiday prep.

Smooth Skin & Precision Brows

Nothing says fresh like smooth skin and perfectly groomed brows. Lay Bare Waxing Salon offers its signature private-suite waxing experience, making it an easy pre-event stop when you want to be bare ready. Its aftercare products also help keep freshly waxed skin feeling smooth.

Luxewax, on the other hand, takes your beauty routine up a notch with waxing, facial services, lashes, brows, laser treatments, brightening services, and massage. Basically, it is a convenient beauty stop when you want to get more done in one visit.

Then there is Happy Brows, because sometimes all you really need is a good brow day. Get your brows shaped and tinted, or try their eyelash services for a more polished look without spending too much time getting ready.

Nailing it

Because no glow-up is complete without fresh nails. Nail-a-holic is a go-to for some well-deserved nail and foot-care downtime, while Nailworks offers a dedicated nail salon experience for your manicure and pedicure needs.

For another pampering option, Nails Glow Essence brings the focus back to hands and feet care. It is an easy stop when you want your fingertips and toes looking celebration-ready.

Pause, Breathe, Repeat

Sometimes the most effective beauty routine isn’t a product at all; it is simply giving yourself permission to pause. At 2 Hands Massage & Wellness, a tailored massage or wellness session offers the perfect opportunity to melt away accumulated stress. As the holiday rush begins to pick up, making time for a quick reset is one of the most rewarding stops you can add to a busy schedule.

New Season, New Hair

Thinking of switching up your look before the festivities begin? Drop by David’s Salon for a fresh cut, color, treatment, or blowout. Whether you are going for a subtle refresh or a totally new look, a salon day is always a good idea when you want to start the season feeling brand new.

And gentlemen, GQ Barbershop has your grooming game covered. Get a clean, polished cut and walk out looking fresh for those upcoming gatherings, celebrations, and holiday photos.

Your Glow-Up Starts at your most loved SM City Valenzuela

From skin and brows to nails, hair, waxing, and wellness, the 3rd Level of SM City Valenzuela has everything you need to make self-care part of your “Ber” month plans.So go ahead. Book the facial. Fix the brows. Get the mani-pedi. Take the massage. Try the new hairstyle. You have made it through the year. You deserve a little glow-up.

This “Ber” season, make time for you. Gala to the max and visit your most loved SM City Valenzuela!

Generika Drugstore, Valenzuela City launch country’s first citywide PhilHealth GAMOT Partnership

Generika Drugstore and the City Government of Valenzuela launched the very first partnership between a nationwide drugstore chain and a local government unit (LGU) providing an entire city access to essential medicines for free under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)’s Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) Program.

On Friday, about 600 Valenzuela City residents underwent medical consultation from PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP)-accredited doctors from the City Health Department and received prescribed medicines onsite for free thru PhilHealth’s GAMOT from Generika Drugstore.

“This is ginhawa to the fullest. Working with the City Government of Valenzuela allows us to showcase our Ginhawang Generika promise while serving our fellow Filipinos,” said Adrian Gino Guinto, President and Chief Executive Officer of Generika Drugstore.

Under this partnership, YAKAP-registered residents of Valenzuela City who have undergone medical consultation in YAKAP-accredited clinics and have prescriptions with unique security codes (UPSC) can claim up to P20,000 worth of essential medicines in any of the ten (10) Generika Drugstore branches in Valenzuela City that have been accredited by PhilHealth as GAMOT Providers:

• Dalandanan

• Parada Capt. Cruz

• Bagbaguin Mariano

• Gen. T. De Leon

• Malinta Santiago

• Maysan Tongco

• Paso de Blas

• Pio St. Marulas

• Poblacion 1 MH Del Pilar (Polo)

• Veinte Reales

Because of up to 85% savings that consumers can get for buying Actimed Quality Generics, YAKAP beneficiaries can buy significantly more medicines—enough to complete their doctors’ prescriptions.

“We are honored to be part of this pioneering partnership. We thank Generika Drugstore and PhilHealth for helping us make Valenzuela City a truly progressive city where no Valenzuelano family gets left behind,” said City Mayor Wes Gatchalian.

For his part, PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in ensuring the success of the government’s flagship health programs. “With active partners like Generika Drugstore and Valenzuela City, Filipinos can rest assured that PhilHealth can help, wherever and whenever they need it,” said Dr. Mercado.

In turn, Guinto thanked partners and stakeholders whose openness and collaboration were key in building the partnership. “With the AC Health group’s support, we invite like-minded local chief executives to follow suit and together, let’s push ginhawa within closer reach of Filipino families,” he added.

To date, 171 Generika Drugstore branches nationwide have been accredited as GAMOT providers. For the full list, click here. 

PH's First Integrated Permit Application System Debuts in Valenzuela

Starting November 13, an integrated permit application system called the 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services will provide a single platform for the application of permits and request for documents. This is the first and the fastest of its kind in the country, which spares applicants from the cost and time required of personal applications at the city hall.

With the City’s commitment to be in full compliance to the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law, the highlight of the system is the “Paspas Permit”, the 10-second business permit application system. It allows the issuance of a provisionary business permits within ten seconds after the payment confirmation. Prior to this project, the issuance of business permits at the City Hall takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

The introduction of the ‘Paspas Permit’ system will accelerate Valenzuela’s adoption of digital technology to streamline services for more than 18,000 businesses in the city. According to Mayor REX Gatchalian, “the new platform demonstrates the local government’s commitment to make services more efficient and innovative, which in turn can attract more investors and spur further development. Entrepreneurs are indispensable to our country’s growth and so we are empowering them through improved systems of service delivery.”

“At this point, the adoption of digital technology has become essential to fostering growth. The launch of 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services shows how we are leveraging on the innovative use of new technologies for better, faster services to our constituents,” he added.

City of Valenzuela’s efforts uphold E-Governance have earned accolades from numerous reputable institutions. It is a Hall-of-Famer to the Most Business Friendly Highly Urbanized City award of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), a distinction that it held in 2012, 2014, 2015, and again, in 2019 after a mandatory three-year hiatus from the Search.

Using the 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services, permit applicants can apply for the following documents and services:

• Renewal or Application of New Business Permits
• Building and Construction Permit application
• Real Property Tax (RPT) payments
• Requests for Certified True Copy of Tax Declaration, Tax Mapping Certificate, Certificate of Non-Improvement and Appraisal of Real Property
• Requests for Certified True Copy of Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificate, and Court Decision

Actual business permit and documents can be delivered within three to five working days through Wide Wide World Express (formerly DHL Philippines) or Grab Express.

Payments, on the other hand, can be processed via Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, Bancnet or PayMaya.

Documentary requirements submitted through the platform are reviewed realtime between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays to Fridays. Those who were applied beyond office hours shall be processed promptly on the next morning.
Provisionary Building and Construction permits shall also be obtained through the system within 10 second upon confirmation of payment. A provisionary permit shall be sent to the applicant’s email and they can commence construction. However, the applicant must submit the original documents to the Office of the Building Official (OBO) within 15 days, so they can get their actual permit. Failing to do so will revoke their provisionary permit.

“Simpler and faster processes reflect good governance and this is what we want to achieve through our 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services. This platform is a one-stop shop for permits and documents needed by residents, investors, and entrepreneurs who want to do business in our city,” Gatchalian concluded.

To register an account at the 3S Plus Valenzuela City Online Services and start applying for permits and documents, visit www.valenzuela.gov.ph.