Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte emphasized the importance of critical thinking, truth, and citizen empowerment in the fight against misinformation and disinformation, during her address at the Philippine Media and Information Literacy Conference (MILCON 2025) held last November 4 at SMX Aura, Taguig City.
The mayor gave the statement following the recent designation of Quezon City as one of the Pilot Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Cities collaborating wIth UNESCO, which recognizes cities all over the world for their pioneering efforts to integrate media and information literacy in local governance, education, culture, and digital innovation.
“These days, the most vital skill we can cultivate is how to think—the discipline of asking ‘why’ and ‘what if,’ especially when faced with complex situations,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte stressed that misinformation and disinformation are among the most pressing challenges of modern society, citing global studies that rank them among the top threats to social trust and democracy. She pointed out that in the Philippines alone, over 24 million Filipinos remain functionally illiterate, a challenge that directly affects people’s ability to discern truth in the digital age.
In response, Quezon City has made media and information literacy (MIL) a key pillar of its local governance agenda. The city has allocated ₱6 billion, or 15% of its total 2025 budget, to education initiatives which meets UNESCO’s benchmark for education spending. This includes improving public school facilities, expanding scholarship programs, and supporting the Quezon City University (QCU), where more than half of graduates are the first in their families to earn a college degree.
Belmonte also revealed ongoing discussions with The New York Times Company to launch a citywide debate competition in Quezon City public schools, designed to strengthen students’ analytical and communication skills.
She likewise highlighted the city’s investments in digital transparency and accessibility, including the official Quezon City Facebook page, now with over 1.4 million followers, and its online public service programs. The city government website also features text-to-speech and chatbot functions to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities.
“Our goal is not only to fight misinformation but to empower citizens with the skills and confidence to seek truth, question power, and participate meaningfully in public life,” Belmonte added.
As a UNESCO Pilot MIL City, Quezon City joins an international network of local governments promoting information literacy as a foundation for inclusive and sustainable development. Other pilot cities include Malabon (Philippines), Jambi (Indonesia), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Athens (Greece), Al Rayyan (Qatar), Ramallah (Palestine), Santos and São Gonçalo do Amarante (Brazil), Copán (Honduras), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Abuja (Nigeria).
Quezon City’s recognition builds upon years of initiatives that promote informed citizenship and creative expression. These include digital literacy workshops, visual storytelling programs, heritage and library expansion projects, and the Maki+ Fiesta Media Festival, a two-day celebration of free expression, democracy, and creative innovation now in its second year.
The city is also home to the QCinema International Film Festival, which fosters public discourse and cultural appreciation. Its growing creative ecosystem recently earned Quezon City another distinction from UNESCO—as a Creative City of Film, one of the first in Southeast Asia.
“By becoming a UNESCO Media and Information Literacy City, we affirm our commitment to building a community that does not only rely on stars, but one that shines with wisdom, integrity, and truth,” Belmonte said. “Real progress comes when citizens can even call out the stars—and stand tall as stars of their own story.”
The UNESCO MIL Cities Initiative forms part of the organization’s Media and Information Literacy and Digital Competencies Programme, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4.7 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
To institutionalize its commitment, the Quezon City Government will soon establish an official body tasked to develop, enhance, and implement MIL programs across schools, communities, and public offices, paving the way for its full designation as a UNESCO Media and Information Literacy City.
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