The pandemic may have affected the lives of the San Joseños, but this worldwide problem can't stop or hold the city's development back. Despite the struggle and hardship brought by the virus, the city, with the leadership tandem of Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida Robes, inspired their constituents with the achieved recognition of the city proclaimed by the president, Rodrigo Duterte.

In an inaugural speech at the presentation of the San Jose Del Monte Convention Center in Barangay Sapang Palay, Congresswoman Robes boldly shared the recognition of the city, which is being proclaimed as one of the highly-urbanized city in the country. This is one of the news for the San Joseños. "I am very honored to announce that President Rodrigo Duterte has declared our beloved city a highly-urbanized city," Robes said.

"We have long waited for this and we will work more to make us truly deserving of this proclamation for the people of San Jose Del Monte," she added.

According to Robes, Duterte issued Proclamation No.1057 declaring San Jose Del Monte as a highly-urbanized city "subject to ratification in a plebiscite by qualified voters in the city."

Robe said the President could declare a city highly-urbanized within 30 days after it had reached a population of 200,000 or more, as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority. It shoul also have an income of at least 50 million as certified by the city treasurer.

San Jose Del Monte had achieved both qualifications - as "verified and attested to by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Finance - Bureau of Local Government Finance, as Duterte pointed out in his proclamation.

Duterte proclaimed the request by the city government through a resolution.

"(I)t is a declared policy of the government to support the initiatives of local governments to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities, and make them effective partners in the attainment of national goals," the President stated in the proclamation.

 

 

 

 

Aside from the news of being a highly-urbanized city, SJDM also launched a program for the constituents to enjoy. A happy and joyful attitude despite the presence of the pandemic. A good outlook this 2021.

 

Congratulations to #TeamRobes and to all San Joseños! #SJDMtherisingcity

We are now in a crisis, a pandemic problem brought about by the dreaded virus called COVID-19. It is not easy to be in a situation where movements are limited and the means of earning is being shut off to be safe. At this moment we all need the light that the mothers bring to the family. The light that binds us all together with the motherly love and care. It doesn't matter how far or near that love is.

At this time, it's really heartbreaking to know that there are some of the family members are sacrificing their moment in order for others to be safe, especially the frontliners. For a mom like me, it breaks my heart.

Just last month, the spread of COVID-19 started and some families have been affected. For some who, in their state of mind thought that they were exposed with the infected ones, reacted by doing a self-quarantine to contain the virus and stop from spreading, just like what Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes did when she learned that she was exposed to one of her co-public servant who is infected by the virus.

Just like any other parents, her heart broke seeing her husband, Mayor Arther Robes, and daughter from afar and couldn't be with them at the moment. She needs to do a self-quarantine to be safe. An act of a responsible individual and public servant.


Congresswomen Robes expressed her feelings to the members of the media last April 2 after her quarantine. She explained that during her quarantine period, "Alam n'yo nung panahon na ako ay nasa loob lang ng kwarto, sobrang lungkot ako. My daughter was asking me, 'Mom, when can I hug you? When can I kiss you?' I told her, 'On Thursday, anak. And that's today, my 21st day of self-quarantine. Bakit ko ito ginawa? Kasi I love my family most and, of course, I love my family here in the district of the city of San Jose del Monte. Ayaw ko 'yung na-expose na nga ako, tapos lalabas pa ako. It's very irresponsible if I do that. Dahil mahal ko kayo, tiniis ko na nakikita ko lang si Mayor [Arthur Robes] outside, nakikita ko lang ang aking mga kapamilya combatting this kind of calamity."

Congresswoman Robes continue to discuss SJDM's efforts during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). She explained that she and her husband SJDM Mayor Arthur Robes (who went into self-quarantine about a week after she did) and their respective teams worked used a three-point framework that was based on one principle: "Pagyamanin mo kung ano ang meron ka." This involved the following:

1. Seeking a resolution to enable the use of the calamity fund.
2. Coordinated with frontlines, which included the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) about setting up of checkpoints according to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the implementation of the ECQ.
3. Implementing rehabilitation programs to address the needs of the people, especially the micro and small business owners.

In line with the Robes couple's mission of inclusive progress, Congresswoman Robes explained that they made sure to cater to nearly 69,000 indigent people in SJDM. Indeed, in the first wave of the distribution of relief packs, 10,910 indigent people were served. In the second wave, 58,060 people were reached. Congresswoman Robes stated that there would be a third wave of relief pack distribution. "Ideally, we could go to all the 145,000 households in SJDM," she added.

Robes mentioned that they were also waiting for the full implementation of the "Bayanihan Heal as One" (BAHO) Act so that more help could be extended to the people of SJDM.

When asked how she felt about the bashers who criticized her and Mayor Robes' efforts, Congresswoman Robes said, "Nakikiusuap po ako na huwag na po nating isali ang pamumulitika rito. Your criticisms are welcome, but if you cannot contribute anything then please just pray for our city." The congresswoman asked everyone to just unite so that the whole district could get through the crisis.

The Philippines is suffering now from the so-called Covid 19 or the CoronaVIrus Disease 2019, even the whole world is experiencing it. Very alarming and it makes people panic. With all this chaos happening in our country, the Government does their best and do their part to stop/minimize the spreading of this disease.

In line with this, the City Mayor of San Jose Del Monte, Arthur Robes, and CongressWoman Florida Robes called for a press conference to help spread the news that they are doing their best to fight against Covid 19.



San Jose Del Monte has one (1) COVID-19 Patient, the person is tagged as PH-21 and with this, is it needed that the office of the Mayor and the office of the San Jose Del Monte Representative go hand-in-hand in combating and taking precaution with the spread of this dreaded diseases.






Here are the steps that they are implementing citywide.

1. They created the Task Force ERID or Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases including the different agencies at SJDM and the National Agencies.

2. Awareness on the Precautionary measures such as;
a. proper hand washing.
b. proper etiquette when coughing.
c. social distancing.
d. to avoid unnecessary travels.
e. proper use of face mask.
f. sanitize your surroundings, houses, and work area.
g. Use of Alcohol and Hand Sanitizer

3. Avoid Mass Gathering

4. No Medical Mission and Blood Letting Activities

5. Designate a temporary isolation room and marked vehicle for transferring of patients diagnosed with symptoms of COVID-19.


Mayor Robes and Cong. Robes assured San Josenos that they are doing their best to serve them properly and to prevent and stop the spreading of COVID-19 at San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

It's the first Monday of November and Mayor Arthur Robes of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan welcomes the day with a mass, good announcements, accomplishments, and birthday celwbrations. Yes, Mayor Robes will be celebrating his birthday November 6 and the best way for him to celebrate it is to announce the accomplishments and the recognitions that he and the city have been receiving. A thrust of a good leader and a Public Servant.




The event happened during the Flag Raising Ceremony at the front of San Jose Del Monte City Hall. It was a day of celebration.

One of the most highlighted news among the accomplishments and awards received by the city of SJDM was the Seal of Good Local Governance which will be awarded tomorrow.

According to Mayor Robes "All the accomplishment and awards that I received is the award of the whole city because of the effort of Bulaqueños to improve/develop and make the city beautiful and tagging the San Jose Del Monte Bulacan as a Rising City and maybe the next highly urbanize in the country".

Happy and blessed Birthday to Mayor Robes!

When was the time that we heard of incidents happened because of depression? Well, personally I do not know the data but all I know is that it has been always in the news lately.  It's really sad to know that these things are happening, depression or mental health issue is becoming a problem that most people are facing today, especially the young ones who are mostly engaged in social media and networking sites.
I'm a mom and it scares me, especially with my kids, because the stories seems to be getting worse and the victims are getting younger and younger. I would really want to know more about this, how to prevent it and some ways to deal with it and good to know that Congresswoman Florida Robes is initiating some actions to help fight this problem. It really needs to be addressed.



San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan Representative Florida “Rida” Perez Robes, in a recently released article in one of the leading newspaper mentioned that “In one public high school in a barangay in our town, 10 students, all teenagers, died of suicide due to mental health issues, in a span of one year. Many of the cases are related to online bullying." It's a real problem that we, the elders of this generation, should do something about. Congresswoman Rida was able to point out this problem  because of an incident that happens in her hometown. A tragic story that shouldn't have happened if it was given an attention. This led to her advocating for mental health. Not only because of the news but also from the personal experiences of her relatives. She is not comfortable knowing that depression claims lives in her hometown.

“Depression needs to be treated. Early intervention can come in the form of caring. It helps a lot when a depressed individual knows someone cares,” part of what CW Robes mentioned in the article. Due to this rising numbers of incidents CW Robes plans to put up a mental health center where  individuals who needs treatment can be given a proper advice at an early stage. CW Rida took time to visit different barangays and schools in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, to see the current situations. It is her gesture of bringing hope to the people.

Part of the move and action taken by CW Robes being part of the group that made a partnership with Korean-based Sunfull Foundation, an international non-government organization that raise mental health awareness among individuals and helps combat cyber bullying. Together with her are other lawmakers like Pangasinan Representative Baby Arenas and Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Ann Hofer.

Congresswoman Rida is right to address the problem as more and more youth are becoming more enclosed in social media platforms the more that they are becoming vulnerable to cyber bulling that later on leads to depression. What we, the relatives and friends of people experiencing depression, need to do is give a reason for them to think that we are there for them and we care.

CW Rida calls the attention of the Department of Health to fully implement the Republic Act 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law.

Depression is a serious problem and Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes talks about it!

One of the best way to tell the story about the Tanglawan Festival is by picturing it into a masterpiece. An artwork that will definitely stick around through times. And perhaps that is what the power couple, Congresswoman Florida Robes and Mayor Arthur Robes, have thought of.
 

On the exact day of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan's Cityhood Anniversary, the power couple graced the opening and ribbon-cutting of the Art Gallery, where a number of paintings were created to picture out the Tanglawan Festival celebration. This talented hands were children of SJDM.

After winning the title of World Guinness Record, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan's Tanglawan Festival has become one of the anticipated events in the city every year.


The Tanglawan Festival 2019 Art Gallery Exhibit were mounted at the Basement 2, the Government Service Express area inside SM City San Jose Del Monte. Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida Robes gave their appreciation  of the artworks and praises to different artists who participated. Mayor Robes, who loves art, disclosed during the event that they are pushing for the construction  of the culture and Art Building that will cultivate the different talented children of San Josenos.

The works of the power couple Mayor and Congresswoman Robes is becoming the strong foundation for the becoming of the city as the next destination on the area of Bulacan and in the country.

San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan is not new to me. I have known it since my younger days. It is one of the city that is nearby to the city where I live. For us who lives in Quezon City, it is just a ride away and also a walk away. Why? because as I can remember every Holy Week, religious individuals or groups does their annual walk or commonly known as "Alay Lakad". They do this as their way of penitence. The walk starts from Quezon City and up to the place called Grotto. That's how teenagers and groups does their penitence during Holy Week. The place is actually called Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto which is the exact replica of the one that you can find in France. As far as I know the fountain in Grotto is believed to be miraculous that is why a lot of people in nearby cities (not only in Quezon City) does their "Alay Lakad" as part of their faith, belief and also the symbol of their sacrifices in doing the walk of Jesus Christ.


Aside from the Grotto Church, my family also spend most of the summer outing at Grotto Vista which is located just near the Grotto Church, it is also located in SJDM, Bulacan. I lost count already on how many times we spent our family bonding and even barkada outing at Grotto Vista but I'm sure it was memorable.

A look on how this simple and beautiful town of SJDM, Bulacan became a city and now known as The Rising City. From town to cityhood and now aiming to be one of the highly urbanized cities in the country. The drastic development of the place is because of the brilliant minds of real life couple/ tandem of Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida Robes.

Recently, we, together with some other bloggers and media people had a tour of the new facilities in a compound where most of the agencies and offices of the city are located and are expected to cater the needs of San Josenos. Of course aesthetic city is also part of it to be recognized as an urbanized city. During the tour Mayor and Congreswoman Robes explained and presented some of the facilities that will have a big help for their people and there are also some facilities that are still under construction. One of which that they are very proud of is, the considered to be the very first Veterinary Hospital in the Philippines which is built in their city. It is also better known because of the best practices that they impose on their process of serving the San Josenos.

Here are some of the highlights from The Rising City, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan:




Truly that the Best Leaders cares about their people, Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida Robes do after the welfare of San Josenos. Leaders that visions the future of the city for the people.

Currently the San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan is celebrating their 19th Cityhood Anniversary with different activities through out the city which will run until September 10. So, if you want to know more about The Rising City, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan visit, understand and learn.