I have been to San Jose Del Monte before but that was during my high school days. Some of my classmates were from this part of the town and sometimes we stay at their place to do some homework or projects. As I remember it wasn't a city yet but the town is already known because of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, the replica of the Our Lady of Lourdes in France. That was perhaps the only iconic and religious landmark that I know at that time.

Another information about the town that I've was that it became the home town of many relocated citizens from different nearby cities. It was marked as 'the relocation site'. Too bad that many LGUs considered the town before as the basin of relocated people but that was before. With its booming population, the government had to do something for its people. It has to evolve and flow with the current of change. It had hurdles and issues along the way but the town didn't stop developing and claiming its cityhood, a rising city. Today, they are celebrating their 19th Cityhood Anniversary.

A common phrase about leaders and leadership, which I rephrased, plus added some extra words 'anyone can lead but it takes a true leader to bring his troops to the summit of victory', and that's what the current leadership is doing right now. Leading the city of San Jose Del Monte into a highly urbanized city.

"From relocation to destination" is the phrase that is retained in my mind as the city's current leader, Mayor Arthur Robes together with his wife, Congresswoman Florida Robes, explained and shows the different developments being implemented for the city and its people. He further explained that the private institutions are creating developments in the city so it is just right for the local government to address the situation and create development as well not only for the San Josenions but also to nearby towns and cities. Creating the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan as the city of destination.

Here are some of the developments in the city, some of the first in the province and in the country that they are now practicing. Some have already been built and some are under construction.

Veterinary Hospital - which is considered as the first Hospital for Animals in the Philippines.

Command Center of the City's Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office - where they will have an MMDA like command center showing the different areas of the city for dispatch of help and rescue. Also, they have the mobile command center where they do on-site rescue operations.

Activity Center and Convention Center - this is catering to big crowd activities of the city.

Of course, some other plans that are soon to see in the City of San Jose Del Monte.

Government Center - where most of the offices is located in just one area.

Esplanade - where they are on the process of stabilizing the river's side. Visitors can actually do boating.

IT Hub - a plan to create an IT Hub to provide job opportunities for the citizens of SJDM.

City College - to house their students and future member of the working class of the society.

Sports Complex and the Olympic-size Swimming Pool - This will be a good venue for sports and nearby town and cities can also be accommodated.

St. Bernadette Children's and Maternity Hospital - where they will have the breast milk bank for those who are in need of breast milk.

Ospital ng Lungsod - the rehabilitation of the hospital to be a first-class hospital but caters to the needy.

People's Park - a park for the growing number of citizens.

During the visit, from only the iconic landmark Grotto, I now have known a lot of things about San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. To meer knowledge to a vast of information that I can share to other people that I know who would love to find a new kind of destination that will not only relieve stress but enjoy history and culture.

Another thing, they have this Tanglawan Festival that you can see and enjoy!

#SJDM #TheRisingCity #SJDMTheRisingCity