"In Public Service dapat nandun ang puso mo... (in Public Service, your heart should be there to serve)" or interpreted in another way "Don't go to Public Service if your heart is not into it." True that in Public Service the Public goes first with the services that you do to them. With that, a lot of projects, infrastructures, and plans are being laid in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Creating more opportunities for the people. This is the thrust of the Public Servant tandem of Congresswoman Florida "Ate Rida" Robes and Mayor Arthur Robes. Serving the people of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

Of course, without their supporters and constituents, the progress of SJDM would not be possible. It is a 'give and take' ecosystem, as one of the sayings that go ' the more you sow the more you will reap'. And since the people of SJDM planted a good public servant they are now reaping the benefits that made the city to where it is now.

In an interview with Congresswoman Robes, she shared some of the highlights of their "Thanksgiving" or "Pasasalamat" to all their supporters and to all who helped them in the process. One of which is the Town Hall Meeting or Ulat Sa Bayan where they will report to their constituents the progress and development of the city. Also, to make use of the time and resources they'll be kicking off their yearly gift-giving for the people. They'll do this from December 1 up to 17, giving gifts to around 80,000 households in 59 barangays. The lighting of the Christmas Tree and some other activities highlighting the talents of San Josenos.

Also, Congresswoman Robes, through the interview, gave her thanks to many personalities and organizations that have helped in the development of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Naming them are her husband, Mayor Arthur Robes; their Supporters; President Rodrigo Roa Duterte; Senator Cynthia Villar for sponsoring Saint Bernardette Churros and Maternity Hospital together with Secretary Mark Villar, and Secretary Duque; the Bahay Partylist for the HOA Building; Senator Bato Dela Rosa for the promised Philippine National Building; Senator Nancy Binay and Secretary Mark Villar for the Sports Complex and Convention Center; and Philip "Kuya Ipe" Salvador.

Indeed there are many things to be thankful and that is why Congresswoman Florida Robes is blessed with so many things because she is very much thankful to everyone.

Depression or mental health issue, a problem that most people are facing today, especially the young ones who are mostly engaged in social media and networking sites, seems to be getting worse and the victims are getting younger every day. With the advancement of technology, getting bashed or reading something hurtful is just a scroll away. Even being shamed is just a click away.

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 is indeed becoming a real problem and issue of today's generation. Congresswoman Rida was able to share something like this to inform people that it is becoming a problem that needs to be addressed that is why she advocates 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 live 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. Depression really needs to be treated in an early stage and because of the incidents that happened in her hometown CW Rida took time to visit different barangays and schools in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, to see the current situations. A gesture of bringing hope to the people.

Part of the move and action taken by CW Robes is being part of the group that made a partnership with the Korean-based Sunfull Foundation, an international non-government organization that raises mental health awareness among individuals and helps combat cyberbullying. 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 cyberbullying 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.

Many laws have been passed but seldom that these laws are well implemented and good to know that CW Rida is calling the attention of the Department of Health regarding the Republic Act 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law.

This is not just a small issue or concern but it is now a big problem that needs to be addressed. A good call initiated by Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes!

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