If you have been one of our constant readers, then you have read the development happened in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Remember that I had featured some of the city's achievements and few of their interesting spots to visit. Also I have shared that the city, together with the tandem of Mayor Arthur Robes and Congresswoman Florida Robes, aim to be recognized as one of the highly-urbanized city in the country. That's why non-stop developments were being done.

Just this year, the Covid-19 happened and the City of San Jose del Monte is not spared of the pandemic. Even though the city has been affected by this viral situation, the city, with its public servants continue to do their work 24/7. With this, a dream has finally been realized. At the beginning days of the last month of the year, SJDM was finally recognized and therefore proclaimed as one of the highly-urbanized city by President Rodrigo Duterte.

A public servant always thinks of ways to serve the people. Things that he or she can offer for the benefit of the constituents. In today's situation, Public Servants are more than what they are, a soldier, or even a nurse, a frontliners that are willing to risk their lives to bring the needs of the people. No matter what the condition is, these Public Servants do their work wholeheartedly, even though they are to celebrate important occasions in their lives.

In the case of Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes, one of the working Public Servant that we know celebrates her birthday unconventionally. She commemorates the occasion with a three-day program that will benefit the constituents that put their trust to her. Of course, the activity was done and still, mindful of the government-imposed policies concerning the health and safety of everyone in this pandemic crisis. Everyone was required to wear masks and do social distancing.


Congresswoman Robes' three-day activities were fully loaded with public servant affairs but I'll be highlighting three programs that concentrate with all the mothers like her. Thursday, June 25, she led the distribution of gift packs tagged as "Timba Pa More Para sa Taga-Lungsod," we all know that the 'timba' is commonly used by the mothers in every house. The gift packs are placed inside the timba or pail. Friday, June 26, she gave the "Dagdag Ayuda" program which is meant for a group of lady tricycle drivers. Lastly, today, Saturday, June 27, Congresswoman Robes brought her "Kusina ni Ate Rida" team to feed people in 59 barangays.



This is probably her small gesture of giving back and giving thanks for the gift of life.

When asked why she chose to hold such demanding activities instead of just simply celebrating her birthday, Rep. Robes said, "More than being consistent with my role as a public servant, I wanted to spread happiness among San Joseños whose lives have been drastically changed by the pandemic. It's just a small gesture from me to hopefully assure them that I am working very hard to make sure that each and every person will be taken care of. Like I always say, 'Nobody will be left behind in SJDM.' This has made my birthday celebration more meaningful."

No one is exempted from today's pandemic crisis, even the frontliners and government officials are not safe with the spread of COVID-19. That is why few of our government officials who were exposed to some public servants and politicians who later tested positive for COVI-19 went and observed self-quarantine. One of them is Congresswoman Florida "Rida" Robes of the lone district of San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) City, Bulacan who touched base with her constituents in a 5-minute talk with members of the media last April 2.

Congresswoman Robes used a very personal approach to encourage people to be responsible enough to automatically undergo self-quarantine and practice physical distancing. "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. 1. Seeking a resolution to enable the use of the calamity fund.
2. 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. 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.