In the south lies a city that has become synonymous with progress. Now a bustling cosmopolitan center, the City of Santa Rosa exemplifies sustainability – a balance of economic progress and environment protection. As it marks its 226th year, the City of Santa Rosa continues to provide for its citizens, honoring its people’s resilience and diligence as the driving force of the city.
SANTA ROSA was once a part of the town of Biñan, called Barrio Bukol. In January 18, 1792, it became a separate municipality and was called Pueblo De Santa Rosa, named after its patron saint, Santa Rosa De Lima, the first female South American saint.
Two hundred twenty six years later, Santa Rosa is now one of the most dynamic cities in the Philippines. Dubbed as the Lion City of South Luzon, Santa Rosa’s economy continues to boom, thanks to the industriousness and dedication of its people.
In celebration of what it has become through the years, the city once again honors its people through the Sikhayan Festival.
Sikhayan, which stands for Pagsisikap para sa Kabuhayan, is the annual festival of the City of Santa Rosa celebrating the Roseñian’s spirit of enterprise which through the decades has fueled Santa Rosa’s economic growth.
The Sikhayan Festival recognizes the contribution made by Santa Rosa’s sectors, from farmers, fisherfolks, artisans, workers and entrepreneurs big and small, to the city’s continuing progress. It coincides with the founding of Santa Rosa as a separate town in 1792.
The festival is held in conjunction with the city’s founding anniversary. This year’s theme, “Biyaya ng Kaunlaran, Tagumpay ng SIKHAYAN ng Mamamayan at Pamahalaan” focuses on the unceasing partnership of the city government and its people as they strive to bring progress to the city.
Curiously, 226 has another meaning for the administration of Mayor Dan Fernandez – in 2 years there were 2 major accomplishments capped with 6 major awards.
226 is not just a number
It has been almost two (2) years since Mayor Dan Fernandez assumed office as local chief executive. Since then, Mayor Fernandez has been working hard for the city to maintain and to keep its status as a one of the premiere cities in the country, continuing the blueprint that former Mayor, now Laguna First District Representative Arlene B. Arcillas left.
Working in tandem with Cong Arlene and Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas, Mayor Dan pushed for programs and projects that benefit the people. From Education, Health, Social Services, Infrastructure to Business, Environment and Law Enforcement, Mayor Dan saw to it that the City of Santa Rosa continue to move forward as he envisions in his slogan, “Arangkada! Dangal ng Santa Rosa.”
Mayor Dan’s two (2) major accomplishments are peace and order and governance, which resulted in reduction of drug-related crime and efficient delivery of services.
Dangal ng Pagbabago
In peace and order, Mayor Dan was the first local chief executive to heed the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the war against drug. While he worked with the Philippine National Police to intensify police operations against illegal drugs, Mayor Dan established a drug rehabilitation center as an immediate response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to address the need for a facility to help rehabilitate the drug dependents who voluntarily surrendered to the police during the conduct of Operation Tokhang.
Aptly called the Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center, it was the first local government unit-operated rehabilitation center in the country.
During the opening of the rehabilitation center in January 14, 2017, Mayor Dan clarified misconceptions about the center. “Ang ating Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center ay nakadisenyo ito upang matulungan ang mga boluntaryong sumuko sa barangay at Kapulisan. Hindi natin nais pahirapan kundi hangad natin na sila ay matulungan upang makabalik sa komunidad bilang responsable at kapaki-pakinabang na mamamayan. Sa rehab atin silang gagamutin sa kanilang pagkagumon sa bawal na gamot at susuportahan upang makapagbagong buhay,” he said.
“Sapagkat ito ang nais kong maging tatak ng aking pamamahala – ang pagbibigay ng dangal sa lahat ng mamamayan lalo’t higit sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong na maibalik ang kanilang dangal bilang tao at mamamayan ng lungsod na ito,” Mayor Dan stressed.
Since its formal opening, a total of 48 former drug dependents have completed their rehabilitation program. In August 18, 2017, the first batch of 22 completionists graduated from the center. The second batch eight (8) completionists graduated in October 19, 2017. And on January 16, 2017, during the celebration of the center’s first anniversary, sixteen (16) surrenderees completed their rehabilitation program.
The Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center has 10 dorms and can accommodate up to 200 patients.
It is operated by one (1) resident psychiatrist, three (3) medical doctors, two (2) dentists, two (2) nurses, three (3) program staffs, one (1) twelve-step director, one (1) program director, one (1) senior program director, one (1) administrative director, 10 internal security personnel and seven (7) civil security unit personnel.
Some of their activities include morning exercise, morning meeting, spiritual retreat, gardening, art therapy, letter and journal writing, and individual and group counseling, among others.
Its menu of programs is being offered by the City Cooperative Development Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Social Welfare Development Office, Public Employment Service Office, DepEd Alternative Learning System, City Agriculture Office, Santa Rosa Manpower Training Center, City Health Office I, and City Health Office II.
Drug-Cleared Barangays
In 2016, a total of 1,355 illegal drug personalities in the city voluntarily surrendered to the police during the Operation Tokhang. The surrenderees were assessed by the doctors from City Health Office I and II to classify severity of risk. Only those classified as high risk are referred to undergo rehabilitation in the rehabilitation center.
“Our intention is that after they finish rehabilitation in the center, they can go back to their families and communities as responsible members of the society. Our city government offices will provide livelihood and skills training while partner locator companies will offer them employment opportunities,” said Dr. Erwin Escal, head of the City Health Office II and a member of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) Technical Working Group (TWG).
“Those classified under moderate and low risk were directed to undergo the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program conducted by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC),” Dr. Escal said.
In May to July 2017, the City conducted the 45-day Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) in all of its 18 barangays.
The Santa Rosa City Police Station, in close coordination with the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) Technical Working Group (TWG), once again rolled in the communities in an activity dubbed as the Tokhang Reloaded.
The CADAC went to the barangays and held a caravan where patients’ assessment of severity of risk was done, along with orientations on the activities to be done in CBRP that will be conducted by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
Each barangay designed their set of activities which include counseling, moral recovery program, bible study, mass, environmental concern program (clean-up, tree planting), physical activities (zumba, basketball, jogging), livelihood program (candle making, meat processing, soap making, massage), community service (construction of road, brigada eskwela, cleaning of canals), orientation on drug addiction, health lecture, seminar on urban gardening, symposium, values orientation and drug testing, among others.
By August 2017, five (5) barangays were declared “Drug Cleared Barangay” by Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs composed of the PNP, PDEA, DILG, DOH and Provincial Government of Laguna. These barangays are Sto. Domingo, Ibaba, Malusak, Dila and Labas.
Efficiency in Governance
During the term of then Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, she pushed for participatory governance and took on the challenge to make the quality of the city’s services comparable with international standards.
When Mayor Dan assumed office, he continued the mission to bring the City towards further progress. To do this, he identified areas that his administration will concentrate on to ensure that the ride to a more progressive City of Santa Rosa will be smooth for its people as captured in his call to action Arangkada, Dangal ng Santa Rosa!
One identified area is the maintenance and improvement of the quality of services, and the seen measure to realize this is to get certified through ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System.
The first step was already taken by the three pioneer offices during the time of Mayor Arlene. The Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator (CPDO), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and Office of the City Civil Registrar (CCRO) were certified in 2015 and have passed the Surveillance Audit in 2016.
The second batch of offices included the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Health Office I (CHO I), City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Veterinary Office, City Information Office (CIO) and the Office of the City Mayor.
Pre-certification activities included awareness seminars, planning sessions, documentation activities per office and as a whole, and the Internal Quality Auditors’ Training which included an examination and a practice audit. They underwent audit on December 14 and December 21, 2016.
On March 13, 2017, the second batch received the official Certification from ISC Global represented by Ms. Ma. Melanie Olbita, General Manager of ISC Philippines Inc.
ISC Global is a full-service international certification and training body. It is recognized by JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System – Australia New Zealand) as an accredited body and a certified training organization.
In July 20, 2017, the third batch of offices for ISO certification underwent a seminar. These offices are the Santa Rosa Community Hospital, City Health Office II, City Agriculture Office, City Cooperative Development Office, City Urban Development and Housing Office, and City Tourism Office.
The third batch launched its preparations for ISO certification on September 18, 2017. They are currently undergoing audit.
The ISO champions believe that the certification further raised the bar in public service and ultimately led to achieving the current administration’s call for inclusive governance.
This belief is shared by Mayor Fernandez when he said that though ISO Certification will bring about changes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is will be an inconvenience. “Yes it will give birth to challenges. Ngunit mas tinitingnan ko ito bilang oportunidad upang mas mapagbuti pa natin ang uri ng serbisyong ating ibinabahagi sa ating kapwa,” he said.
“Hindi lahat ng pagbabago ay masama at dapat tuligsain… Marapat lamang na maging bukas tayo sa pagbabago sapagkat kaakibat nito ay paglago natin bilang indibidwal at bilang parte ng organisasyon, ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Santa Rosa,” he added.
World-Class Multi-Purpose Complex
The much awaited opening of the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex was held on March 5, 2017 coinciding with the city’s hosting of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) game between Alab Pilipinas and the Westports Malaysia Dragons.
In an interview, Laguna First District Representative Arlene B. Arcillas and former Mayor of the City of Santa Rosa expressed her gratitude and joy for the opening of the Complex.
“During my first term as Mayor, the city built a seat of government that is in parallel with the development of the city. This is why we built the City Hall A and City Hall B,” she recounted. The City Hall B houses the modern City Auditorium.
In her second term, then Mayor Arlene envisioned a complex “to serve as venue wherein people can come together to celebrate, to hone their talents, to hold events and programs,” she said.
She even shared that there were rumors that circulated about the delay in construction and overpricing of the Complex. This is why she is very grateful to the present administration of Mayor Dan for pushing with the completion of the project. “Now we see this Complex and this is born out of the cooperation and initiative of the city government,” the Congresswoman said.
The Congresswoman proudly gave the features of the Complex which makes it, according to her, unlike any other complexes in the region. It is a two-hectare development area, has a 16,700 sq. m. total floor area, a basketball court that has a 5,700-seating capacity, four (4) badminton courts that can be converted into a multi-purpose exhibition area, an indoor Olympic size swimming pool, an outdoor wading pool, and two (2) outdoor tennis courts with a grand stand. It also has area for offices and commercial spaces.
“This world class complex shall serve as a venue for honing the talents of young athletes in sports, and a place for artists in showcasing arts and culture, thereby making them globally competitive. This is my gift, the City Government of Santa Rosa’s gift to all of you,” Representative Arcillas said.
Similarly, Mayor Dan was also very thankful to Rep. Arcillas. “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Congresswoman Arlene dahil noong siya ay isa pang punonglongsod ay nangarap siya na magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan ang kabataan sa larangan ng sports,” he said.
Mayor Fernandez said that the opening of the Complex is the realization of that dream. “Narito ang kanyang pangarap na ating isinasakatuparan at inihahandog namin ngayon sa mamamayan,” the Mayor said.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas said that the Complex will be a revenue generating facility so the budget used for its construction will be earned back which can be used to fund other beneficial programs and project for the people. According to him, the city is in the process of deliberating the rates or fees for the use of the Complex.
He also said that in terms of infrastructure and technology, the Complex is of high quality. “Napakaganda po talaga nito and we will ensure that we will maintain it at lalo pang pauunlarin para sa kapakinabangan ng mamamayan,” said Vice Mayor Arcillas.
On June 13, 2017, the Sangguniang Panlungsod enacted Ordinance No. 2091-2017, establishing the City of Santa Rosa Multi-purpose Complex and regulating the use and operation of the same.
A similar ordinance, Ordinance No. 2086-2017, regulating the use and operation of the City of Santa Rosa Auditorium was enacted on May 8, 2017.
‘Job Well Dan’
With those accomplishments being said and not, Santa Rosa is, without a doubt, undeniably deserving of the six (6) major awards they received for the year 2017.
Just last November 24, 2017, the City of Santa Rosa was one of the 448 Local Government Units in the country to achieve the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG): Pagkilala sa Katapatan at Kahusayan ng Pamahalaang Lokal from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The City also received the Tourism Excellence Award for Local Government from the Department of Tourism on November 27, followed by the Silver Award on Environmental Compliance Audit from DILG on December 4 in recognition of the City’s contribution in rehabilitation and preservation of Manila Bay and its watershed.
In addition, the National Nutrition Council awarded the City its 2nd Year CROWN Maintenance Award during the National Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on December 12.
The City was also recognized as the Overall Best Performing City in 2016 and Santa Rosa Community Hospital as the Top Hospital Performance Achiever on December 14.
The City also received the Safe Haven Award from the Manila Times Philippine Model Cities on May 11.
Other accolades to include in its long list of recognitions are the City’s awards as finalist in 2017 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Award City Level 2 given by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for exemplifying commendable initiatives towards good governance reforms that promote trade and investments, and significantly contribute to local economic development; Recognition on 2017 ECCD Inter-Sectoral Dialogue; Best Supplementary Feeding Program Implementer from the DSWD Region 4A and the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification for some of its offices.
It has really been a job well done for the City of Santa Rosa. As it aged a year older, the long list of accomplishments and recognitions that the City has will surely become even longer and doubled. (CIO-tumali/mvcarino)