San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes and Mayor Arthur Robes shared that their only wish this 2021 is for the whole country to be COVID FREE so that the Filipinos can move on and start a new beginning especially the people of San Jose Del Monte. There's no denying that the impact of the pandemic has greatly affected the whole nation and though this was the case, the Robes tandem never wavered in helping the people 24/7.

One perfect news to highlight the continuous rising of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan is when  President Rodrigo Duterte proclaimed San Jose del Monte, Bulacan as a highly-urbanized city which is announced by San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes announced last December 5, 2020 during the inauguration of the San Jose del Monte Convention Center in Barangay Sapang Palay.

“I am very honored to announce that President Rodrigo Duterte has declared our beloved city a highly-urbanized city,” Robes said.

"We have their 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.”

Robes said the President could declare a city highly-urbanized within 30 days after it had reached a population of 200,000 0r more, as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority. It should also have an income of at least P50 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 issued the proclamation on 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.

The city of San Jose Del Monte also made it sure that even though there is a pandemic, the people will still feel the holiday season which is why they had a Disney Christmas parade around the city. Through this program, the kids and kids at heart were able to feel the Christmas spirit and at the same time safety protocols were followed. 

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE  INFRASTRUCTURE 

Soon, the Mini Sports Complex of San Jose Del Monte will rise which can be found at Barangay Tungkong Mangga. This is part of the infrastructure program of Cong. Rida Robes that will surely benefit the San Joseño.

Lastly, House Bill No. 2378 Committee Report No. 626 - AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE IN THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN AS HUMAN RESOURCE CAPITAL to provide employment and income opportunities was passed.

Principal Authored by REP. FLORIDA "RIDA" P. ROBES was approved on second reading by the House of Representatives.