Sta. Rosa City, Laguna. Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas once again recognized the efforts of every individual in the City of Santa Rosa in this year’s Sikhayan Festival held on February 18 at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex.
Sikhayan was derived from the words “sikap” at “kabuhayan” which intends to celebrate and recognize the efforts of the people in the city.
In her message during the opening of the festival, Mayor Arlene said that the “pagsisikhay” of the citizens was the key to the development of Santa Rosa from the former municipality which thrived from farming and fishing towards becoming a commercial and industrial city that it is today. In addition to the investors that entered and have continued to stay inside the city for many years.
Mayor Arlene also called on everyone’s participation for the continuous development of Santa Rosa consistent with the theme of Sikahayan 2023.
“Sikhayan is a testament to the unity and efforts not only of the City Government, not only of the industries, but of each and every Santa Rosa family,” she said.
The late Mayor Leon C. Arcillas who is considered the “Ama ng Lungsod” was also recognized by Mayor Arlene for having faith in the potential of the city and its citizens to reach the progress it is enjoying today.
She also added that in the celebration of the 25th Sikhayan Festival in 2024, companies and industries inside the city will be invited as participants in the street dance competition.
“Let us all prove that the Lion City will keep on roaring and will keep on developing… Santa Rosa will be the best city to play in, do business in and live in not only in South Luzon but in the whole of the Philippines,” in her ending statement.
Santa Rosa was formerly known as Barrio Bukol which is part of Bian. It became a separate municipality on January 18, 1792, and the celebration of Sikhayan Festival coincides with the anniversary of its establishment as a separate town.
Participatory governance since 2007
The City of Santa Rosa, under the leadership of Mayor Arlene, has been implementing the participatory style of governance ever since. It is a style of governance in which the officials give importance to the participation and contribution of every sector in creating and implementing the plans and programs.
Because of the solidarity of every sector, the city continues to receive recognition every year. Some of the recognitions received in year 2022 include the Seal of Good Local Governance Award, Outstanding Anti-Drug Abuse Council in 2021 from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Outstanding SUBAYBAYAN LGU in Calabarzon -Top Subaybayani Compliant LGU and Top LGU Implementer (Cities and HUC) from the DILG-4A; Top 9 Most Competitive (Economic Dynamism) – Component Cities from the Department of Trade and Industry; NHA Maintainer Award 2021 from the Calabarzon Regional Sub-Committee on Nutrition; Gawad Kalasag Seal of Excellence – Beyond Compliance from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council; and Finalist in the Most Business-Friendly LGU for City Level 2 Category of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Roy Tomandao
Si Roy Tumandao ay kasalukuyang pangulo ng Camp Vicente Lim Press Corps. Nagsimula siya sa larangan ng media noong 1992 at aktibo bilang photo journalist at news correspondent para sa iba’t ibang tabloid. Broadcaster siya ng DZJV 1458 Radyo Calabarzon.
