San Jose del Monte City lone district Rep. Florida "Rida" Robes (Facebook)

Despite feeling sadness, San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City lone district Rep. Florida Robes says she is accepting the will of the people on their collective decision to reject the city's conversion into a highly urbanized city (HUC). 

Robes, a veteran in the House of Representatives, had spearheaded the campaign for her district's HUC conversion. The plebiscite took place Monday, Oct. 30, or on the same day as the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). 

“Taos puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng aming minamahal na San Joseño at kapwa namin Bulakenyo sa  inyong paglahok sa nakaraang plebisito,” Robes said. 

(We give heartfelt thanks to all our beloved San Joseño and fellow Bulakenyos for participating in the plebiscite.) 

“Bagaman nabigo ang tuntunin na aming sinuportahan, lubos naming tinatanggap ang kalooban ng sambayanan. Ito ang diwa ng ating demokrasya, at makaaasa po kayo sa aming puspos na pagtataguyod,” reckoned the lady solon. 

(Despite failing in our endeavor, we fully accept the will of the people. Such is the essence of democracy, and you can be assured of our full support.) 

Robes, whose spouse is the mayor of the city, she will continue to uplift the city and serve her constituents. 

“Tuloy pa rin ang pagpupunyagi namin na paunlarin ang lungsod, ibigay ang serbisyo sa kabila ng pagkabigo nating makuha ang HUC status ng aming lungsod," she vowed. 

(We will continue our goal of pursuing progress for the city, and to serve despite failing to achieve the HUC status for the city. 

A total of 820,385 voted “no” to HUC status as opposed to more than 620,707  “yes” votes during the plebiscite. 

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando and former Bulacan governor Wilhelmimo Alvarado have been actively campaigning against SJDM's bid to become an HUC. 

Fernando and Alavarado claimed the move would result in loss of jobs and increase in local government fees.