On December 29, 2013, what was then the municipality of San Pedro, Laguna officially became a city after residents ratified in a plebiscite Republic Act No. 10420, signed by the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, which converted San Pedro into a component city in the province.
Ten years forward, and under the leadership of Mayor Art Mercado, the city government of San Pedro is now ready to go all out on a much-needed “makeover” as it pursues the local city executive’s goal of becoming “Una sa Laguna.”
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the cityhood of San Pedro, Laguna, Mercado along with other officials led the official groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the San Pedro City Plaza in Barangay Poblacion.
The City Plaza, facing the San Pedro Apostol Parish Church in downtown San Pedro, was the site of many of the city’s historic events as well as a magnet for various activities highlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage and talents.
"Ang ating City Plaza ay nagsilbing saksi sa nakaraan ng ating bayan, kaya ito ay nararapat na pangalagaan sa ating hinaharap," was how Engr. Allan dela Cruz, officer in charge of the San Pedro City Engineering Office, put it in his speech.
Magnet for events and tourists
According to Dela Cruz, the concept of the redesigned city plaza reflects the LGU's desire to look forward to a progressive future while at the same time honoring the city’s history and cultural heritage.
"Pagagandahin po natin hindi lamang ang basketball court kundi pati na rin ang iba pang mga pasilidad na nakapalibot dito," he said, adding that the ultimate goal of the city government is to make the plaza once again a magnet for events and trade as it had been in his youth.
The new design also incorporates a rainwater reservoir that will not only alleviate the problem of flooding in the barangays of Poblacion and Sto. Nino but also store water that can be used for various purposes.
“Ang goal ng disenyo ay ma-accommodate ang lahat ng gustong gumamit ng ating plaza: makipaglaro, makipagkwentuhan, o kaya mag-hang out ang mga San Pedrense kasama ang pamilya o barkada," Dela Cruz stressed.
Reflections on cityhood
In his own speech, Mercado emphasized the vital role of every San Pedrense in the decades that San Pedro was transformed from a sleepy town on the edge of Metro Manila to one of the leading industrial and commercial hubs in Laguna province.
“Sometimes we win; sometimes we lose, but all the time we learn, and it’s when we lose we become stronger and better—realizing that something needs to be done differently but always together,” the city executive emphasized.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the City Plaza, for Mercado, is a fitting tribute to the city, as it meant a revival of the site that has become the central venue of many events in its history.
"Ngayong ikasampung anibersaryo ng cityhood ng San Pedro ay sinisimulan na po natin ang pagpapanumbalik sa ating City Plaza. Gagawin natin itong maaliwalas, multi-functional at open sa lahat, while at the same time, mare-representa ang ating mayamang kultura," Mercado asserted.
PHOTO CAPTION:
A new San Pedro City Plaza is now on its way as City Mayor Art Mercado (left), accompanied by his wife Mika Mercado and other city officials, lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the "redevelopment" of the city plaza Friday, December 29. The event coincides with the celebration of the 10th cityhood anniversary of San Pedro City. (Photo by Catherine Go)
#OpinYonLaguna #SanPedroCity #ArtMercado #CityhoodAnniversary #OpinYon #WeTakeAStand