How Mayor Francis Zamora made San Juan ‘The One’

Known as “The Big Man of San Juan,” Mayor Francis Zamora has made big strides in creating programs and initiatives focused on improving the way of life of San Juaneños and making the smallest city in the National Capital Region (NCR) into a very progressive and prosperous city anyone could ever live in. 

One of his administration’s biggest feats is in making the city with the lowest crime volume among all cities in the NCR, particularly in cases of illegal drugs and substances. 

This is all due to his and the city government’s proactive anti-illegal drugs programs which not just focus on apprehension, but the rehabilitation of persons who use drugs (PWUDs)  

“The result is a safer and happier community, as well as increased property values and investor confidence across the city.” Zamora said. 

 Zamora also led the upgrading of the San Juan Medical Center from a Level 1 to a Level 2 hospital, offering expanded services and new procedures to better meet his constituents’ needs. 

“In pursuit of achieving Level 3 certification, we are soon opening a cancer ward, with generous support from donors, as well as a dialysis center. Additionally, we have partnered with other hospitals and healthcare facilities, ensuring that if a procedure is not available at the San Juan Medical Center, San Juaneños can still access the highest quality care through our partner institutions. Regardless whether a patient is admitted in a public or a private hospital, the city provides financial assistance, which in most cases one experiences a zero-balance billing,” Zamora said. 

His administration also focused on the improvement of the city’s quality of education by providing learners and teachers with the resources they need for their academic and teaching success.

“Each public school teacher has been provided with a laptop, and each student with a personal learning device. Every classroom is equipped with fiber optic internet connection and a 55-inch smart TV, while households of public school students enjoy free fiber optic internet connection as well. We also provide free school and PE uniforms, and rubber shoes, ensuring every student has the resources needed for academic success,” the mayor explained.

On the infrastructure front, the Zamora administration built modern facilities across San Juan, including new barangay halls, multipurpose halls, and wooden covered basketball courts in barangays and public schools. 

“We are also nearing the completion of the country’s first 22-storey high-rise, in-city, socialized public housing in Barangay St. Joseph, built in partnership with the DPWH, and construction is about to begin on a 23-storey housing project in Barangay Batis through the NHA. Additionally, San Juan City is working closely with DHSUD under the 4PH Program to build more high-rise, in-city, socialized public housing buildings on city-owned lots, promising thousands of new housing units for San Juaneños,” he said. 

San Juan City also regularly holds job fairs, operates the highest-rated Public Employment Services Office (PESO) in Metro Manila, and has implemented an online skills registry for efficient job matching for skilled workers.

“Our well-trained workforce, sound economic policies, and excellent peace and order situation have contributed to increased investor confidence, evidenced by the opening of more businesses and expansions, such as the recent developments at Greenhills Mall. Tax revenues continue to grow as new establishments open throughout the city,” the mayor said.

“Makabagong San Juan programs are designed to elevate the standard of living in San Juan City and demonstrate that our citizens deserve and should expect excellence in governance. San Juaneños now believe their government can truly deliver results that improve their lives. They have come to expect better, and rightfully so,” he noted.

(Photo) Mayor Francis Zamora with Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.