Inclusivity, the practice of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, have long been a declared policy of the city government in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Last July, during his State of the City Address, Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan reported on the various programs and projects under his administration that ensured and supported the right of marginalized sectors to health, education, employment and livelihood, a balanced ecology, and social justice.

Mayor AJAM urged the people of Sto. Tomas to preserve the gains of the city’s Inclusivity Drive on the road of development and prosperity. “Patuloy tayong magkaisa at magtulungan para sa mataas na antas ng kaunlaran na ating hinahangad [Let us join hands and help one another to realize this higher level of progress and development that we all aspire for].”

In an interview with the Philippines Graphic, the mayor noted that in the country today, there are real obstacles to a satisfactory quality of life that is the right of every Filipino.

“We in government must see to it that equal protection, justice, and equal opportunities for a better future must be provided for the senior citizens, disabled, the illiterate, the out-of-school, the disadvantaged, and all others that comprise the marginalized sectors of our society,” he stressed.

The Graphic interviewed residents of the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas who shared their experiences on how the city government’s policy on inclusivity affected their lives.

Except for a short stint as laborer in Saudi Arabia, Celso Gonzaga has lived almost 50 years of his life as farmer

“I was 15 years old when I held my first plow. Coming back from abroad, I returned to my carabao and my plow, here, in my family’s small farm in Barangay San Pedro,” Celso said.

At 67, he remembers the scarcity of arable land and the steaming hot desert of Saudi Arabia. “Mainit na disyerto ang Saudi. Kakaunti ang lupa doon, puro buhangin [Scorching hot desert in Saudi. There is not much arable land, only sand].”

One good thing about working in Saudi, Celso noted, is his introduction to the tractor. “They practice mechanized farming in Saudi,” adding that it is so much easier to use the tractor in loosening and turning the soil for planting.

HARD LIFE, BRUTAL WEATHER

Celso considers a farmer’s life as hard, especially now when the whole world is dealing with climate change.

“Isinilang akong araro’t kalabaw ang hawak ng tatay para magsaka. Ngayon, kung buhay pa ang tatay ko, hanggang ngayon siguro araro’t kalabaw pa rin. Napakahirap. [I was born with my father farming our plot using the carabao and plow. If he were still alive today, he might still be tilling the land using his carabao and plow. It is so hard.]

He likened farming in the Philippines to playing in the casino, in terms of the chances of achieving farming success.

“Sugal lahat. Mag-iinvest ka ng puhunan, magpapakahirap ka sa pag araro ng lupa, nang hindi mo nalalaman kung mag-aani. Ang panahon ngayon, masyadong brutal. Kapag bumagyo dito sa Batangas, nagguguho ang lupa, daming namamatay [Everything is a gamble. You will till the land the hard way and you are not sure if you can have a harvest. The weather nowadays is brutal. When a storm hits Batangas, the land erodes. There are landslides and many die].

CITY GOV’T ASSISTANCE

Celso expressed his thanks to the city government and to Mayor AJAM in particular, for the timely assistance he received after the sequence of typhoons that affected his community.

“He (Mayor AJAM) provided us with the free use of a tractor. This would have cost me almost P10,000 to a hectare, otherwise,” he said.

The city government enrolled Celso in an assistance program that give farmers like him fertilizer and seeds, as well as lessons in organic farming, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“Kapag sinabing magsasaka, alam naman na hindi yan mapera. Sa pamamagitan ni Mayor, nagka-roon kami ng paraan makagamit ng libreng traktora, binhi at organic na abono [When you say farmer, you know that he does not have much money. With the Mayor’s help, we were able to access tractors, seeds, and organic fertilizer]. Celso bared.

He added that he and the other farmers were issued P15,000-worth of vouchers for the organic fertilizer, seeds, and other farm inputs. “We have a responsibility to return the cash via our farming cooperatives,” he said.

Celso is a member of the Magsasakang Tomasinong Batangueño Agriculture Cooperative.     

Veronica Baruga, 65, has been a resident of Sto. Tomas, Batangas for the last eight years. Her father is a true-blue Batangueño from Barangay San Jose. Her mother is from Samar

Now a widow, Veronica said that she is grateful for the concern their city government gives to senior citizens.

“Si Mayor AJAM, ang dami nyang program. Lahat natupad. Recipient ako ng maintenance medicine na binibigay ng libre sa senior citizens. Yung pension payout, recipient din ako [Mayor AJAM has many programs. The programs always deliver. I am a recipient of the maintenance medicine that they give for free to senior citizens. I am also a recipient of the city’s pension payout] for seniors,” Veronica related.

Being a leader of the senior citizens group in their community, Veronica said that they are organized and have made a complete list of their members.

“Natutulungan kami ni Mayor AJAM financially. Yung pang daily subsistence ko. Nabibigyan nya kami ng groceries at bigas,” she said, adding that she has been encouraged by the city government to join in the livelihood opportunities offered by the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Veronica remains active as a senior member of Barangay San Jose and looks forward to the periodic visits of barangay health workers. “Nabibigyan nila ako ng libreng bakuna laban sa pneumonia [They give me free pneumococcal vaccines].”

At 20, Christine D. Argamoza sells dry goods at the Sto. Tomas wet market. She has been a resident of Barangay San Vicente for the last four years

Christine said she used to reside in Muntinglupa, but moved to the City of Sto. Tomas, “because of the many opportunities” that the city offered.

For one, she immediately found work as a market vendor and she and her elder sister easily found a home in the city. “Kumuha po ang Ate ko ng bahay [my elder sister got us a house], adding that they found the living conditions at the Highlands Residences in Barangay San Vicente to be pleasant and hospitable.

While selling goods, Christine related that “the Mayor’s people would go around the market to alert us if a storm was coming. Nagsasabi po sila agad [They would give immediate notice].

She added that the city government’s Alisto Ako volunteers would help them secure their supplies in a safe place.

Married and with one child, 47-year-old Andrew Villanueva earns P15,000 a month as a tricycle driver

A resident of Barangay San Miguel, he has earned a living driving pedicabs for the last 10 years and is a member of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association 2 (TODA 2) in their community.

For more than two years now, Andrew has been sourcing his family’s medical needs from the city government. “Malaki ang tulong sa mga TODA members ni Mayor AJAM. Nabigyan nya kami ng programa para sa libreng gamot at vitamins, libreng bakuna sa flu at pneumonia, hanggang libreng face masks [Mayor AJAM helped TODA members considerably. He gave us a program that allowed us to avail of free medicine and vitamins, free vaccines for flu and pneumonia, up to free face masks].”

The support, Andrew said, helped increase the resistance of his family from diseases. “Gumanda ang kundisyon ng kalusugan ko. Nakaka-pasada na ako ng regular kaya malaking tulong sa aking pamilya [My health condition improved. I can now work regularly which is a big help to my family.]”

He is particularly grateful for the city government’s TODANG Suporta ng May Ngiting Tomasino,  a project that provides free dentures. “Hindi ka na mahihiyang ngumiti [Now, you won’t be afraid to smile],” he said.

Monette Nueva, 42, is an ALISTO AKO volunteer for the city government’s health office

“Pangunahing obligasyon ko ay ang mag-profile ng mga pamilya sa aming barangay upang malaman ang pangkalusugan nilang pangangailangan. [My primary obligation is to profile the families to know their health needs]. We disseminate the information to the City Health Office,” Monette said.

She doesn’t receive a salary for her volunteer work. Instead, she receives P1,000 a month for food allowance and transportation.

When asked if she found the job of a volunteer difficult, Monette quipped: “Hindi po. Masaya po maging [No. In fact, I am happy to be an] ALISTO Ako volunteer. It is a chance for people like me to help in improving our barangay.”

The city government of Sto. Tomas led by Mayor Atty. Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that all residents, regardless of their origin, receive equal treatment and opportunities in the community.

Whether you were born here or have made Sto. Tomas your home through work, education, or other pursuits, you are valued and embraced as a true Tomasino.

The city’s administration believes that diversity enriches the community, and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Initiatives and programs are in place to support not only local residents but also those who have chosen Sto. Tomas as their place of residence. This commitment extends to all sectors, including education, employment, and community services.

“Mahal kami ng Lungsod ng Sto. Tomas” encapsulates the Tomasino ethos—reflecting a dedication to nurture a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive. Sto. Tomas is a city where differences are celebrated, and all voices are heard.

“As we continue to develop and grow, the City of Sto. Tomas will remain a sanctuary for all, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit. Together, we can build a vibrant and inclusive city that honors every resident’s contributions and aspirations,” Mayor AJAM said.