100 DAYS | From Promises to Progress in a “Bayung Sta. Rita” By Mark Sison

One hundred days since assuming office, Sta. Rita Mayor Reynan Calo has begun shaping his vision of a “Bayung Sta. Rita–Balen Ning Pag-Asa, Pamagtupad King Pangaku”, a new and revitalized town founded on transparency, compassion, and inclusive progress.

A two-term councilor before his election as mayor, Calo also built his career as a businessman in the advertising and printing industry, where he earned a reputation for creativity, hard work, and reliability.

Taking his oath of office on June 30, 2025, he hit the ground running with a governance platform anchored in healthcare, education, senior citizen welfare, and good governance, core pillars that reflect both his entrepreneurial discipline and his grassroots experience in public service.

His administration vowed to turn campaign promises into tangible programs that uplift the lives of Riteños. In his first months in office, Calo worked closely with barangay officials, educators, and health workers to identify pressing community concerns and craft localized solutions. He emphasized participatory governance, describing it as “the kind of leadership that listens before it leads.”

Highlights of the First 100 Days

During the 100 Days in Office Report held at the Sta. Rita Municipal Covered Court, guests from both the public and private sectors, civic organizations, and local officials gathered to witness the young mayor’s first report card. The event drew representatives from national agencies, business leaders, the clergy, and education sector partners who have joined hands with the LGU in driving community initiatives.

Mayor Calo reported several key accomplishments:

1. The Municipal Health Office expanded outreach programs for senior citizens and indigent families, improving access to primary healthcare and essential medicines. Financial assistance and guarantee letters benefitted over 2,400 individuals.

2. An executive order was issued to establish the Calogoran Center, a one-stop shop offering various services, including free legal assistance.

3. Over 17,000 relief goods were distributed during the Habagat season.

4. In collaboration with the Department of Education, efforts were made to improve classroom conditions, while groundwork was laid for a municipal scholarship program to support deserving students.

5. The Ritenian Educational Assistance Program (REAP) supported 2,569 college students without any cut-off, benefitting all qualified Ritenian scholars.

6. Emphasizing youth empowerment through sports, Calo led the opening of the Central Zone Athletic Meet 2025 at Sta. Rita College of Pampanga, where he reminded student-athletes that “discipline and teamwork are the real medals worth earning.”

7. Daily garbage collection and transfer from the Materials Recovery Facility to the Dila-Dila Sanitary Landfill have been maintained to improve sanitation.

8. Revitalizing the Pamagduman tradition, Calo provided financial assistance to 25 duman farmers with the support of Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, ensuring the presence of duman in the upcoming Duman Festival in December.

9. Almost 1,300 individuals were assisted through the TUPAD Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

10. The municipality began modernizing its statistics and mapping systems in response to boundary disputes with Bacolor, Guagua, and Porac that affected population figures.

11. With help from partners, over 5,000 seedlings and more than 100 plants were planted at the Eco Park, now a venue for jogging, running, and other major events.

12. Calo extended support to MSMEs, especially local coffee shops that are proliferating in town.

13. In celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Sta. Rita de Cascia Church, the LGU is working to have the church declared a national historical landmark.

14. He also expressed all-out support for Arti Sta. Rita, a cultural group recognized both nationally and internationally.

15. For public safety, CCTV cameras were installed in the Poblacion, particularly around the public market and key traffic areas.

16. Plans were announced for the construction of a new public market with wet and dry sections, along with a modern slaughterhouse.

A teary-eyed Mayor Calo publicly thanked his family for their unwavering support from the campaign period until now.

Transparency and accountability have become hallmarks of Calo’s early leadership. He instituted open forums with department heads and citizens, ensuring that government projects and budgets are publicly discussed. “Good governance begins with good communication,” he said, reiterating his promise of an open, people-centered administration.

A Town Rich in Culture and Character

Sta. Rita, a 4th-class municipality with a population of 48,209 (2020 Census) and around 29,564 registered voters, is one of Pampanga’s smallest yet most culturally vibrant towns. Founded in 1770, it is known for its devotion to Sta. Rita de Cascia, its patron saint, and for its famed delicacies like turrones de casoy, duman, and uraro. The town has 10 barangays, with San Basilio and Dila-Dila being the largest by land area.

Economically, Sta. Rita remains agriculture-based, with most residents engaged in rice, sugarcane, and vegetable farming. Its cottage industries, particularly known for native sweets and delicacies, have become a source of local pride and sustainable livelihood. The town’s well-preserved ancestral houses and Baroque-style church have made it a favorite of filmmakers and tourists, earning it the moniker “Little Hollywood of Pampanga.”

Financially, Sta. Rita operates with a modest yet stable fiscal base. In 2021, the town received an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of P126.53 million and generated about P7.98 million in local income giving it a total budget of around P134.52 million. The municipality’s net worth stands at approximately P139.9 million, ranking it among Pampanga’s financially sound LGUs.

A Vision Beyond the First 100 Days

Calo has pledged to optimize these resources through transparent budgeting and responsible fiscal management, with a focus on essential services and infrastructure development. His administration has begun reviewing local revenue-generating projects to boost Sta. Rita’s economic resilience while maintaining fiscal discipline.

As the LGU seeks to balance progress with heritage preservation, Calo envisions transforming Sta. Rita into a model community that harmonizes growth with cultural identity.

At the close of his 100-day report, Mayor Calo reaffirmed his long-term commitment to his constituents: “We have set the foundation. The next hundred days will be about building not just structures, but trust, unity, and pride in being Riteño.”

BAP NEWS MARK SISON BapNews Mark Sison Pampanga Newsweek CLMA Pampanga Chapter MAS Channel: Media, Affairs & Stories