By Eva C. Visperas

 

DAGUPAN City has seen better days— and worse ones too.

But as we witness a fresh dawn under the renewed leadership of Mayor Belen Fernandez, one cannot help but draw inspiration from her journey. If there’s a story to be told here, it’s that of resilience, redemption, and a future to be rebuilt on hard lessons and stronger vision.

Three years ago, Dagupan was caught in a political gridlock. What should have been years of growth and momentum became a period marked by halts, missed opportunities, and frustration. The city’s progress was throttled by discord at the highest levels of leadership, and many projects were shelved as politics took center stage.

But as the saying goes: After every storm comes a rainbow.

On May 12, 2025, history took a defining turn. Mayor Belen earned a resounding mandate from the Dagupeños with a margin of nearly 40,000 votes — the largest in the city’s political history. More than just numbers, this victory was a public verdict: a vote of confidence, a show of trust, and most importantly, a second chance to continue what had been started.

During her inaugural address, tears flowed — tears not of defeat, but of vindication and deep emotion. For someone who had endured political humiliation, relentless bashing, and sleepless nights, it was only human to let the pain melt into gratitude. But beyond sentiment, there was a renewed fire in her voice. The storm had passed, and now, work begins again  —this time, with more clarity and urgency.

At the core of Mayor Belen’s mission for her second term is one undeniable priority: education. In an interview, she recalled, “When I was a councilor, many kids didn’t go to school. So I thought, when I become mayor, I should build good schools.”

She wasn’t just speaking in slogans. Her track record speaks volumes. With funds allocated to improve school infrastructure, build libraries and science laboratories, and even provide proper site development to avoid flooding, the mayor is creating real environments where young minds can thrive.

Her vision doesn’t stop at infrastructure. It extends to quality. From installing air-conditioning units to ordering thousands of ergonomic chairs and tables. Mayor Belen wants students to learn with dignity and comfort. “I didn’t expect how happy the children would be,” she said, narrating how students appreciated even the simple upgrade of proper seating. That tells us something important: When government truly listens, it doesn’t take much to change a life.

The city is also boosting its scholarship program, with another 1,000 slots underway, honoring the promise made with Vice Mayor Bryan Kua. “Some have graduated already,” she said, “but we need to renew the scholarships to give more youth a chance.” It’s a vision that looks far ahead, to the next generation of barangay captains, local leaders, even future mayors.

But education is only the beginning.

In our recent interview, the mayor read off a lengthy list of upcoming infrastructure projects: the elevation of roads and dikes, construction of drainage canals, the plan to build the Maternity and Children’s Hospital, redevelopment of Tondaligan Blue Beach, installation of solar lights across the city, new school buildings, and a lot more. This was no PR list  —it was a clear message. The city government is working, and it is working fast.

And perhaps that’s what separates Mayor Belen from the rest. She’s not a mayor confined to air-conditioned offices. She’s on the ground, moving, inspecting, listening. “I wonder what her vitamins are,” one journalist quipped  —because her energy is relentless. But if you ask her, the real source of that stamina is simpler: seeing services reach the people.

The stormy years may have slowed Dagupan down, but they did not break its spirit. Today, with a unified city council and a hands-on leader, the city stands on the brink of transformation. Sulong Dagupan. Unaen Su Baley. These aren’t just slogans anymore  —they are the heartbeat of a city determined to rise. As Mayor Belen puts it, the time for politicking is over. It’s time to build.

And if you look closely now, past the thunderclouds of yesterday, you’ll see it too:
The rainbow has indeed come.

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