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Mayor Rodrigo ‘Cocoy” Rafael: Changing the way we see Natividad, Pangasinan

Most of the time, we only hear about the negative news about government leaders, however there is much to know about the progress of each town in the Philippines.

Part of my advocacy in community blogging is to present a different perspective to readers.

Not everything we see and hear in the corporate news is true; there are many stories that need to unfold so that we can learn to share our efforts and energy in the right way.

Social media is one good way to widen the gap in information that we are experiencing.

Natividad,  Pangasinan: 


Here is a story about Natividad, Pangasinan and the leaders that are doing what they can in order to improve their community.

 Mayor Rodrigo "Cocoy" Rafael:

Natividad was once considered a sleepy town located in the 6th District of the Province of Pangasinan.

But due to the patience, effort and leadership of Mayor Rodrigo ‘Cocoy” Rafael and Natividad constituents the locality is now experiencing a number of projects that are benefitting the local residents.

According to the records released by DILG, Natividad, Pangasinan is now considered as one of the most outstanding municipalities.



Natividad has already achieved the Seal of Goodhousekeeping as a sign of good governance. 

Mayor Rafael is an example of an active leader who is exerting his energy in order to unite the efforts of the people in his town.

The Mayor is undeniably a family man, and he is also  a God- fearing. 

During this receiving speech, he was quoted saying 

“I owe the award to the townspeople who are supporting me and of course, the Sangguniang Bayan who have been helping me”.

It is with the realization that it takes everyone in order to build a good locality.

 He recognized that the only way to change an area is to energize his constitutions.

The Mayor’s office of Natividad, has maximized the power of social media.

The people of Natividad are informed as to the latest developments in their vicinity as well as the donations that are coming in for the community.

(c) Official FB account of Mayor Cocoy Rafael 


There is transparency in his leadership and there are actual projects that are helpful to the area itself.

His projects are focused on agriculture, school improvements, road improvements as well as effective tourism development.




(c) Official FB page of Natividad

Natividad now has a zipline that is drawing tourists as well as a grotto.  

Mayor Rafael is focused on creating more avenues for investments in order to increase the revenue of the locality.

Natividad is considered as a peaceful town, he is promoting Peace projects and events.

 The area is no longer a place for insurgents.
People can now roam freely and can enjoy what the landscape has to offer.

The Mayor has set a good example, and continuously works with neighboring LGU units in order to improve the facilities in Natividad.

Under his leadership the Senior Citizen’s Day has also been celebrated.

 The program was able to address hundreds of elders coming from different barangays.


(c) Official FB page of Natividad
Gov. Amado T. Espino was also present in the creation of this event for senior citizens.

There is consistency with his projects including the rehabilitation of historical site in the public market.

Under his leadership they were able to protect important locations in Natividad like the Dalipauen Tree located in Brgy. Poblacion East, Natividad.

 Tourism-friendly projects:

The Sky Plaza was also constructed during the time of his leadership.

Sky Plaza is a park built on top of a hill located in Barangay Batchelor East, Natividad.
(c) What's up Dagupan: Official  FB page of Natividad
It now contains a two story octagon-shaped multipurpose hall, as well as a 120 meter zipline.

 It also has picnic tables and wide parking spaces and there is a stairway that leads to the Grotto of the Virgin Mary in the upper side of the hill.

The Sky Plaza in Natividad is reflective of the collaborative efforts of the Mayor and the people of Natividad.

It shows that active community participation has a healing effect in a particular area. Political will is also very important.

You need to have love and care for your own locality in order to make changes.

The people from Natividad Pangasinan, even from those who are already outside the country are pouring in their support for their place—leading to the positive changes that we are now seeing.

(c) Official FB page of Natividad

Let us all learn from the people of Natividad, Pangasinan.

(c) Official FB page of Natividad

 (c) Photos taken from the Official FB page of Natividad



Notes: All of the photos from this blog has been borrowed from the Official FB page of Natividad, Pangasinan, (http://pangasinan.gov.ph/the-province/cities-and-municipalities/natividad/)

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