Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas Represents Philippines at Moscow Transportation Summit

Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas Represents Philippines at Moscow Transportation Summit

MOSCOW --The Philippine Embassy in Moscow, led by Ambassador Igor G. Bailen, warmly welcomed Hon. Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas of Santa Rosa City, Laguna, together with her official delegation during their first-ever visit to Russia to participate in the annual Moscow Transportation Summit.

Santa Rosa, recognized as one of the wealthiest and most progressive cities in the Philippines, was invited by the Moscow City Government to showcase its experiences, best practices, and policies as a “smart city,” with particular focus on public transportation. Mayor Arcillas was among the global leaders given the platform to share local governance strategies that highlight the city’s dynamic urban development.

The city of Santa Rosa has long been a hub of industrial and commercial activity in Southern Luzon. It is home to numerous industrial estates hosting world-renowned companies such as Coca-Cola and Toyota, as well as the country’s first and only world-class theme park, Enchanted Kingdom. These establishments, alongside major housing and commercial projects, have shaped Santa Rosa into a model for sustainable urban growth.

Mayor Arcillas’s participation in the Moscow forum underscores the growing role of Philippine local governments in global discussions on sustainable development. Santa Rosa has previously been invited to international platforms in New York and Geneva, organized by the United Nations, to highlight the crucial contribution of local government units in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the summit, Mayor Arcillas expressed her hope to learn from the experiences, best practices, and policies of other smart cities around the world, particularly in the field of transportation management. With urban mobility being one of the most pressing challenges for growing cities, the exchange of ideas is expected to foster innovative and practical solutions for Santa Rosa.

The Moscow Transportation Summit gathered mayors, city planners, and transportation leaders from various countries, creating an avenue for meaningful collaboration in building sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven transport systems. For Santa Rosa, this participation not only elevates its international presence but also opens opportunities for future partnerships with global cities.

Mayor Arcillas, who has been serving as the city’s chief executive since 2019 and was recently re-elected for her third consecutive term last May, first served as mayor from 2007 to 2016. Her continuous leadership highlights her commitment to advancing Santa Rosa as a competitive smart city while ensuring the welfare of its people remains at the center of development.

By: Roy Tomandao