Capas: The Face of the Next City

Dubbed the “Next City” in Tarlac, Capas is indeed only a few steps away from cityhood especially upon the realization of the Green City Project―poised to become the next big metropolis.

TARLAC’S CENTER FOR TOURISM

Known world-wide for its rich history marked by the infamous Death March and as the Gateway to the majestic view of Mt. Pinatubo, it’s now popular among thousands of mountaineers and visitors for exciting trekking adventures.

EMERGING BUSINESS CAPITAL

As a first class municipality now flourished with large factories, businesses and companies such as the PilMico Inc., D’Luxe Bags Inc., Puregold and other large and micro, small, medium enterprises of the town, Capas has managed to maintain a business-friendly environment. Capas is now set to hold a large part of the Clark Green City Project.

The CGC, proposed to be a central park with a business district wrapped around magnificent views of the hills—is to be served by public transport, housing and industries. It will be a network of open spaces forming bonds between diverse mixed-use districts and a destination where nature, lifestyle and business, education, and industry converge into a global city based on principles of sustainability (clarkgreencityphils.com). Therefore, more economic development opportunities await for the fast-growing municipality.

OLD FACE, NEW DAYS

In any municipality’s promising status, its community will be in great need of an effective leader to maximize its potentials. Thus, Capas recently hailed a familiar face and is now led by an experienced leader known to the locale and neighbouring towns, cities or provinces; three-term undefeated and comeback mayor, Reynaldo L. Catacutan.

Besides his wide knowledge of his hometown acquired through both life experiences and years of government service as a provincial board member, municipal administrator, former LMP (League of Municipalities of the Philippines) chapter president and national spokesperson apart from his 2001-2010 mayoral terms, Mayor Catacutan or ReyCat (as called by locals) has also worked as a consultant in both private and government sectors and as Vice President of the Clark International Airport.

Digging into his early life, it is quite surprising to some that the successful man he is now actually hails from a poor family in Sitio Bagong Barrio of Brgy. Talaga.

“As a child, I had to wake up as early as 5:00 AM to tend the carabao and do farming chores. Pag-uwi galing sa skwela trabaho ulit. I had to do work and study at the same time from elementary to high school. Back in college, I worked as a janitor while I was a university scholar,” Catacutan says reminiscing his past.

And as he return to local government service (defeating his co-candidate who was the incumbent mayor at the time), just in a hundred days, he was able to establish the largest and believed to be the best Drug Reformatory Center in Central Luzon; the Capas Bahay Pagababago. The CBP-DRC was well-praised by all local, provincial, regional to national officials of DILG, PNP, PDEA, TESDA and have also garnered the support of the DSWD and DOH, grabbing the attention of national and local media, both in print and TV or broadcast, as well as the social media.

Not to mention, he was able to gather donations from different stakeholders and corporations within and outside the municipality making it possible for Capas to renovate the ONC, benefit from donated ambulances and vehicles, and distribute wheelchairs, medical benefits and more.

From implementing basic services and prompt assistance to his beloved cabalen to good relationships with investors and bringing creative ideas to Capas, ReyCat is the right man for the job. It seems he is destined to lead Capas amidst its progressive state and use his invaluable experiences to make the cityhood possible.

From sweat and tears, biking his way home and wearing tarnished old broken shoes, he has managed to graduate cum laude in B.S Criminology at Angeles University Foundation and later on Bachelor of Law and a Doctorate Degree in Public Administration.

He is now a husband, a father, one of the most successful man of his generation and a leader carrying today’s challenge to Capas, the Face of the Next City.