Sofronio “Nas” C. Ona, Jr.
City Mayor, City of Calaca, Batangas
Mayor Sofronio C. Ona, Jr. exemplifies a leader with vision and translates them into concrete actions. He believes in a governance characterized by integrity, transparency, and accountability geared toward sustainable economic development and a more extensive scope of social services.
Mayor Ona’s humble beginnings in public service started when he won his first election as Mayor of the then Municipality of Calaca, Batangas in 2004. He is the first and only local chief executive of Calaca who has been elected for five terms (2004-2013, 2019-present). His vibrant leadership has transformed the town from a third-class to a first-class municipality, and now into a component city of the province of Batangas. His exemplary performance as a transformative leader paved the way to be elected as President of the League of Municipal Mayors in the Philippines – Batangas Chapter from 2010 to 2013; and later on, as an elected Vice-Governor of the Province of Batangas.
He embarked on politics with a mission—to provide the best public service every Calacazen deserves. Upon assuming office as mayor, he focused on equipping the human workforce of the then municipal government with more effective and efficient civil servants. His proactive style of leadership earned the trust of top industries in the Philippines, thus stirring up industrial development along the coastal barangays of Calaca. Mayor Ona played a pivotal role in the making of Calaca as the first component city in Western Batangas. His relentless pursuit for cityhood gained overwhelming support from Calacazens having one of the highest voter turnouts during the plebiscite for the ratification of the Charter of the City of Calaca.
Mayor Ona strongly advocates preserving and nurturing the culture of Calaca. He is the brainchild of the Calacatchara Festival, showcasing the distinct heritage of the city while promoting the locally made Atsarang Calaca. Likewise, Corrida de Cavalos en Ciudad de Calaca (formerly named as Carrera de Paso) was institutionalized to safeguard the longstanding tradition of devotees of St. Raphael Archangel. The same is true with the inception of Feria Octubre de Rafael which is celebrated every month of October. Mayor Ona believes that a strong work ethic balanced with love and commitment to change are vital components in achieving sustainable community development, thus conceiving the City of Calaca’s new mantra—Nasa Puso at Gawa ang Bukas. As such, his banner program, NASA GAWA, encapsulates his flagship programs and projects of the LGU which enjoin multiple sectors of society to uplift their socio-economic conditions. Under the NASA GAWA banner program, the local government has launched the following programs: NASA ISIP Programang Pang-edukasyon, NASA LAKAS Programang Pangkalusugan, NASA SIPAG Programang Pangakrikultura, NASA TIYAGA Programang Pangkabuhayan, NASA HUSAY Programang Sumusuporta sa Calacazen. Part of this umbrella program is NASA BARANGAY, a collaborative effort of various LGU offices to bring all the basic services closest to the barangays on a scheduled day to minimize turnaround time and directly deliver the much-needed support for the Calacazens. Another important program is dedicated to Medical Assistance via the Orange Health Card which provides crucial financial assistance for medical expenses to Calacazen families. Indeed, Calaca City has reached political, socio-economic, and cultural milestones under the strong leadership and governance of Mayor Ona.
His leadership extended beyond Calaca as he also served as Vice Governor of the Province of Batangas from 2016 to 2019. Known to his constituents as Vice Gawa, he upheld a transparent and inclusive leadership through the passage of pertinent legislation promoting the well-being of every Batangueño. Under his tenure as the head of the legislative of the province, the Provincial Board enacted landmark ordinances that safeguard the rights of various sectors and organizations like persons with disabilities, women, Overseas Filipino Workers, barangay functionaries, children, and the elderly. Likewise, the passage of legislative instruments such as public-private partnerships for the people and amendments to pertinent tax ordinances provided a wider horizon for the province to venture into more opportunities for economic growth. Moreover, his leadership inspired the collaborative effort of the provincial board to expedite the provincial government’s programs on health, peace and order, public works, information and technology, tourism, and the arts with timely and relevant legislative instruments.
His heart for service transcends beyond the walls of his office. He is currently the Council Chairman of Boys Scouts of the Philippines-Batangas Council, as well as a Director of the Philippine Red Cross. His enthusiasm for horses led to his membership in the Batangas Breeders Club and Batangas Standardbred Horse Owners Association and the institutionalization of Corrida de Cavalos en Ciudad de Calaca.
Mayor Ona is the third child of the late Atty. Sofronio Aguila Ona, Sr., and the late Atty. Fe Calanog Ona. He is a devoted family man married to Dra. Marjolyne Sharon V. Ona, and a loving father to his daughter, Frances Faye V. Ona. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Business Administration) at the University of Sto. Tomas.
It is also worth mentioning that Mayor Ona comes from a notable family of a Batangueño clan. He is related to the renowned maker of the First Philippine Flag, Doña Marcela Mariño Agoncillo, who was his great-grandaunt. Doña Marcela was the wife of a great lawyer and statesman, Don Felipe Agoncillo which makes him the great-granduncle of Mayor Ona by affinity.
A man with a passionate vision and a man of painstaking action, Mayor Ona exemplifies a dedicated public servant who upholds good governance for the general welfare of his beloved hometown, the City of Calaca.