San Pedro: P’noy Approves Mabalacat Cityhood

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has finally approved House Bill 2509/4735 or the Mabalacat Cityhood Bill, setting into motion the plebiscite that will pave way for the conversion of Mabalacat town into a component city.

It was a one small step but a big leap for Mabalacat that will surely usher it into the realm of economic globalization with the presence of key economic generators like the Clark International Airport, Clark Freeport Zone, and the modern Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway that links it to the deep-sea port of Subic. Mabalacat City is destined for greatness and no one can stop it. Not even an unsupportive Vice Mayor.

Once Mabalacat becomes a city, there will be a 5-year tax moratorium while public services will further improve. No other cities or towns in Pampanga will be at par with Mabalacat City once all the key economic generators work seamlessly, elevating the status of the once bucolic town in the world arena. Mabalacat is the new gateway of the country and that is a fact because everything else around Mabalacat will become accessories.

Several years ago, Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales, journalist Deng Pangilinan and yours truly had been dreaming of a “Mabalacat City” and it looks like it will happen now.

The Mabalaqueños support it particularly the Mabalacat Association of Barangay Captains (ABC). ABC President Jeng Yumul said all barangay captains in Mabalacat’s 21 barangays will support the cityhood of Mabalacat and thus will actively campaign for its approval during the scheduled plebiscite. “We will give our all-out support to the conversion of Mabalacat town into a city because we know that this will bring in more changes,” said Camachile Barangay Captain Jess Duran.

Yumul and Duran noted that the delivery of public services will further improve because the IRA allotment of Mabalacat will increase.

The Mabalacat cityhood bill was supported by Senators Lito Lapid, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Tito Sotto, Franklin Drilon, Jinggoy Estrada and Rep. Carmelo Lazatin who sponsored the Mabalacat cityhood bill. Lazatin is the touted “Father of Mabalacat Cityhood.”

What’s next in store? Watch out for the development of major infrastructure such as the Mabalacat Public Market, triple A slaughterhouse, lighting of major roadways, construction of additional classrooms in Mabalacat Community College and the proposed 168 retail building in Barangay Mabiga. All these and more are at stake with Boking at the helm.