Monday, July 30, 2007 Balamban to become next new city
REP. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, third district) is set to file a bill converting Balamban of Cebu’s western seaboard into a city.
Balamban, where shipbuilding thrives, “more than meets” the requirement for income which is usually a hurdle for other municipalities wanting to become a city, said Garcia.
Balamban has grown into an industrial municipality because of the shipbuilding industry, which is now internationally known, located in Barangay Buanoy.
More than a decade ago, Balamban was only a fourth class municipality but later on became a first class municipality.
Municipal officials cited that their town remains “peaceful and beautiful” despite the progress it has earned through the years.
The bill for Balamban’s cityhood will be the first proposal that Garcia will file in Congress, aside from him being a co-author of the proposed bill to declare the whole island of Cebu an economic zone.
“I think Balamban is more qualified than the cities recently approved,” said Pablo John.
Recently, two municipalities in Cebu were converted into cities: Bogo in the north and Carcar in the south.
All new
Shortly before the end of their previous term or just last month, the Senate also approved another bill converting Naga, southern Cebu into a component city.
Just last week, a plebiscite also capped Lapu-Lapu City’s effort to become a highly urbanized city, independent of the Cebu Provincial Government.
Aside from Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, the cities in Cebu island include Danao in the north and Toledo and Talisay in the south.
Also last week, Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob said he will initiate moves for Consolacion to become a city.
Municipalities expect a higher share in the country’s Internal Revenue Allotment when they become cities.
Businessmen, however, are wary of tax increases. The Capitol, for its part, will lose its share of some taxes, such as real property, when towns are converted into cities.
In 2003 yet, a Commission on Audit report on the financial performance of municipalities already showed that Balamban ranked second in net income for provincial level and third for regional level with P20.574 million, the town’s website read.
It added that among the 47 municipalities in the province, Balamban ranked second for total income and total equity category with P78.305 million and eighth for total assets. (JPM)
