Thursday, February 08, 2007
City Council opposes cityhood of 12 towns
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao
THE Iloilo City Council is opposed to moves of 12 towns applying for cityhood as it could cut the share of the city's Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of not less than P40 million.
Councilor Joe Espinosa III has initiated the proposal to pass a resolution urging President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to veto the Senate bill, which has exempted the 12 applicant towns from complying with two of the three requirements for cityhood.
Espinosa said the bill, which was approved in second reading two weeks ago, was an illegal move whereby it does not go in tangent with the provision of the law.
It's as good as approved but not after the President signs the bill, which at present did not happen yet, said Espinosa.
Councilor Perla Zulueta said, "It's obvious that it's a share in the pie that they want."
If, however, the President signs the same bill for approval, then a complaint might be elevated to the Supreme Court.
Towns applying for cityhood must have an annual income of at least P100 million, a population of not less than P150,000 and a land area of not less than 100 square kilometers.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (February 8, 2007 issue)
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