|
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Malig: Mabalacat City?
By Jun A. Malig
WOULD Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales succeed in transforming his municipality into a component city? "In his dreams!" was the reply of some townsfolk opposed to re-election (again) of Boking, who has been serving the Mabalaqueqos as their chief executive since 1995.
Some residents of the first class municipality, especially those inclined to support opposition politicians during elections season, have become apprehensive that once Mabalacat becomes a city Boking would again be qualified to run for city mayor. What probably "frightened" them was the letter to the editor sent by Mabalacat-based businessman and long-time mayoralty candidate Anthony Dee, which was published by this paper (page 5) last April 20.
"With regard to Boking's comment about Mabalacat `becoming the next component city of Pampanga,' the people of Mabalacat should realize that one consequence of Mabalacat attaining cityhood is that Boking will (again) be entitled to run another three terms, not to mention a sizeable increase in its annual budget," Dee said in his letter.
* * * * *
Under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for all local government units is distributed as follows: 23 percent to provinces, 23 percent to cities, 34 percent to municipalities, and 20 percent to barangays. The apportionment for each LGU is also based on a uniform formula: population 50 percent, land area 25 percent, and equal distribution 25 percent. This means that a province, city, municipality or barangay that has bigger population and bigger land area receives bigger IRA share.
By the way, IRA is the about 40 percent of the national internal revenue collection within a fiscal year being given by the national government to LGUs as their shares in the proceeds of national taxes to ensure their full local autonomy as guaranteed by RA 7160.
I was asked how come municipalities still want to become cities if they are receiving 34 percent of IRA while cities receive only 23 percent. The answer is quite simple. All provinces share 23 percent of the entire IRA, all cities share another 23 percent, all municipalities share 34 percent, and all barangays share 20 percent of the fund. (Population and land area affect the share of each LGU). Now, if there are only 117 cities splitting the 23 percent of IRA and there are 1,500 municipalities dividing the 34 percent of it, which would get higher share, a city or a municipality? The answer is obvious. A piece of cake shared with only 116 other people would be a lot bigger than a piece being shared with 1, 499 other persons. This is the main reason why municipalities want to become cities. They want a bigger piece of cake.
* * * * *
The renowned Kapampangan physician, Dr. Jose L. Evangelista, was conferred the distinguished University Medal of Honor during the commencement exercises of the Angeles University Foundation's College of Medicine.
AUF recognized Dr. Evangelista's exemplary performance and outstanding achievements in the field of medicine. Along with his wife, Dr. Stella Salgado-Evangelista, he was the first Filipino Hall of Famer of Michigan International Heritage. The couple also received the Physicians of the Year Award from the Philippine Physicians in America in 1994.
Dr. Jose L. Evangelista was appointed by US President Bill Clinton as a member of the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation several years back. The doctor completed his fellowship in pulmonary medicine and another fellowship in cardiology in Michigan.
AUF Chancellor and former president of Clark Development Corp. Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles and AUF president Ricardo Pama led the conferment ceremonies before the 40 graduating students of the AUF College of Medicine yesterday.
(April 28, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
