BUKIDNON first district Representative Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba filed House Bill 8115 on August 16 that seeks to convert the municipality of Manolo Fortich into a component city.
Acosta-Alba has noted that for past several years, Manolo Fortich has consistently been one of the most competitive municipalities in the country, highlighted by a top 20 ranking in 2017 in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.
According to Acosta-Alba's explanatory note, Manolo Fortich has ranked fifth in its local economy structure. It ranked first in presence of investment promotion unit and 18th in social protection.
It also ranked first in availability of basic utilities, land use plan, disaster risk reduction plan, annual disaster drill, early warning system and local risk assessments.
"Such a feat shows that it is time for Manolo Fortich to join the ranks of component cities that make up Bukidnon. There is still much to be improved in the competitiveness list however. There also needs to look forward to the promise of many potential for Manolo Fortich in terms of economic, tourism, and investment opportunities," she said.
She said the conversion of Manolo Fortich "will definitely enhance its economic, tourism, investment opportunities. The same will also contribute to the development of the province's health services, education, transport system, markets, infrastructure, roadways and streets, and the general living condition of residents and entrepreneurs inhabiting therein."
"Furthermore, it will yield in the active generation of revenues for national development," she added.
The principal co-authors of House Bill 8115 are Bukidnon second district Representative Florencio Flores Jr., Bukidnon third district Representative Manuel Zubiri, Misamis Oriental second district Representative Juliette Uy, Cagayan de Oro City second district Representative Maximo Rodriguez Jr., Camiguin Representative Xavier Jesus Romualdo, Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao, and Cagayan de Oro City first district Representative Rolando Uy.