MAGALANG, an agriculture-based first-class municipality, is aiming for cityhood, according to its incumbent Mayor Malou Lacson.
During a meeting with officers and members of the Capampangan In Media Incorporated (CAMI) at Clark Freeport on Friday, October 19, Lacson disclosed that she is seeking reelection to continue her programs including the conversion of the town into a component city.
A town needs to have a population of at least 250,000 and a minimum of P200 million local annual income for two consecutive years to qualify for cityhood.
At present, Magalang has a population of 115,000 and an annual income of P262 million.
Lacson expressed optimism that the town will meet the requirement for cityhood in the near future considering the development in terms of ecological tourism, investment, migration of people, among others.
"Two out of three requirements for city requirement, income and land area are there. But in terms of population, we still need 135 million to become a city," Lacson said.
Residents of Magalang town are dependent on agriculture and eco-tourism, according to Lacson.
She said the municipal government has implemented various programs to support agro-industries and tourism.
She added that the local government initiated the planting of more sweet tamarind trees to position the town as the country's tamarind capital.
Lacson filed her certificate of candidacy under Governor Lilia Pineda's Kambilan Party last October 11.
She was accompanied by her runningmate, re-electionist Vice-Mayor Norman Lacson.
Lacson will be challenged former mayor Romulo "Romy" Pecson in the 2019 midterem elections.