Benguet eyeing 1st class status

BENGUET legislators on Monday, July 29, moved for the passage of a proposed resolution for the reclassification as a first class from second class province.

The resolution, on motion of all lawmakers, are calling the help of Benguet Congressman Nestor Fongwan to work on the reclassification.

It was 23 years ago, on July 1, 1996 when Benguet was classified as a second class province based on the General Income Classification of the local government units (LGUs) issued by former and late president Corazon Aquino.

A move was also made earlier by the province asking then Department of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to grant the reclassification of the province from second to first class, however it did not materialize.

“For the past nine years, Benguet province has surpassed the required annual income based on the Annual Executive Budgets of the Benguet province as certified by the Commission on Audit.”

The Average Annual Income of the province is over P700 million and the estimated General Income for 2018 is above the P700 million average income obtained in the last nine years.

“The province of Benguet remained as a second class province in spite of the significant increases in its general annual income which should have qualified it for reclassification,” the resolution added.

The body seeks the reclassification of the province in order to avail of the benefits that it may accrue for its development.

Members of the provincial board added the reclassification is long overdue and will contribute to the benefit of the province.

Department of Finance department order no. 23-08 prescribes new income brackets for the reclassification of LGUs.

Under the order, first class province must have P450 million income and above, P360 million or more for second class province and P270 million for third class provinces. (Lauren Alimondo)

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