KALIBO, Aklan – A bill was filed in 19th Congress by Aklan 1st District’s Cong. Carlito Marquez seeking to convert the capital town of Kalibo, Aklan, along with 27 other municipalities in 14 regions, into component cities.
House Bill 427 noted the capital towns serve as centers for trade, commerce, tourism and the seat of government but, remain to be mere municipalities.
Marquez said automatically converting the capital towns into component cities will give better opportunities for the localities, autonomy, fiscal viability and increased share in the internal revenue allotment that will stimulate growth and development.
“While municipalities aspire economic viability, they struggle to meet the minimum requirements for cityhood. This includes municipalities in provinces that bear the burden in providing the needs of their constituents, even those who come from adjacent municipalities,” the solon added.
The measure also seeks to amend Section 450 of the Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act 9160, that sets the minimum requirements in converting a municipality or a cluster of barangays into a component city.
Aside from Aklan, the provinces without cities in its territorial jurisdictions are Jordan, Guimaras and San Jose, Antique (Western Visayas); Alabel, Sarangani (Soccsksargen); Siquijor, Siquijor (Central Visayas); San Jose, Dinagat Islands (Caraga); Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay (Zamboanga Peninsula); Baler, Aurora (Central Luzon); Daet, Camarines Norte and Virac, Catanduanes (Bicol Region); Nabunturan, Compostela Valley and Malita, Davao Occidental (Davao Region); Naval, Biliran and Catarman, Northern Samar (Eastern Visayas).
Other capital towns are Mambajao, Camiguin (Northern Mindanao); Boac, Marinduque; Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro and Romblon, Romblon (Mimaropa); Buluan, Maguindanao; Jolo, Sulu and Bongao, Tawi Tawi (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao); Basco, Batanes; Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and Cabarroguis, Quirino (Cagayan Valley); Lagawe, Ifugao; Kabugao, Apayao; Bontoc, Mountain Province and Bangued, Abra (Cordillera Administrative Region)./PN
