Bacoor, Imus now cities

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has signed into law the bills converting Bacoor and Imus, both in Cavite, into cities after they had complied with the prerequisites.

Republic Act Nos. 10160 and 10161 declared Bacoor and Imus, respectively, as new cities in Cavite.

Bacoor and Imus are the fifth and sixth cities in the province after Cavite City, the province’s former capital; Trece Martires City, the site of the capitol; prime tourist destination Tagaytay City and Dasmariñas City, the province’s most populated area.

Bacoor is the so-called Cavite’s Gateway to and from southern Metro Manila, while Imus is the current capital of the province. The two first class municipalities became lone districts only in December 2010 with Congress and Malacañang’s approval.

The conversion of Imus and Bacoor into cities would enhance the capability of their respective local government units (LGUs) to deliver needed services to a growing population and become more effective partners of the national government in promoting economic growth.

Based on records, Imus has earned an income classification of first class since 1986 and showed a steady rise in its income through the years.

The average annual income of Imus for calendar years 2008 and 2009 is P144,981,443,72, which is more than the P100-million yearly income required for towns to become cities under RA 2009, amending section 450 of the Local Government Code or Republic Act 7160.

Reports showed that Imus is now home to 5,712 commercial establishments, 48 manufacturing establishments and 249 financial institutions and based on the 2007 census, it has 253,158 inhabitants. The Imus LGU has met the population requirement of at least 150,000 inhabitants as specified by RA 7160.

Bacoor has also satisfied all the requirements needed for its conversion into a city.

Reports likewise said that in 1997 and 2000, Bacoor registered the highest average family income in the entire Cavite province and was considered a first class municipality, earning more than P100 million annually to become a component city.

Under RA 9009, a municipality or a cluster of barangays may be converted into a component city if it has a locally generated average annual income, as certified by the Department of Finance, of at least P100 million for the last two consecutive years based on 2000 constant prices, and any of the two requisites: contiguous territory of at least 100 square kilometers, as certified by the Land Management Bureau; and population of not less than 150,000 inhabitants, as certified by the National Statistics Office.

In the 2007 Census of Population, reports said Bacoor already registered a population of 441,197, making it the most populous municipality in the country.