PJ Garcia pushes Balamban cityhood anew

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia has re-filed a bill that seeks to bring Balamban town to component city status.

Garcia re-filed House Bill No. 1574 on July 8, 2019.

The first attempt to make Balamban a city failed during the 15th Congress because the town failed to meet the P100 million income requirement of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) based on 2012 and 2013 assessments.

At present, Balamban is categorized as a first-class municipality having grown into a bustling industrial center from a once quiet and sleepy town in western Cebu.

Balamban has gained prominence because of its shipbuilding industry.

As of 2010, population of the town has reached 71,237 based on the Certification of Population Count issued by the National Statistics Office.

Garcia said its population growth, which is 3.69 percent, is relatively higher compared to nearby municipalities and cities and the national growth rate in general.

“This is due to a higher rate of inward migration brought about by the phenomenal growth of the town’s shipbuilding industry,” Garcia said.

With the 3.69 percent growth rate, the town’s current population is estimated at more than 80,000.

Also in 2010, the municipality generated an income of P126.5 million locally.

Being host to international companies that make up the town’s globally-competitive shipbuilding industry, Garcia said it is projected that this figure has skyrocketed in the last two years and will continue to do so every year.

“The conversion of the Municipality of Balamban is envisioned to enhance its robust economic development and financial prosperity and the entire Province of Cebu in general. The increase of its share on Internal Revenue Allotment once it becomes a component city will result to improvements in the delivery of social services to its growing population and will enhance its commercial and industrial use for a better business climate and entice more investments to pour in. Its conversion into a component city will certainly give it a self-sustaining economy requiring only minimal assistance from the province,” Garcia explained.

He said it is necessary that the town’s status as municipality be upgraded to that of a city to enhance its capacity to meet the growing demands of its industries.

This is a necessary pre-requisite for Balamban to achieve its fullest potential and enhance its status as a new growth center in the Province of Cebu, Garcia said.

“Balamban is very qualified to become a city in terms of income and land area among others. Lastly, its elevation into a city will bring a great joy, honor and pride among Balambanons and the Cebuanos in general,” Garcia added. —  JMO (FREEMAN)