16 new cities have to wait for their share in 2012

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The internal revenue allotment of existing cities will decrease with the addition of 16 newly converted cities, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

"It's disadvantageous for the existing cities because their IRA will decrease. It's a simple analysis, it's like having the same pie; before only 120 cities divide it, now it's 136," he said.

Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. added that with the conversion of 16 new cities, the 13 cities in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, would stand to lose P700 million in IRA share.

Robredo, who was in Bacolod yesterday to address the 3rd annual national convention of the Electronic Financials Users' Circle in a hotel in the city, however said the new cities will not be able to receive their new IRAs this year.

"Probably, two things: one is, there should be an entry of judgment first bago 'yong final; pangalawa, I really doubt if that can be implemented this year kasi marami pang similar cases eh. Pag pinatakbo na ang IRA tapos na yan eh, you wait next year," said Robredo.

Last month, city mayors of Negros Occidental joined the League of Cities of the Philippines in a rally at the SC in Manila to protest the Supreme Court decision last February 15.

On Tuesday, the SC has affirmed its February ruling upholding the constitutionality of laws passed by the 11th Congress on the conversion into cities of 16 towns.

The SC justices kept their 7-6 vote dismissing the appeal of the LCP that various cityhood laws be declared unconstitutional. (FREEMAN)