CEBU, Philippines – Is Talisay City ready to be converted into a highly urbanized city?
For former mayor and now City Councilor Socrates Fernandez, who is the chairman of the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, yes it is.
"There is an urgent need for the conversion of Talisay City into a highly urbanized city so that it can effectively and efficiently address social, economic, environmental and political concerns brought about by urbanization," according to Fernandez in his two-page proposed resolution No. 2014-38-15 filed before the City Council.
His proposed resolution, which will be deliberated in next week regular session, was co-authored by third and last-termer Councilor Edward Alesna.
Fernandez, in his resolution, is requesting President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to declare Talisay City a highly urbanized city. Currently it is a component city of Cebu province.
Talisay City, which celebrates its Charter Day every January 12, became Cebu's component city on Dec. 30, 2000 by virtue of Republic Act 8979, which former congressman Eduardo Gullas authored.
Fernandez, who was then the municipal mayor before it was converted into a component city, said as a component city, Talisay has moved on forward to progress under the leadership of past and present administrations.
"The City of Talisay, Cebu, as a component city throughout the past years, has displayed its competence and capability to address problems affecting the city under the able leadership provided by the local government and private sector. As a component city located within Metro Cebu, serious problems affecting the metro communities are spilling over to Talisay City, such as problems of criminality, demand for housing, squatting, transportation congestions and other social concerns," said Fernandez in his resolution.
If upgraded to HUC status, Talisay would be a separate political subdivision from the province of Cebu with its own congressman who could bring in funds for the city's various projects.
The city's internal revenue allotment would also increase considerably and would bring enormous benefits to the city.
Local Government Code of 1991 requires that a city should have an income of P50 million before it could be classified as highly urbanized.
According to Fernandez, the city has already met all the requirements for a highly urbanized city, such as a population of more than 200,000 and an income of more than P50 million, among others.
He said the city is also possessing wide tract of lands comprising agricultural, forestall verdant plains and endowed with springs and rivers and a beautiful coastal area facing Bohol and Siquijor provinces.
However, Fernandez admitted the ultimate decision - whether they want Talisay City to be converted into a highly urbanized city or not - will be put in the hands of the voters.
So far, the country has 32 highly urbanized cities.
In Cebu, there are three highly urbanized cities, namely Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City.
Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas and Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes are still waiting for the council's action before making their statements on the matter.
Talisay City belongs to Cebu's first district.