Together with the local government employees, Mayor Co wearing a black arm band read a common Manifesto after the flag raising to signify their protest. This protest action was decided during a meeting of the League of Cities in the Philippines in Manila, Tuesday after the League led by Mayor Gerry Trenas of Ilo-ilo also met with President Arroyo seeking a moratorium in the creation of cities in the country.

According to the Local Government Code of 1991 as amended by RA 9009, in order to be converted into a city, a municipality must have a minimum locally generated income of P100-Million, 150-thousand population, and 100 sq. km. land area. Yet, these 16 municipalities were converted into cities by the 13th Congress without meeting this requirements mandated by law which the Congress itself enacted.

This is not only UNCONSTITUTIONAL and inconsistent with the Principles of Cityhood, it is also grossly UNFAIR to those municipalities who took pains to meet the criteria set by law. The result is a reduction of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share to all Local Government Units (LGUs).

“The City of Pagadian lost P39 million due to the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities. Adding insult to injury, there is a law now passed by congresswoman Ann Hofer of the province of Zamboanga Sibugay and it was approved already in the House committee that another capital towns of 27 provinces without corresponding cities are about to be converted into cities. Again, without complying with the mandated requirements of law as long as they meet only the minimum requirement. If this will be approved, Pagadian City will lose another P70-Million in IRA Share,” Mayor Co told the employees in his speech.

It was learned that the IRA sharing computation are as follows; 25% share based in the land area, another 25% from the income and 50% share from the population.

“We would like to make it clear that the League of Cities is not against the conversion of municipalities into cities as long as they meet the minimum requirement, let us show our protest every Monday, wear arm bands and read our Manifesto until our voices are heard and we are victorious in our fight!" Mayor Co disclosed.

Aside from the protest action, the league of Cities has also filed a case before the Supreme Court regarding the illegal conversion of municipalities into cities and seeking temporary restraining order that will in effect direct the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) not to release the additional IRA to the newly into cities without strictly complying with the requirement of RA 9009. The league members will also urge their individual legislators to stop or block any move of conversion of municipalities creating new cities in the lower house.

Mayor Sammy S. Co is the Region IX representative of the League of Cities in the Philippines.

Last update : 31-01-2008 17:27

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