Mayor campaigns for Mabalacat cityhood

MABALACAT, Pampanga, Philippines  – Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales has called on his constituents to ratify the town’s cityhood, saying it would mean a P100-million increase in their internal revenue allotment (IRA).

“We will have P300 million (IRA) on top of the P500 million budget plan for 2013, “ Morales said.

Morales also assured his constituents of a five-year tax moratorium once Mabalacat becomes a city.  There will be no increase in local taxes nor new taxes can be imposed automatically unless any such legislation is passed by the city council, he added.

Pampanga first district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin, author of the Mabalacat cityhood bill, likewise urged local leaders to campaign for their cityhood.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to decide on the date of the plebiscite. President Aquino signed last week Republic Act 10164 declaring this town as Pampanga’s third city, after Angeles and San Fernando.

Morales said the local government has allocated P14 million to be used by the Comelec for the plebiscite.