Isabela capital's cityhood bid gains House approval

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Barely 15 years after its first unsuccessful try, the cityhood drive of Isabela’s capital town of Ilagan has gained momentum at the House of Representatives where the cityhood bill is now on second reading.

Antonio Montereal, municipal information officer, said they are hopeful that the cityhood bill will be approved on third reading so it could be elevated to the Senate for deliberation.

The bill was filed last year by Rep. Rodolfo Albano Jr. of Isabela’s first congressional district.

Earlier, local officials led by Mayor Jose Marie Diaz expressed hope that Ilagan’s cityhood dream would soon be realized as the town has already met all the requisites for cityhood in terms of area, population and income.

Ilagan officials first made an attempt for cityhood in 1997 but residents, fearing a sudden rise in business and real property taxes, among others, rejected it. Albano was also the proponent of the first cityhood bill.

This time though, Diaz said they are more confident as the townsfolk are now more informed and prepared to take on cityhood.

Vice Gov. Rodito Albano said the provincial government fully supports Ilagan’s renewed cityhood bid, saying it is long overdue.

If converted into a city, Ilagan would be the fourth city in Cagayan Valley, along with the cities of Santiago and Cauayan, also both in Isabela, and Tuguegarao City, the capital of Cagayan.

One of the country’s biggest towns in terms of area and probably the region’s most booming town, Ilagan is one of northern Luzon’s leading corn-producing towns.

Ilagan, about 350 kilometers north of Manila, is also the home of what is touted to be world’s biggest armchair, locally known as butaka.