Noy OKs highly urbanized city status for Cabanatuan

By Liam Anacleto

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija  – President Aquino has approved the conversion of this central Luzon boom area from a component city to a highly urbanized city.

But this could take effect only if the local folk approve it in a plebiscite within 120 days.

The President issued Proclamation 418 on the conversion after Cabanatuan City met all the requirements under the Local Government Code, said the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here.     

The PIA said Cabanatuan even exceeded the minimum requirements such as a minimum population of 200,000 as certified by the National Statistics Office, latest income of at least P50 million based on 1991 constant prices as certified by the city treasurer, and an approved resolution of majority of city councilors supporting the cityhood conversion with the mayor’s endorsement, the PIA said.

Cabanatuan, according to the PIA, is considered the “commercial, industrial and educational hub” of Nueva Ecija.

Cabanatuan was founded as a barrio of Gapan in 1750 and became a municipality in 1780. In 1950, it was elevated into a city by virtue of Republic Act 526, the PIA said.

Meanwhile, in Mabalacat, Pampanga, Mayor Marino Morales urged his constituents to go out and vote on July 21 in favor of the town’s cityhood.

The President approved Mabalacat’s cityhood after data showed it qualified under the requirements of the Local Government Code.