by Thiago Santos September 4, 2022 Calaca Municipal Hall (Photo from Calaca LGU) BATANGAS CITY— On September 3, 2022, a plebiscite approved ...
September 4, 2022
 |
| Calaca Municipal Hall (Photo from Calaca LGU) |
BATANGAS CITY— On September 3, 2022, a plebiscite approved the law designating Calaca, Batangas, as a component city.
The move is based on Comelec Resolution No. 10799 after former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Republic Act 11544 titled "An Act Converting the Municipality of Calaca in the Province of Batangas into a component city to be known as the City of Calaca" on May 26, 2021.
According to Mayor Nas Ona, this is the most crucial event in their town, which was once known as a barangay covered by Balayan.
“Hindi biro ang pinagdaan ng bayang ito upang mas maraming mga negosyante ang naengganyong pumasok at mamuhunan dito, bukod pa sa sinisiguro namin ang kaligtasan ng aming mga mamamayan sa pagdating ng mga industriyang ito. Dahil dito, ipinasa sa Sangguniang Bayan ang batas para sa cityhood na sinundan ng pagpasa sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan, naitaas at pumasa sa Kongreso at Senado at bago nagtapos ang termino ng Dating Pangulong Duterte ay napirmahan niya ito,” said Ona.
Within 90 days of the law's passage, a town must organize a plebiscite. The COVID-19 pandemic forced an extension of the deadline, and the local government decided to host the event after the national and local elections.
The municipality promotes the advantages or benefits that can be delivered to their area, particularly to the residents, once it becomes a full-fledged city. More money is available for the municipality of Calaca because the province does not require the division of taxes into other categories like real property tax, amilyar, professional taxes, and others. When this occurs, there is no need to increase taxes for the following years, especially since the National Tax Allocation will bring in a sizable amount of money, benefiting the barangays.
Aside from the existing offices that provide services to Calaquenos, the city government will have additional offices such as the City Prosecutors Office, City Veterinary Office, City Jail, and others. The ability of the local government to meet the needs of their constituents, such as health services, education, social welfare, agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihood, will be more vital.
The plan is to create a large Special Education Fund (SEF) where the educational program for young people would receive better assistance, including scholarships, increased educational resources, teacher training, and the acquisition of new buildings and classrooms. There is also a chance that a college will be built here.
Commerce will be further strengthened with the entry of investors and will open many job opportunities for Calaquenos and the new towns in the province.
According to Ona, in terms of peace and order, there will be an increase in the number of PNP personnel serving their town when it becomes a full-fledged city, as they will be able to manage peace and tranquility here more easily. As the town's funds grow, the town will add new equipment and expenses.
It emphasized that there is no truth in the spreading news that they do not accept banks to build here, but it was 2007 when they started to persuade big bank establishments to invest here. The proof is the imminent opening of BDO Network Bank next week.
The local government is also planning to buy land serving as the town's New Business Central District, where banks and restaurants may open in Calaca.
In the end, Ona emphasized that the cityhood of Calaca is suitable for everyone, and it does not want to make the lives of the Calaquenos difficult. Still, it encourages everyone to unite, work together and think about the future that will achieve if it becomes a city.
The town of Calaca was the first town to become a city in the Western Batangas area.
No comments