Calaca, known as the Power Town of South Luzon, is set to become the first city in the western part of Batangas.
A plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the municipality into a component city known as the City of Calaca, will be held on Sept. 3, 2022.
Local officials affirm that Calaca is more than ready to become a full fledged city.
They are now holding activities to ensure the benefits of becoming a city would reach every Calaqueño.
Information activities include motorcade, town hall meetings, house-to-house campaign and the use of social media.
Among benefits being promoted is the increased budget for the municipality.
With the cityhood, the local government can enjoy fiscal management in generating and allocating financial resources and greater share in the National Tax Allotment (formerly referred to as Internal Revenue Allotment).
More funds mean expansion of local government functions. Mandatory offices required for a city government include the City Prosecutor’s Office, City Veterinary Office and City Jail. This also means more appropriation for programs, projects, and activities of the LGU for social and health services, infrastructure projects, peace and order, livelihood, education, environment, and agriculture.
Cityhood also allows for an increase in the budget for Special Education Fund (SEF), which supports programs as the scholarship program, provision of school supplies, capability building for teachers as well as infrastructure projects for educational purposes.
Local officials also state that most investors prefer to put up their businesses in a city that could boost the local economy, create livelihood, and generate more jobs. They also reiterate that no tax increase will be needed because the city shall get its full share in Real Property Tax, Professional Taxes, among others.
The journey to cityhood started during the administration of former Mayor Sofronio Manuel ‘Boogle’ C. Ona. This advocacy continues during the administration of Mayor Sofronio ‘Nas’ C. Ona, Jr. With the support and guidance from former Congresswoman Eileen Ermita-Buhain, it has gone through the required legislative process at the House of Representatives and Senate before reaching the Office of the President.
On May 26, 2021, former President R. Rodrigo signed the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11544 entitled “An Act Converting The Municipality Of Calaca In The Province Of Batangas Into A Component City To Be Known As The City Of Calaca.”
