Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 1264)
A city must have a minimum population of two hundred thousand (200,000) inhabitants as certified by the National Statistics Office.
The city must have a latest income of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) based on 1991 constant prices, certified by the City Treasurer.
The President of the Philippines has the duty to declare a city as highly-urbanized within thirty (30) days after it meets the requirements upon proper application.
The interested city must submit a resolution of its Sanggunian adopted by a majority of its members, approved and endorsed by the city mayor, accompanied by certification of income and population to the Office of the President.
The President verifies the income and population requirements and declares the city as highly-urbanized within thirty (30) days from receipt of such resolution.
Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the President's declaration, the COMELEC conducts a plebiscite in the city to ratify the conversion.
A comprehensive information campaign conducted by COMELEC with assistance from national and local government officials, media, NGOs, and other interested parties.
The proclamation takes effect only upon ratification in a plebiscite by the qualified voters of the city as provided in Section 453 of the LGC.
The City of Puerto Princesa was declared as a highly-urbanized city under Proclamation No. 1264.
The government supports local governments' initiatives to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and to make them more effective partners in attaining national goals.