Tacloban Conversion to Highly-Urbanized City

A city must have (1) a minimum population of at least 200,000 inhabitants as certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and (2) a latest income of at least PHP 50,000,000.00 based on 1991 constant prices, as certified by the city treasurer.

The President has the duty to declare a city as highly-urbanized within 30 days after it has met the requirements in Section 452, upon proper application.

The city must submit a resolution of its Sanggunian adopted by a majority of all its members in a meeting called for the purpose, approved and endorsed by the city mayor, and accompanied by certifications as to income and population.

Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the resolution.

COMELEC must conduct a plebiscite in the city proposed to be converted within 120 days from the declaration of the President (or as specified in the declaration), preceded by a comprehensive information campaign.

It takes effect only upon ratification in a plebiscite by the qualified voters in the city, as provided by Section 453 of the LGC.

Section 453 of the LGC is cited as the provision requiring ratification in a plebiscite.

It means the income threshold (PHP 50,000,000) is assessed using 1991 constant prices, i.e., adjusted/expressed in terms of 1991 price levels rather than nominal current prices.

The city treasurer.

The National Statistics Office (NSO).

It is to inform voters in advance about the conversion through various stakeholders (national and local government officials, media, NGOs, and other interested parties) before the plebiscite.

The President must verify that the income and population requirements have been met; only then may the President declare the city as highly-urbanized.

It must be adopted by a majority of all its members in a duly called meeting, and it must be approved and endorsed by the city mayor.

That the proclamation would take effect only upon ratification in a plebiscite by qualified voters in Tacloban.

Because the implementing rules require it as a precondition procedure to ensure voters are comprehensively informed before voting.

It underscores the policy rationale supporting local government initiatives toward self-reliant and effective local development, providing interpretive context for allowing such conversions.

After the President issues the declaration, COMELEC conducts the plebiscite within 120 days (or as specified in the declaration).