Conversion of Puerto Princesa to Highly-Urbanized City

The conversion rests on Section 452 of the Local Government Code of 1991, which classifies cities as highly-urbanized when population and income thresholds are met.
The President’s authority to declare a city highly-urbanized is governed by Section 453 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
The process and timing reflect the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Local Government Code of 1991 on city conversion into a highly-urbanized city.
The proclamation cites that the required conversion steps include resolution submission, Presidential declaration within the statutory timeframe, and a COMELEC-conducted plebiscite.

The proclamation declares it is a government policy to support local governments’ initiatives to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities.
The policy aims to make local governments more effective partners in the attainment of national goals.

Section 452 requires a city to have a minimum population of 200,000 inhabitants, certified by the National Statistics Office.
Section 452 requires a latest income of at least PHP 50,000,000.00 based on 1991 constant prices, certified by the City Treasurer.
The proclamation states that the City of Puerto Princesa has met the minimum requirements under Section 452 for classification as highly-urbanized.
The Presidential declaration is tied to verification that the income and population requirements have been met, consistent with Section 453.

The conversion procedure requires the interested city to submit to the Office of the President of the Philippines a resolution of its Sanggunian.
The resolution must be adopted by a majority of all its members in a meeting duly called for the purpose, and it must be approved and endorsed by the city mayor.
The resolution must be accompanied by a certification as to income and population.
After receipt, the President shall, within 30 days, after verifying that income and population requirements have been met, declare the city highly-urbanized under Section 453.
The plebiscite must be conducted by the COMELEC within 120 days from the President’s declaration (or within the timeframe specified in the declaration).
The COMELEC must precede the plebiscite with a comprehensive information campaign, with assistance from national and local government officials, media, NGOs, and other interested parties.

The proclamation proclaims the City of Puerto Princesa as a highly-urbanized city.
The proclamation makes the conversion conditional upon ratification in a plebiscite by qualified voters in Puerto Princesa.
The proclamation specifies the conditional effectivity as required by Section 453 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
The proclamation is anchored on a request by the Sangguniang Panglungsod of the City of Puerto Princesa through Resolution No. 614-2007 dated January 15, 2007, requesting a Presidential declaration of high urbanization status.

The proclamation is signed by GLORIA M. ARROYO as President of the Republic of the Philippines.
The proclamation is countersigned by EDUARDO R. ERMITA, Executive Secretary.
The proclamation is issued with the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.