Law Summary
Presidential Declaration and Plebiscite Procedure
- The President is required to declare the city as highly-urbanized within 30 days after meeting requirements and upon proper application.
- Following the presidential declaration, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) must conduct a plebiscite within 120 days.
- Qualified voters of the city must ratify the declaration in the plebiscite.
- These procedures are mandated by Section 453 of RA No. 7160 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Information Campaign Prior to Plebiscite
- COMELEC must conduct a comprehensive information campaign before the plebiscite.
- The campaign includes assistance from national and local government officials, media, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.
Local Government Request and Compliance
- The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Pagadian formally requested the President to declare Pagadian as a highly-urbanized city via Resolution No. 2020-0586.
- Pagadian met the criteria with a population of 210,452 (PSA-certified).
- It has an income of PhP270.774 million based on 1991 constant prices (certified by Department of Finance - Bureau of Local Government Finance).
Government Policy Support
- The government supports local government units' initiatives to become self-reliant and effective partners in achieving national goals.
Proclamation Details and Effectivity
- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued the proclamation to classify Pagadian as a highly-urbanized city.
- The proclamation shall take effect only after ratification by the qualified voters in the city through a plebiscite, as mandated by law.
- The proclamation was signed in Manila on November 8, 2021, with the Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea countersigning.
Legal Authority and Formal Execution
- The President exercised constitutional and statutory powers vested under existing laws.
- The seal of the Republic of the Philippines was affixed to formalize the proclamation.