Conversion of San Jose del Monte into HUC

The President of the Philippines issues Proclamation No. 1057.
The President acts under powers vested by the Constitution and existing laws.
The conversion of a city into an HUC follows the framework in Republic Act No. 7160.
The proclamation expressly anchors its process and effectivity on Section 452 and Section 453 of Republic Act No. 7160.

The proclamation recognizes a government policy to support local government initiatives to achieve their fullest development as self-reliant communities.
The proclamation recognizes local governments as effective partners in attaining national goals.

Section 452 of Republic Act No. 7160 requires that a city must have a minimum population of two hundred thousand (200,000) inhabitants, certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Section 452 requires that the city’s latest annual income be at least PhP50 Million based on 1991 constant prices, certified by the City Treasurer.
The proclamation states that the population and income of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan have been verified and attested to by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Finance - Bureau of Local Government Finance, respectively.

Section 453 of Republic Act No. 7160 provides that the President shall declare a city as an HUC within thirty (30) days after it has met the requirements in Section 452, upon proper application.
Section 453 provides that, within 120 days thereafter, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) shall conduct a plebiscite in the city.
Section 453 requires that qualified voters ratify the declaration in the plebiscite.
The plebiscite must be preceded by a comprehensive information campaign conducted by the COMELEC with the assistance of national and local government officials, media, non-government organizations, and other interested parties.

The President proclaims the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan as a highly-urbanized city.
The proclamation is expressly conditional: it takes effect only upon ratification in the required plebiscite by the city’s qualified voters.
The proclamation recognizes a prior request from the Sangguniang Panlungsod of San Jose del Monte through Resolution No. 2019-059-09 requesting the HUC declaration.

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE signs the proclamation as President of the Philippines.
The proclamation is signed with the attestation of SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA, Executive Secretary.
The proclamation is executed in Manila on December 04, 2020.