'TOL VIEWS
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government in the 18th Congress, I am proud to share that the Municipality of Baliwag in the Province of Bulacan has been successfully converted into a component city. Baliwag is now Bulacan’s fourth city.
During the 18th Congress on May 23, 2022, the Senate unanimously approved two bills – House Bill No. 10444 and its own version in the Senate: Senate Bill No. 2462. I had the privilege to sponsor and defend this measure in the upper house of Congress. Specifically, these bills sought to convert the municipality of Baliwag in the province of Bulacan into a component city to be known as the City of Baliwag.
Later in July 30, 2022, Republic Act No. 11929, otherwise known as the “Charter of the City of Baliwag,” lapsed into law. Under the Charter, the City of Baliwag shall acquire corporate existence upon the ratification of its creation by a majority of the votes cast by qualified voters in a plebiscite to be conducted in the present Municipality of Baliwag.
This plebiscite was held just recently, Dec. 17, 2022. By the voice of the people as enshrined under our democratic government, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported that over 75 percent or 17,814 of 23,562 registered voters acceded to the conversion of the Municipality of Baliwag into a component city of Bulacan. Meanwhile, a total of 5,702 or 24.19 percent of the voters said “no.”
This successful conversion would promote economic and social progress, sustainable development, and technological advancement to the City of Baliwag.
It was in May 1733 when the Augustinians founded the town of Baliwag. From being one of the oldest towns in the country, Baliwag has seen enormous progress through the years as exhibited by its average annual income, among others, that qualifies it to cityhood.
Its conversion into a component city will help realize the local government’s full potential. The corresponding increased share in its national tax allotment will enable its local government to more efficiently assist in delivering basic services to its constituents.
As the sponsor of this measure converting the municipality into a city, I have high hopes for the progress that the creation of the City of Baliwag would bring.