Laguna town execs upbeat over city status

SAN PEDRO, Laguna—Officials of this town expressed optimism that the town would finally achieve city status following its approval by a House committee.

The House committee on local government, chaired by Negros Oriental second district Rep. George Arnaiz, unanimously voted for approval of House Bill No. 5169, which converts the municipality of San Pedro into a component city “to be known as the City of San Pedro,” during its meeting on Dec. 14.

Laguna first district Rep. Danilo Fernandez on Monday said the bill would be tackled next in plenary for third reading before its endorsement to the Senate.

“By next year, San Pedro could become a city,” said Fernandez, who co-authored the bill with 1-Utak party-list Rep. Homer Mercado.

Town Mayor Calixto Cataquiz said he welcomed the development, saying city status means more money for the town. Cataquiz had been ordered perpetually disqualified from public office by the Supreme Court in a recent ruling that upheld a guilty verdict by the Office of the President for irregularities committed during his term as chair of the Laguna Lake Development Authority.

As a municipality, San Pedro receives a 40-percent share in real property taxes while 25 percent goes to villages. At least 35 percent goes to the provincial government.

If San Pedro becomes a city, the sharing would be 30 percent for villages and 70 percent for the city.