Aurora upgraded to second-class province

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — The coastal province of Aurora has officially been upgraded to a second-class province, as certified by the Department of Finance (DOF).

In a department order issued on Nov. 5, the DOF confirmed Aurora’s elevation from a third-class status in local government unit income classification, following an increase in its annual income to the range of P900 million to P1.5 billion.

This qualifies Aurora under the criteria set by Republic Act 11964, also known as the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act, signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Oct. 26, 2023.

Aurora’s capital town, Baler, and the municipalities of Casiguran, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, and San Luis have also been upgraded to first-class municipalities. Previously, Baler and Dipaculao were classified as third-class municipalities, while Casiguran, Maria Aurora, and San Luis were second-class localities.

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Additionally, Dilasag and Dingalan have moved from third-class to second-class status, while Dinalungan, previously a fourth-class town, is now classified as a third-class municipality.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the provincial government expressed optimism about the benefits of the upgraded classification. It highlighted expectations of increased economic opportunities, enhanced shares from national tax allocations, and greater financial support from the national government. INQ

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