LGU Joins Protest Against IRA Reduction

            Mayor Demie John C. Honrado and the city government of La Carlota joined the call of the League of Cities of the Philippines and the Association of Chief Executive of cities of Negros Occidental and participated in the various protest moves of the mother organization against the proposed reduction of their Internal Revenue Allotment caused by the possible conversion of 16 municipalities into cities.  The creation of the new cities will bite deep to decrease the IRA of the 13 Negros Occidental cities by as much as P500 million.

            Cities nationwide set up a plan of action which included, among others, a dialog with their respective congressman and concerned senators on the inclusion of gravely affected cities as beneficiaries of the Kilos Asenso fund, interview of mayors on local and national radio and TV, and sending of appeal letters to various stakeholders to gain their support on the issue.  The LCP also placed advertisements in leading national newspapers regarding the reduction in the 2008 IRA.

            Mayor Honrado led in the Monday flag-raising programs to announce and explain why the LCP was taking up a mass action.  He reiterated that a fiscal decrease in the city’s budgetary allocation will disrupt many programs already in the blueprint.  He asked the LGU employees’ cooperation to create an impact among higher government officials whose assistance LCP is assiduously seeking.

            On January 28 the city mayors held a press conference at the Casino Filipino Hotel, Bacolod City.  It was attended by members of TV, print and broadcast media.  The assembly bannered the appeal IRA Ibalik, and the presentation of the subject was supported by estimated figures how much Negros Occidental will lose once HB 24 is approved.

            Furthermore, the city mayors bewail the conversion of the municipalities “without due consideration of what is required by law”.  To qualify for cityhood a municipality shall meet the following qualifications:  income of P100 million, a population of 150,000 and a land area of 100 square kilometers.

            The city mayors also appreciated the presence of Mayor Hector Villanueva of Bais City who is the LCP vice president for the Visayas.  He emphasized that the league’s concerned efforts will boost the organization’s move to reach out and be heard by congressmen and senators.

            The estimated reduction for each city is as follows:

            In La Carlota the flag continues to fly at half mast and a banner hangs at the entrance of the city hall with the words:  “Moratorium Sa Mga Bagong Siyudad, Para Mamamayang Siyudad, May Serbisyong Kalidad.