After topping the required annual budget for an ordinary component city to become an independent component city, Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas has set in motion moves for the declaration of the city as an independent component city. Among the requirements for a city to be declared as an independent component city include having a minimum population of 250,000 as certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO), and with the latest annual income of at least P50 million based on 1991 constant prices as certified by the city treasurer—or P300 million on current levels. Independent component cities are independent of the provincial government. Presently, the city government has a total proposed budget of P304 million for 2006. The said proposed budget however has not yet been approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. According to Fariñas, the city’s proposed budget fulfills one half of the requirement for the city to become an independent component city. He admitted however that the city only has half of the required population of 250,000. In view of this, the mayor has instructed the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Population Commission, the City Health Office, and the City Planning and Development Office to form a team that would conduct a thorough census of the city’s total population. Fariñas further suggested that the census be conducted at late afternoon or early evening so students who are not from the city but are living in the city for the duration of their studies would be included, as well as other city residents who are working outside the city. Fariñas clarified though that his ambition to turn Laoag into an independent component city does not mean he has anything against the provincial government as he emphasized that Ilocos Norte Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is a good leader. He explained that his purpose in making the city independent of the provincial government is for the city’s residents to have additional benefits. Among the benefits expected to be received by the city if it becomes an independent component city is the creation of a congressional district wherein, the city’s representative to the House of Representatives would have his own countrywide development fund for the sole use of the city and its residents. “I reiterate that I do not mean to separate the city from the province but only wish for additional income for the city of Laoag,” Fariñas emphasized Dominic B. dela Cruz
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