HUC is the next step for CSJDM.
HUC is the next step for CSJDM.
By: Athena Morales
The city of San Jose del Monte is known as "the relocation capital of the country", as most of the national government's housing projects are built in the city.
SJDM is the 18th most populated city in the Philippines and the largest local government unit in Bulacan and Central Luzon. It is now eyeing to become the 33rd most highly urbanized city in the country.
Defining HUC:
Highly-Urbanized Cities are cities with a population of 200,000 and an annual income of fifty million pesos certified by the city treasurer. Each municipality or city aiming for the conversion must set the legal standard required by the Government to declare HUC.
What are the requirements for the conversion to HUC?
Legal Requirements:
For the conversion of the city, there should be a population of 200,000 and an annual income of $50 million per year. There should also be a 2,000-square-kilometer land area in total. SJDM encompasses a 651,813 as of 2020 consensus and an annual income of Php 2,075,524,105 for two consecutive years. The land area of the city has reached 105,553 sq. km. and is used for commercial spaces, housing, local government facilities, and social services.
Presidential proclamation:
On December 4, 2020, former President Rodirgo "Roa" Duterte declared SJDM a highly urbanized city through Proclamation No. 1057. Under Section 453 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, the President shall declare a city an HUC within 30 days after it has achieved a minimum population of 200,000 as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and an income of at least Php 50 million as certified by the City Treasurer.
Plebiscite:
According to Commision on Elections (COMELEC) regional director Elmo Duque, as San Jose del Monte became the first component city of Bulacan in 2000, it will need to have a majority vote of 2,099,914 registered voters to become an HUC. October 30 is the mandated date for the plebiscite.
This mandate is to provide a proper deliberation, as COMELEC requires the voting to ensure that its constituents know the proposed conversion of the city since they are the ones who are mainly affected by this. The COMELEC said that they only allow the voting of "yes" or "no" to see if the constituents of the city are approved for this project.
Benefits of the conversion into HUC
Health department:
The vision of the Local Government Unit (LGU) is to give the best to its citizens. With this conversion, the construction of more hospital infrastructure is one of the main priorities of the LGU to enhance its services to the people.
Tourism department:
SJDM is slowly making its way to the limelight; many of the tourist spots in the city are now featured on many platforms. The LGU wants to protect the captivating scenery, strengthen the tourism of the city, and fully use its ability for promotion.
Education department:
It was in 2017 when Mayor Arthur Robles planned the first city college in SJDM, which is known to be the "City College of San Jose del Monte", and one of the prides of the city. It will not end there, as more learning centers will be opened to provide a more accessible education to its people. City libraries are open to Bulakeños, and the LGU upholds the essence of basic education and accessibility to anyone.
Governance:
HUC is not just putting the city in the limelight; it could expose SJDM to more businesses. The more investors, the higher the opportunity rate for San Joseños, as it could generate jobs. The LGU, thus, is aiming to use the skills of its people in the city. Providing more opportunities could create the impression that they do not need to seek opportunities outside of SJDM.
The large population can cause delays and traffic in processing papers. The main goal of the LGU is to provide a smoother transaction in processing the paper payment system and queuing system in the city.
Security:
From San Jose del Monte Police Station to the SJDM Police Office, there will be more police precincts and personnel. This is for the security of both the city and San Joseños.
Not all agree on this project, however, as some of the citizens of the city see this change as another problem and that only the officials will benefit from this. In one of the polls circulating in social media, a huge number of people voted "No" on this conversion.
CSJDM District 2 Councilor Romeo Agapito said that the city is not yet ready for HUC due to the lack of industries and jobs that will enable the people to pay taxes. Most of the San Joseños are working in the adjacent cities of Caloocan, Quezon City and Novaliches. Agapito added that the people of San Jose del Monte are mostly poor and have low income which means they cannot afford to pay the taxes imposed by a highly-urbanized city.
Possible negative effect of HUC
Higher taxes:
Since there are not enough jobs and industries open for the San Joseños, this will cause another problem for having higher taxes imposed by the conversion of the city.
The provincial hospital will not accommodate people from CSJDM:
Since the conversion means stand alone, the city will not be under Malolos, Bulacan, thus being restricted to use the provincial hospital is now another headache for the San Joseños since most of them are willing to travel a 2-hour ride just to have the quality of its service.
Financial support from the Governor:
From the scholarship, "pang hanap buhay na ayuda", medical and burial support will now be limited only to the city and municipalities under the umbrella of the Malolos.
The campaign for "Yes to HUC '' opens a discussion to San Joseños. Some support the project and some oppose it. The voting will be held on October 30, coinciding with the SK and barangay elections.
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