Legal Scribbles

Baguio City.  Because of its special functions as the summer capital  of the Philippines, Baguio was declared in 1979 as a highly urbanized city regardless  of its income. Photo credits: dawnlyndelle.wordpress.com Complicated.  That was the word I uttered to myself when I read the classifications of cities for the first time. It was so confusing that one will not grasp the provisions unless the background is known. This article shall unravel the mysteries behind the puzzling legal framework and hopes to clear up ambiguities concerning the three types of cities. The provisions pertaining to these types of cities on the Local Government Code read: Section 451. Cities, Classified. - A city may either be component or highly urbanized : Provided, however, That the criteria established in this Code shall not affect the classification and corporate status of existing cities. Independent component cities are those component cities whose charter...

Legazpi City by Tods Armena Legazpi, a scenic city over the edge of Luzon Island facing Pacific Ocean towards its east with the pulchritudinous Mayon Volcano on its background, is a component city of the province of Albay. I have been living in this city for most of my life so I am well-acquainted with its problems, issues, and most of all, potentials. The complexity of its current problems and issues, and its potentials for further growth and development require increase in sources of funds. As mentioned in the previous article, entitled “The Different City Varieties,” independent cities have greater sources of funds and discretion in its ordinances. These greater sources of funds will match Legazpi’s growing needs. The city has most probably breached the 200,000 population mark needed for its HUC conversion. In 2015, it was only short of a little more than 3,000. It has an annual total income running hundreds of millions for years already, way ...