Officials see Mariveles cityhood

Municipal officials of Mariveles are confident this coastal town at the southernmost part of Bataan will become a city next year when it receives its P140 million share from the Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Corp. (Baseco). The municipal government of Mariveles entered into a tripartite compromise agreement with Baseco and the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to get its fair share from the proceeds of real property tax worth P200 million which were placed in escrow account 20 years ago. The Sangguniang Bayan of Mariveles earlier passed a resolution asking the provincial government of Bataan to support the town’s bid for cityhood through the efforts of Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia and Rep. Alberto Garcia (2D, Bataan). However, Mariveles Mayor Boboy Peliglorio was reportedly displeased by recent development saying there are still kinks to be ironed out following the imposition of stringent prerequisites for a municipality to become a city. The recent requirement is for a municipality to have an annual income of P100 million excluding the Internal Revenue Allotment. Mariveles has an IRA worth P60 million. The executive vice president of Bataan Mayors’ League admitted the required P100 million would make it hard for Mariveles to become candidate for cityhood unless the municipal government receives its P140 million share from Baseco deal. The added requirement is imposed on municipalities probably to discourage them from aspiring to become a city soon. “We remain optimistic about the cityhood bid … it will definitely push through next year," Peliglorio said Peliglorio.-GMANews.TV