Voting 19 in favor with zero objections and zero abstentions, the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading House Bill No. (HBN) 3968, which seeks to convert the municipality of Carmona into a component city.
The success of the campaign to make Carmona a city, which began eight years ago, was hailed by several senators, including two of Cavite province’s most famous sons: Sen. Francis Tolentino and Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.
Revilla, a former Cavite governor, thanked colleagues for the bill’s passage and said he considered this a huge honor for him and his fellow citizens of Cavite province. “As we continue to contribute to the country with our vibrant economy, we will continue to spread our roots for the enrichment not only of our humble province but the entire nation,” Revilla said.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also thanked colleagues, noting that Carmona has all the characteristics of cities but does not enjoy their privileges despite being one of the most prosperous municipalities in the country.
“This bill embodies the hard work, dreams and aspirations of the people of Carmona. The passage of the bill will pave more opportunities for its people and more investment for its local government,” Ejercito said.
Sen. Win Gatchalian also voted in the affirmative on the bill seeking the conversion of the municipality of Carmona into a component city of Cavite despite his dissent to the passage of Republic Act 11683, which serves as the basis for its cityhood. During Monday’s plenary session, Gatchalian said that during the interpellation on the bill, he learned that Carmona has complied with the new income and population requirements set forth by the new law.
He also learned the proper application of the portability clause set forth by the same law which was intended to cushion the impact on the allotment for existing cities in the national tax allocation. “Given these discussions on compliance with the pertinent provisions of RA 11683, as well as the support for the bill relayed through a letter dated December 5, 2022 by the League of Cities of the Philippines, this humble representation feels that it is only proper to extend a yes vote to the Carmona cityhood bill,” Gatchalian explained.
“With the enactment of this measure, more industries will be encouraged to invest in Carmona. That’s why we have in our hands the key in opening many opportunities towards the development of the local economy of the entire Cavite,” Gatchalian said. “To end, I would like to congratulate the local government of Carmona as the passage of this bill signals tremendous progress for their constituents,” he added.###
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