29 towns now classified as “First-class”
MORE than half of the 44 towns in Pangasinan are now categorized as a first-class municipality while eight are second class, six in third class, and only one in fourth class in terms of income based on the new levels set by the Department of Finance (DOF).
The 29 first class towns with average annual income of at least P200 million are: Aguilar, Alcala, Asingan, Balungao, Bani, Bayambang, Binalonan, Binmaley, Bolinao, Bugallon, Calasiao, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Pozorrubio, Rosales, San Fabian, San Jacinto, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Sta. Barbara, Sison, Sual, Tayug, Umingan, Urbiztondo, and Villasis.
The second class municipalities with an income of at least P160 million but less than P200 million are: Anda, Agno, Mabini, Dasol, Infanta, Laoac, Sta. Maria and San Quintin.
In third class with an income of at least P130 million but less than P160 million are: Burgos, Labrador, Basista, Bautista, Mapandan and Natividad.
Sto. Tomas is the only fourth class town with an average annual income of at least P90 million but less than P130 million.
DOF Order No. 07-4-2024, signed by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on November 5, 2024, contains the first reclassification of provinces, cities, and towns in line with Republic Act 11964 or the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units signed in October 2023.
The law seeks to provide a more responsive approach to promoting local autonomy through a more rational system of determining “the financial capability and fiscal position of local government units (LGUs).”
It also serves as the basis for corresponding financial assistance and grants, local government capacity for programs and projects, salary adjustment for local government personnel in line with the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, and the potential creation of a new LGU, among others.
Among the four cities in Pangasinan, Urdaneta jumped from second to first class city, Dagupan remained in second class, San Carlos City jumped from third to second class, while Alaminos City moved up from fourth to third class.
Under the new schedule of income classification, a first-class city must have an average annual income of at least P1.3 billion; second class, P1 billion but less than P1.3 billion; and third class, P800 million or more but not less than P1 billion. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
