Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 26) — The prices of goods, water, and power bills in San Jose del Monte (SJDM) in Bulacan will not be affected if its conversion to a highly urbanized city status is approved, local authorities said on Thursday.
“Walang kinalaman ang pagtaas ng bilihin kapag naging highly urbanized city ang lungsod. Ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin ay batay sa Law of Supply and Demand,” the city government said in statement.
[Translation: The increase in prices has nothing to do with our city becoming a highly urbanized city. Price hikes are based on the Law of Supply and Demand.]
It added that the electric and water bills “would not automatically increase” and that tax paid by its people will not also “not automatically rise” after the status conversion from component city.
The Commission on Elections has set the plebiscite for the conversion on Oct. 30 to be held simultaneously with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
READ: Young Bulacan legislators back San Jose del Monte’s conversion into highly urbanized city
The SJDM government said if it attains a highly urbanized city status, employment generation, economic activities, and government services will be improved.
It will also heighten urban planning measures for construction of libraries, schools, classrooms, waiting sheds, sidewalks, bridges, and roads, among others, it added.
Cities which have a population of at least 200,000 and an annual income of ₱50 million can be classified as highly urbanized.
The SJDM’s population in 2020 was 649,918. The city government also said based on records, SJDM’s income in 2022 was ₱684.97 million.
