The municipality of Nabunturan in Davao de Oro is eyeing for cityhood, according to an official.
Nabunturan Mayor Myrocel Clarin-Balili told the media that they are now laying the groundwork and are even optimistic that they will be approved.
“As a capital town dako ang among chance na mahimong city so we are hoping and working for it,” she said.
Nabunturan is a first class municipality and capital of the province of Davao de Oro. It is home to various tourism destinations.
Currently, Nabunturan has an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of P150 million, which is P250 million short of the requirement of P400 million to become a city.
“We are working hard para mahimo ming city, imagine P400 million. But optimistic man ta,” Balili said.
Balili said they have high hopes for the housing program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration to help them achieve their goal of cityhood.
Last week, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOUs) with the cities of Mati, Digos, Davao, and Samal and also with the Municipality of Nabunturan for the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).
DHSUD together with the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao (OPAMINE), is eyeing to build 380,000 housing units in Davao Region as part of the national housing program of the Marcos administration.
The 4PH Program is a project of Marcos, which aims to establish livable communities by providing decent housing for the Filipinos.
Balili said they are allotting 5.8 hectares for the said housing program and is eyeing to build a condo-type housing.
She said the target beneficiaries are the informal settlers and the employees of the local government of Nabunturan.
“Ang among counterpart is the land. Naga landbanking man ta and the beneficiaries are the informal settlers, employees of the LGU na wala pay balay. Ga-landbanking mi from the previous admin pa, karon maglandbanking pud mi. Gi-take namo ang opportunity because we are preparing for a cityhood. Pag cityhood nami puhon hopefully naka prepare na gyud mi kay magkadako ug magkadaghan ang amoang mga tao sa Nabunturan,” she said.
