From Towns to Cities? Things to Consider before Casting Your Vote for the Conversion of Bacoor and Imus into Cities

Last April 10 and 11, Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law Republic Act Nos. 10160 and 10161, which converted Bacoor and Imus towns, respectively, into cities.

To ratify their charters, they will conduct plebiscite votes from the residents on June 23 for Bacoor and June 30 for Imus. Majority of the residents must ratify the charter. Bacoor has a registered voting population of 256,000 while for Imus, it’s 151,720 for Imus.

Requirements to become a city	locally generated income of at least P100 million (based on constant prices in the year 2000) for the last two consecutive years, as certified by the Department of Finance (DoF)
	AND
	a population of 150,000 or more, as certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO)	OR	a contiguous territory of 100 sq. km, as certified by the Land Management Bureau, with contiguity not being a requisite for areas that are on two or more islands
	Congress is the lone legislative entity that can incorporate cities
	The last per-requisite for a municipality to become a city is a plebiscite vote from the residents where a majority must ratify the charter.

What people should keep in mind is that moving from City to Municipality is more than just a change of label. It also doesn't mean an automatic step-up from to a "cooler" status just because you now live in a city. There are important changes in the roles and function of the different branches of your local government that would affect the way you live.

Because I strongly believe in the importance of making informed decisions (and because I am a geek), the table below addresses some of the things the voters and residents of these two towns must consider before casting your votes:

Although there are other differences and changes that should  be considered, the above, I feel are some of the things people would look into the most because this is where they are directly concerned. Either from casting their votes, the laws and policies of their local governments, the taxes they pay and where those taxes should go.

Personally, even though these two towns have met the requirements specified by the law for conversion, I believe that Bacoor is more financially and politically stable to become a city than Imus. The problematic political dynamics in Imus (given the the repetitive questions in the authority of the local chief executives of late) signify its immaturity. This may make its conversion and the political structure that may arise from the its conversion more prone to abuse.

But I am just one vote and one mind hoping that others would consider what THEIR one vote would mean for them and the succeeding generations.

Of sea, sand and – testosterones?

In case one of your reasons for hitting the beach is to go boy-searching, and just in case you want some assurance that you won’t have to compete with most of the boys for the boys you’ve found, maybe you might want to try Warrior’s Beach Resort in Ternate, Cavite.

Found some three to four hours away from Manila, Warrior’s Beach is also known as the General Gregorio Lim Marine Base. Here, you can feast your eyes as a troop of Philippine Marines do their morning trainings on the grounds, on the beach or in the water.

(Photo credit: https://namvietnews.wordpress.com)

But the base isn’t just for objectifying our country’s troops. It’s also been dubbed as the “Bora de Cavite” for its powdery sand and turquoise waters. However, the experience you’ll have here is more like Survivor than Jersey Shore.

Although there are rooms for rent at P700/night, they’re very limited so most overnighters bring their own tents or sleep on the benches under the trees. There is electricity, but you’d have to play nice with the other campers so you can share with them.

Remember to bring your own, hopefully pre-cooked, food unless you’re ok with eating instant noodles and canned goods from the two sari-sari stores in the area.

Getting There
If you're commuting	Projected Cost per person per one-way trip		If you're bring a private vehicle	Projected Cost per person per one-way trip
	(in PhP)			(in PhP)
From Manila, go via LRT/MRT/bus/jeep to Baclaran	(depending on where you're coming from)		From Manila, take coastal road	24 (toll fee)
Take a bus (Saulog Liner) or minibus to the bus terminal in Ternate	75-85		Take the left lanes that say you're on you're way to Noveleta/Kawit - that'll lead you to the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex)	65 (toll fee)
From here, hire a jeepney to take you to Warrior's Beach which they usually refer to as the Marine Base	500*		Take the exit toward Covelandia Road and turn right.
			Continue driving along Centennial Rd., then, Antero Soriano Highway and finally Governor's Drive. This will take you past the towns of Kawit, Naic and Tanza.
* for the whole jeepney			The main gate is located along the road between Puerto Azul and Caylabne Bay.
Or you can check out this map
Entrance Fee		100
Parking Fee		50
Overnight		200
Room		700

Other tips:

• If you’re commuting, don’t forget to get the mobile number of your jeepney driver. In case he’s not staying over at the Marine base, you’d want to be able to contact him when you want to be picked up.
• If you have a chance to go here during weekdays, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to have the beach all to yourselves
• I suggest you spend the night. The beach is a lot more enjoyable during the early mornings (not just because the MArines go out to train) but because the waters are calmer. There aren’t many rocks, seaweeds or sea urchins in the water either. The sand was fairly level and consistent (no sudden dips) that we were actually able to play Frisbee in the water without anyone getting hurt (except maybe my ego)
• Another reason why you might want to spend the night is because you wouldn’t want to be caught on the road when it gets dark, especially if your driver is unfamiliar with the area
• Try to get there early so you can reserve your spot on the beach/cottages/rooms

       Other photo credits go to KLDominguez