Minglanilla mayor not thrilled by cityhood idea at this time

CEBU, Philippines - Outgoing Minglanilla town Mayor Eduardo Selma said a variety of things should be done first before the town aims for cityhood.

"Wala pa mi'y plano," Selma said.

He said the town is already qualified to become a city but there are things to do to make the town ready and worthy of cityhood.

The Local Government Code dictates that for a town to become a city, it has to have a land area of not less than 100 square kilometers.

Also, the law requires that a municipality may be converted into a component city only if it meets two of three requirements: locally generated average annual income of P100 million for the last two consecutive years, contiguous territory of at least 100 sq km, or a population of not less than 150,000 inhabitants.

A 2010 survey showed the town's population at 113,178 and an annual income of over P100 million.

It has a total land area of 6,596.69 hectares.

Selma expects the town to experience an economic boom within the next few years taking into consideration the start of a 100-hectare reclamation project in the coastal barangays of Tulay and Calajo-an.

Ming-Mori Development Corporation will be at the helm of the project.

Ming-Mori Development Corporation Chairman Joe Soberano said the project is seen to complete in less than five years, and will attract at least 50 foreign direct Investors (FDIs) that will largely engage in light industries.

Soberano said the company will start off an intensive promotional roadshow targetting the countries of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, among others.

The group will also tap the expertise of the Cebu Investments and Promotions Center (CIPC). – (FREEMAN)