Naga: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has proclaimed Naga City in Camarines Sur as a highly urbanized city (HUC), recognizing its compliance with the requirements set under the Local Government Code of 1991.
According to Philippines News Agency, under Proclamation No. 1267, signed on May 26 by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of the President, Naga City met the population and income thresholds prescribed under Section 452 of Republic Act 7160. The city has a population of 210,545, based on certification from the Philippine Statistics Authority, and an annual income of PHP298.53 million at 1991 constant prices, as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.
The proclamation makes Naga the country's 34th highly urbanized city and the latest local government unit to qualify for the status, which grants greater administrative autonomy from provincial oversight. According to the proclamation, the declaration was made upon the request of Naga's Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) through Resolution No. 2026-078.
However, the change in status will take effect only upon ratification by Naga City's qualified voters in a plebiscite, as required under Section 453 of the Local Government Code. Located in the Bicol Region, Naga City serves as a major economic, educational, religious, and commercial center in southern Luzon and is widely recognized for pioneering participatory governance programs.
