Solon files bill to make Manolo Fortich a city

BUKIDNON 1st District Representative Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba has filed House Bill 8115 last Thursday, August 16, which seeks to convert the municipality of Manolo Fortich into a component city.

Acosta-Alba has noted that for past several years, Manolo Fortich has consistently been one of the most competitive municipalities in the country highlighted by a top 20 ranking in 2017 in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.

According to Acosta-Alba’s explanatory note, Manolo Fortich has ranked fifth in its local economy structure. It ranked first in presence of investment promotion unit and 18th in social protection.

It also ranked first in availability of basic utilities, land use plan, disaster risk reduction plan, annual disaster drill, early warning system and local risk assessments.

“Such a feat shows that it is time for Manolo Fortich to join the ranks

of component cities that make up Bukidnon. There is still much to be improved in the competitiveness list however. There also needs to look forward to the promise of many potential for Manolo Fortich in terms of economic, tourism, and investment opportunities,” the Bukidnon 1st district representative noted.

She said that the conversion of Manolo Fortich “will definitely enhance its economic, tourism, investment opportunities. The same will also contribute to the development of the province’s health services, education, transport system, markets, infrastructure, roadways and streets, and the general living condition of residents and entrepreneurs inhabiting therein.”

“Furthermore, it will yield in the active generation of revenues for national development,” she added.

The principal co-authors of the HB 8115 are Bukidnon 2nd Representative Florencio Flores Jr., Bukidon 3rd District Representative Manuel Zubiri, Misamis Oriental 2nd District Representative Juliette Uy, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Maximo Rodriguez Jr., lone District of Camiguin Representative Xavier Jesus Romualdo, lone District of Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao, and Cagayan de Oro City 1st District Representative Rolando Uy.