The conversion of Kabankalan into a highly-urbanized city, as proposed by Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, may take years to realize.

While expressing his support to the proposal, Mayor Isidro Zayco said Friday that they have to comply first with the required number of population, which is 250,000.

With Kabankalan having a population of 200,000 as of this time, Zayco said it may take at least five years to comply with such requirement.

Alvarez,who is now on her second term as congresswoman of the 6th district of Negros Occidental, had earlier said that, among her priorities, will be the conversion of Kabankalan into a highly-urbanized city.

As a highly-urbanized city, Kabankalan will be autonomous of the provincial government and its residents will no longer vote for provincial government officials. It will also have its own congressman, Alvarez said.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., who attended the 16th charter anniversary of Kabankalan on Aug. 2, said “ If they can comply with the requirements, that is their privilege”.

“You can’t prevent that. That is the law,” Marañon, who was joined by Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Board Member Pedro Zayco and Mayor Zayco at the inspection of the Kabankalan airport, also said.* GPB

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