Treñas, other city mayors to meet with PGMA over IRA cut
Mayors all over the country will meet with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today (Monday) to discuss the "expected cut" in their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) since the Supreme Court (SC) has yet to decide on their motion for a temporary restraining order regarding the conversion of 18 municipalities into new cities.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, chair of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), said they want to seek audience with the President to address the impending problem on the IRA cut. They had earlier lobbied before the President to put an end to the creation of new cities but to no avail.
Treñas said worst to be affected with the expected cut is Puerto Princesa City, Zamboanga and Davao. While, Iloilo City's share in IRA will decrease by as much as P3 million. The city will only receive a share of P36 million.
Most local governments depend on their share in the IRA to finance at least 70 percent of their operations. With the cut, local government officials deemed setbacks on the delivery of basic services to the people.
Treñas said the creation of 18 new cities practically reduced their IRA. They consider the newly converted cities as competitors for their IRA pie. However, they are hoping the President could give them relief on their problems.
The conversion of municipalities into cities happens before the election. This is when congressmen and senators could not refuse the call of the municipal mayors to convert their municipalities into cities.
The conversion of municipalities into cities should be based on the income, population and land area of the place, said Treñas.