Valencia City seeks highly urbanized status for greater autonomy

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – Valencia City, known as the “City of Golden Harvest,” is seeking to become Bukidnon’s first and Mindanao’s seventh highly urbanized city (HUC) to achieve greater administrative and fiscal autonomy. Mayor Amie Galario has called for the city council’s support for a resolution formally petitioning the national government to convert the city into an HUC. The proposed resolution is currently under deliberation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and is a key requirement under the Local Government Code of 1991 for cities seeking HUC status. Mayor Galario stressed that Valencia City already meets the two primary qualifications for HUC status: population and income. To qualify, a city needs an annual income of at least P50 million (in 1991 constant prices, equivalent to P250 million in current value) and a population of at least 200,000 residents. Latest local government data indicates Valencia City has surpassed the population requirement with over 223,000 residents. Its annual income also significantly exceeds the threshold, supported by a growing local economy and strong revenue collection. For 2026, Valencia has an approved annual budget of P2.725 billion, with P2.137 billion from its National Tax Allocation (NTA) and P476.24 million from locally generated revenues. The city government has intensified information campaigns and adopted measures to build public support for the conversion bid. Obtaining HUC status would grant Valencia City greater administrative and fiscal autonomy, enabling it to directly manage its resources, implement development programs more efficiently, and access larger national government funding for infrastructure and public services. Recognized as Bukidnon’s economic and commercial hub, Valencia City produces rice, corn, and high-value crops such as pineapple and banana. Since its conversion from a municipality to a component city on January 12, 2001, the city has experienced rapid urban growth fueled by trade, agriculture, education, and investment activities. Mayor Galario pointed out that Valencia’s economic performance, expanding population, and role as the province’s “primary growth center” make it a strong candidate for HUC status. If approved, Valencia would join Mindanao’s six existing HUCs: Davao, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Butuan, and General Santos. In recent years, many local governments have sought greater autonomy to manage increasingly urbanized economies. In 2025, Naga City in Camarines Sur was declared the country’s 34th HUC after meeting the required population and income benchmarks. Galario stated that Valencia’s bid is not merely a change in classification but a recognition of its emergence as one of Northern Mindanao’s fastest-growing urban centers.