TACLOBAN CITY- Saying that positive impact of cityhood far outweighs its possible negative effects, and that it would mean more economic progress for Baybay, Leyte, Board Member Carlo Loreto, himself a Baybayanon, appealed to residents of the first-class municipality to vote “yes” in the forthcoming June 16 plebiscite that would determine whether Baybay will officially become a city.

 Congress and the Senate have already approved a bill converting Baybay into a component City. Baybay will officially become a city once majority of its residents vote for cityhood in the forthcoming Plebiscite and the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approves it.

According to Loreto, who has authored the SP resolution supporting the cityhood of Baybay, there might be some sort of tax increase but the bigger picture is that cityhood will greatly improve Baybay in terms of investments, bigger Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Share, and increased economic activities “Along with cityhood, there might be a slight tax increase. But that would be insignificant and not burdensome to Baybay residents in the long run,” Loreto said.

“But the more important thing is that cityhood will make Baybay a “natural magnet” for investors. Investments in various industries will then pour in to revitalize and improve its economy and result in a rapid increase of commercial activities, whose impact would not only be felt in the municipality but also in other parts of the district and even in the entire province itself,” Loreto stressed.

Further, Loreto also emphasized the bigger Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Baybay will receive once it becomes a city.

“The IRA share of the municipality will jump from the present P90 million to P302 million, and there would be more than enough funds to improve existing infrastructure-roads, bridges, port, and commercial facilities-and even for building new ones that can help Baybay move forward at a much faster pace,” Loreto further said.

While acknowledging that the “tax thing” could affect the voting during the Plebiscite, Loreto appealed to fellow Baybayanons to see more of the positive impact of cityhood and vote “yes” in the June 16 Plebiscite.

“Because of the tax matter; there have been apprehensions and I’m not so sure than majority will back cityhood. But knowing and seeing its likely impact, I’m calling on them (fellow Baybayanons) to see more of the likely positive effects of cityhood and vote for it,” the board member said.

“I’m calling on you to come out and vote “yes” to the cityhood question come June 16 for the sake of further progress and development, not only for Baybay but also for the Fifth District and even Leyte,” Loreto appealed.