E.B. Magalona upgraded to First-Class Municipality

December 6, 2024

Starting January 2025, E. B. Magalona will be upgraded to First-Class Municipality, after its income status was updated by the Department of Finance – Bureau of Local Government Finance (DOF- BLGF) this December.

The DOF-BLGF, through its Order No. 074-2024 published Thursday [Dec. 5], updated the income classification of all local government units (LGUs) across the country according to their current financial capabilities.

For a municipality to be classified as first-class, its average annual income must range between P200 million or more (which are derived from local revenue sources that includes real property, business taxes, and other fees) for three fiscal years (2022 to 2024) preceding a general income reclassification.

Mayor Marvin Malacon said, “The reclassification of E. B. Magalona from second-class to first-class municipality is a recognition of our sound fiscal policy and financial management through the years, resulting in effective revenue generation and sustainable growth initiatives.”

The mayor thanked every Saraviahanon for this milestone, saying, “This accomplishment speaks of our love for our beloved town and our unity to work for progress so that every Saraviahanon may have a better life.”

Municipal Budget Officer Debbie Ann Monte said that this year, E. B. Magalona had an 18-percent increase in its NTA, and the municipality will have a projected budget of P300 million for next year, including from its local sources of revenues.

Malacon added that the increase in annual budget would translate to more basic services for Saraviahanon constituents, more programs and projects, and increase in salaries of employees and the number of plantilla positions in the Municipal Government.

Republic Act No. 11964, or the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act, signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, classifies provinces, cities, and municipalities into five classes according to their income ranges.* (E.B. Magalona PIO)