Balungao is one of six fourth-class municipalities in the province of Pangasinan.
Its economy primarily relies on agriculture, tourism, and commerce, with most residents leading simple lives.
The town is strategically located between Rosales City and Umingan.
But now, this quiet town is making headlines.
After more than a decade, Balungao has been declared a first-class municipality, climbing from its fourth-class status.
“They said, ‘Ma’am, I don’t think we made a mistake,’ but it wasn’t us who did the computation. It was the concerned agencies. Our assistant treasurer and budget officer confirmed it. The next day, I still asked, ‘Is this legit?’ It was quite unbelievable,” Mayor Maria Theresa Rodriguez-Peralta narrated.
The reclassification was based on calculations by the Department of Finance.
The town’s significant income increase can be attributed to efficient tax collection and the residents’ timely payments.
“The contributions of our taxpayers are a huge factor, and I really, really want to thank them for that,” Mayor Maria Theresea commended.
Under the newly signed Republic Act 11964 or the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a municipality is classified as first class if its annual income exceeds 200 million pesos.
Second-class municipalities must have annual incomes between 160 million pesos and 200 million pesos, while third-class municipalities earn between 130 million pesos and 160 million pesos.
Fourth-class municipalities have incomes ranging from 90 million pesos to 130 million pesos, and those earning below 90 million pesos fall into the fifth-class category.
With this, the national tax allotment allocated by the Department of Budget and Management will increase, providing greater financial resources to enhance the town’s commerce, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
“We are also thinking about how to support our farmers better. In the coming years, we might explore joint ventures with the National Food Authority (NFA) to sell their produce,” Mayor Maria Theresa mentioned.
The municipal government is now awaiting guidelines to implement changes following its new classification, aiming to further improve the lives of its residents.
Balungao was a fifth-class municipality in the 1990s and became a fourth-class municipality in 2013.
BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
