MABALACAT, Pampanga—Mabalacat is boosting its image as the most progressive town in Pampanga, having posted the highest income among all towns in the province, according to a Commission on Audit (COA) report on the financial performance of Central Luzon towns over the last four years.According to the report, Mabalacat posted the highest income of P153 million in Pampanga, trailed by Mexico with P105 million.The local government of Mabalacat has also a total asset of P138 million, followed by Lubao with P94 million.Mayor Marino Morales said that the influx of more local and foreign investors in the first-class municipality revitalized the business sector and created more job opportunities. A sound revenue collection has also increased the local government’s coffers.Mabalacat’s income in 2001 was P142 million and P153 million in 2003. The yearly incomes were verified by municipal accountant Teodoro David and verified by state auditor Jovencio Lumba.Morales said the income of Mabalacat would likely triple to P500 million once the town is converted into a component city. A technical group is working for the conversion of the town into a component city.Morales has also credited the positive development in the town to the current peace and order in the town, which has the lowest crime rate in the province.After the conversion of San Fernando into a city, Mabalacat is the next town eyeing cityhood having met all requisites such as a yearly income of at least P1 million for three consecutive years, 150,000 population and a land area of 100,000 square kilometers.Mabalacat has more than 171,000 population, which is way above the requisite, and a sufficient land area.A resolution passed by the Sangguniang Bayan states that “the reclassification and upgrading of the status of the local government unit of Mabalacat into a ‘first-class municipality’ acquired for the past several years, has been attributed to the town’s increase in its current income and revenues realized locally, which have been translated into a continuous socioeconomic and infrastructure development, growth, progress and stability.”These positive gains, according to the resolution, have resulted to a very efficient and effective provision and delivery of quality services and vital facilities and the process and systems relevant in the execution and implementation of various programs/projects.Both the Mabalacat SB and the Association of Barangay Chairmen have earlier passed a similar resolution seeking the conversion of Mabalacat into a component city given the fast-pace development the town was experiencing.The SB and the ABC are expecting that more revenue share of the town would further translate to the overall development of the town, which is host to a coterie of local and foreign business. At least 90 percent of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CESZ) is within the Mabalacat town.“Having met all the requirements in terms of income, revenues, population and/or land area and in accordance with all the provisions of Art 11 par (a) of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Local Government Code of 1991 or RA 7160, the incumbent local government officials and administration expressed readiness and intentions and call upon concerned officials and agencies for support to realize the creation of the Municipality into a component city,” the resolution states.The ABC resolution also states that “the reclassification of Mabalacat from a first-class municipality to a component city would spur economic growth and development such that its transformation would further increase the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the 27 barangays of the municipality.”“The increase in the revenue share of the barangays would further translate these to new multi-purpose halls, day care centers and lengthy road concreting jobs for barangays. It would also entice new investments and create job opportunities for the people of Mabalacat.”Morales said that once the town realized cityhood, the local government “can be more efficient and effective.”