This developed after Senate panel on Wednesday approved in the committee level House Bill 9820 which seeks to separate the Sitio Tulalian from Barangay Balagunan in the Municipality of Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte.
The Committee on Local Government chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino invited Mayor Ernesto Evangelista to be part of the public hearing of the said Committee joint with Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation; Government Corporations and Public Enterprises; and Finance.
Evangelista said creation of Barangay Tulalian was a priority of his administration since the said barangay is not receiving a National Tax Allotment (NATA) previously referred to as the "Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) which is derived from all national taxes or revenues actually realized or collected by the national government.
“Residents of Barangay Tulalian deserves to receive a share from the national government. If enacted into law, we can provide more and better services to our people through the various programs, projects and activities,” he said.
The Santo Tomas LGU under the Evangelista administration is providing an P800, 0000 subsidy to Barangay Tulalian while the Province of Davao del Norte under the leadership of Governor Edwin Jubahib provides P500, 000 subsidy as well.
Barangay Tulalian is operating an annual budget of P1.3 million, according to Evangelista.
If the proposed measure is enacted into law, Barangay Tulalian will be able to receive its NATA from the national government by January 2023, a DBM official said who took part in the hybrid public hearing.
Evangelista said he thanked the leadership of Tolentino, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa and member-Senators of the Committee on Local Government for backing up the proposed measures and pushing to get the bill to the plenary where other lawmakers can raise their issues on the measure.
The mayor also lauded Councilor Julie H. Mantequilla for sponsoring SB Resolution No. 02 series of 2022 which seeks the leadership of the Senate to fast track the approval of the proposed measure.
Evangelista likewise thanked the legislators who pushed this proposed measures for the benefit of Tomasinos in Barangay Tulalian.
House Bill 9820 was filed by 2nd District Davao del Norte Congressman Alan Dujali and co-authored by Rep. Macnell Lusotan of Marino Partylist, and Deputy Speaker Neptali Gonzales .
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