Naga City has officially joined the ranks of the country’s top-tier urban centers after being designated as a Highly Urbanized City (HUC), marking its place as the 34th locality in the Philippines to achieve this distinction.
The upgrade was formalized through a proclamation signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which was publicly presented on Wednesday. The city’s transition to an HUC began on January 27, 2026, when the 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga passed Resolution No. 2026-078.
The measure was introduced after local lawmakers confirmed that Naga had successfully surpassed the legal population and annual revenue benchmarks required by national law.
A Historic Milestone and Memorial Tribute
The declaration coincided with the 68th birth anniversary of the late Jesse Robredo, the revered former Interior Secretary and long-time Naga City mayor who led the locality for nearly two decades.
The presidential proclamation was unveiled during a commemorative wreath-laying and flag-raising ceremony dedicated to the late statesman. The gathering was led by his widow, former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo.
Joining her were members of the Robredo family, local civil servants, village leaders, and representatives from various national agencies, including the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
During the event, Mayor Robredo read the executive order to the public, taking the opportunity to thank residents for their unwavering commitment to the community’s civic history.
Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado also addressed the crowd, emphasizing that Naga’s progressive, citizen-led governance framework continues to serve as a national model for local government units.
Upcoming Plebiscite Requirement
Despite the presidential endorsement, the HUC status will not be finalized until it undergoes a public vote.
In accordance with Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is legally required to organize a plebiscite.
”The COMELEC must schedule and facilitate a plebiscite within 120 days from the date of the presidential declaration to allow registered voters in Naga City to ratify the highly urbanized city classification.”
This standard democratic process ensures that the city’s registered voters have the final say in officially adopting the new classification.