Malay, Aklan cityhood bill advances in House

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The bid to convert the municipality of Malay in Aklan into a city has gained ground after the House of Representatives consolidated earlier proposals into a single measure now awaiting plenary scheduling.

A consolidated cityhood bill was referred to the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives of the Philippines on Feb. 11.

The proposed “Charter of the City of Malay Boracay” was substituted under House Bill No. 07732 as the mother bill.

It consolidates House Bill Nos. 04415 and 05576, filed separately by Aklan Second District Rep. Florencio Miraflores and Rep. James Ang Jr. of the Uswag Ilonggo Party-list, respectively.

In his explanatory note, Miraflores described Malay as a first-class municipality that has long served as one of the country’s leading tourism and economic gateways.

Anchored by the world-renowned Boracay Island, he said Malay generates billions of pesos annually in tourism revenues, supports thousands of jobs, and contributes significantly to national economic growth.

“The creation of the City of Malay Boracay is […] necessary to strengthen governance in a municipality of national and global significance,” he said.

Miraflores said cityhood would enhance fiscal autonomy through increased access to a higher National Tax Allotment and enable the local government to adopt a more responsive political structure capable of addressing rapid urbanization, mass tourism, and environmental protection concerns.

He added that cityhood would support sustainability efforts by ensuring that Boracay and surrounding ecosystems are managed through adequately funded programs that balance tourism development with ecological preservation.

“Lastly, it will promote equitable growth by extending the benefits of tourism-led prosperity to its component barangays, fostering inclusive development across Malay,” he continued.

Under the proposed measure, the city will be divided into two legislative districts.

The First District, or Mainland Malay District, will cover 14 barangays: Caticlan, Sambiray, Argao, Napaan, Cogon, Cubay Norte, Cubay Sur, Nabaoy, Motag, Balusbos, Poblacion, Dumlog, Cabulihan, and Naasug.

The Second District, or Boracay Island District, will comprise the three barangays on Boracay Island: Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak.

Each district will elect five members to the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Malay, which administers Boracay Island, has been at the center of national attention in recent years, particularly during the island’s six-month closure in 2018 for environmental rehabilitation ordered by the national government.

If enacted, the charter will require ratification by Malay voters in a plebiscite to formally confer city status, in accordance with the Local Government Code.