𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝟭𝟴𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬

Tayabas City, Quezon – This coming July 14, Tayabas City commemorates the 18th anniversary of its official cityhood. The journey to achieving city status was a long and arduous one, marked by legal challenges and unwavering determination from its residents.

The path to cityhood began with the filing of House Bill No. 12878 in the Eleventh Congress in 2001, sponsored by Congressman Rafael P. Nantes. This bill aimed to convert the municipality of Tayabas into a city. However, the passage of Republic Act No. 9009 in February 2001, which increased the required average annual income for cityhood, presented a significant hurdle. Despite meeting the previous requirements, Tayabas, along with several other municipalities, found itself facing this new, higher income threshold.

Undeterred, the local government, supported by House Joint Resolution No. 006 and Resolution No. 04-38, actively pursued legal avenues to address the situation. This persistent advocacy ultimately led to the passage of Republic Act No. 9398 on March 18, 2007, officially converting Tayabas into a component city of Quezon Province.

A plebiscite held on July 14, 2007, ratified RA 9398, despite a low voter turnout. However, the celebrations were short-lived. On November 18, 2008, the Supreme Court declared RA 9398 unconstitutional, citing concerns about compliance with the Local Government Code's criteria for cityhood. The case centered on the income requirement stipulated in Republic Act 9009.

After years of legal battles, the Supreme Court finally upheld the constitutionality and validity of RA 9398 on December 21, 2009, confirming Tayabas’s status as a city. This victory solidified the city's place within the province and marked the culmination of years of dedicated effort and perseverance.
Today, Tayabas City celebrates 18 years as a component city, a testament to the resilience and determination of its people and their unwavering commitment to their community's progress. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the long and challenging journey, and a celebration of the achievements made since achieving cityhood.

Happy 18th Anniversary, Tayabas City!

Source:
C I T Y O F T A Y A B A S

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