Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo announced on May 27 that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a proclamation declaring Naga a highly urbanized city.
The proclamation came after the Naga City Council passed Resolution No. 2026-078 on January 27. It marks the first city in the Bicol region to receive the status and the 34th nationwide.
Robredo said the news arrived on the birthday of her late husband Jesse Robredo. She thanked everyone who helped secure the classification.
The new status will give Naga independence from the Camarines Sur provincial government. A plebiscite to be conducted by the Commission on Elections remains required for final ratification by residents.
