By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Julienne Therese Salvacion (left) explains the Quezon Provincial Government...
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| Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Julienne Therese Salvacion (left) explains the Quezon Provincial Government's position that Lucena remains a component city based on the DILG certification, while (from left) City Legal Officer Atty. Sheila De Leon, radio host Arnel Avila and Assistant City Legal Officer Atty. Kits Lagman discuss Lucena City's position that the city remains a Highly Urbanized City during the Aug. 4 edition of the Pag-usapan Natin program on 96.7 Destiny Radio. |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Thousands of Lucena residents could ultimately see changes in how their city is governed and how locally generated revenues are managed as a legal dispute over the city's status intensifies. Conflicting interpretations from the Provincial Government and Lucena City officials have transformed a decades-old legal question into one of the most consequential governance debates now facing Quezon Province.
The dispute escalated after Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan sought a formal legal clarification from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2025 regarding Lucena's status. The department later issued a legal opinion in December 2025 and a certification dated May 13, 2026 recognizing Lucena as a component city, a position that the Provincial Government of Quezon later explained in a video posted on its official Facebook page on Aug. 2.
For more than three decades, Lucena has generally been regarded by local officials and many residents as a Highly Urbanized City and has exercised a high degree of administrative autonomy. The DILG certification, however, revived debate over whether the legal requirements for the city's conversion were ever fully completed in 1991, an issue that both the Provincial Government and Lucena City continue to dispute.
The Provincial Government's explanation posted on its official Facebook page on Aug. 2 quickly generated widespread discussion and mixed reactions among Lucena residents and social media users. While some welcomed the clarification, others questioned why the certification was publicly discussed only this month and urged officials to explain how the issue could affect the city's finances, public services and future development.
The public discussion unfolded as Provincial Government officials and Lucena City legal officers presented conflicting interpretations of the laws governing the city's status. Their opposing positions became more visible after both sides publicly explained their legal arguments on separate platforms within two days of each other.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Julienne Therese Salvacion argued that Lucena never completed the legal requirements for conversion into a Highly Urbanized City. She said the absence of both a presidential proclamation and a ratifying plebiscite meant the process required under the Constitution and the Local Government Code remained incomplete.
"Bagamat nagpasa ng resolusyon ang Sangguniang Panlungsod noong 1991, endorsement of no objection lamang ang naisyu ng DILG. Wala pong presidential proclamation at ratifying plebiscite na itinakda ng batas kaya kinikilala ng DILG na nananatiling component city ng lalawigan ng Quezon ang Lucena."
Salvacion said the Provincial Government considers the Constitution and applicable laws to be the controlling basis for determining Lucena's status. She said the province's position is based on what it considers to be the legal requirements for HUC conversion.
"Ang component city po ay inaalalayan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pamamahala. Samantalang ang highly urbanized city ay mas independent na po at halos ka-level na ng probinsya kaya labas na ito sa administrative jurisdiction ng lalawigan."
Lucena City officials publicly disputed the Provincial Government's interpretation two days later during the Aug. 4 edition of the "Pag-usapan Natin" radio program on 96.7 Destiny Radio hosted by Arnel Avila. City Legal Officer Atty. Sheila De Leon and Assistant City Legal Officer Atty. Kits Lagman argued that the province relied on an incomplete reading of the laws governing Lucena's conversion into a Highly Urbanized City.
De Leon maintained that Lucena satisfied the income and population requirements under Batas Pambansa Blg. 337, which governed the city's application for HUC conversion in 1991. She argued that the legal requirements being cited by the Provincial Government were not the same requirements that applied when Lucena underwent the conversion process.
"Ang Lucena City po ay HUC at independent from Quezon Province. Subukan po nating kumpletong ipahayag sa publiko ang buong nilalaman ng batas at hindi lamang ang piling probisyon upang maunawaan ng mga mamamayan ang legal na batayan ng posisyon ng lungsod."
De Leon also pointed to Republic Act No. 3271, the Lucena City Charter, arguing that Congress envisioned Lucena as a city with independent governance from the time of its creation. She said Lucena's original charter and the laws in force in 1991 support the city's position that it remains a Highly Urbanized City.
"Kaya hindi tayo pwedeng ibalik kung saan man hindi tayo nanggaling. Mula pa lamang sa pagkakalikha ng Lucena City ay malinaw na layunin ng batas na ito ay magkaroon ng hiwalay at malayang pamamahala."
Lagman said Lucena has consistently maintained its position as a Highly Urbanized City for more than three decades. He added that the city's position is supported by the applicable law and implementing rules in effect when Lucena sought HUC conversion in 1991.
"We respectfully maintain our position that Lucena City remains to be a Highly Urbanized City. As had been for the past 30 years, we maintain our position na Highly Urbanized City pa rin po tayo."
Lagman also questioned the legal weight of the DILG opinion cited by the Provincial Government, arguing that it reflected only the facts presented in the request for an opinion and should not be treated as a final determination of Lucena's status. He maintained that the opinion does not have the force and effect of law and cannot substitute for a judicial ruling on the issue.
"The DILG opinion does not really have the force and effect of law, but rather it is an interpretation of the law. Sinabi naman mismo sa opinion na ang kanilang opinion ay based lamang sa facts presented sa kanila."
Despite the DILG opinion and certification, both the Provincial Government and Lucena City continue to assert opposing legal positions. Each side maintains that its reading of the applicable laws supports its claim over Lucena's status.
Provincial officials said Lucena's classification could affect the application of revenue-sharing provisions under the Local Government Code if the city is ultimately recognized as a component city. Lucena City officials, meanwhile, said preserving HUC status is important to maintaining the city's fiscal autonomy and funding for local government services.
Provincial officials have also pointed to existing revenue-sharing provisions as one of the practical consequences if Lucena is ultimately recognized as a component city. City officials, however, maintain that any change in the city's classification could affect long-term planning and fiscal independence, stressing that no such consequences should be assumed unless the issue is finally resolved through the proper legal process.
City legal officials said they are studying possible legal remedies in response to the DILG opinion and certification, including the legal options available to protect Lucena's position. They said any recommendation would first be submitted to the Office of the Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod before appropriate legal action is pursued.
Neither the Provincial Government's interpretation nor Lucena City's position has been affirmed through a final judicial ruling on the issue. Until a competent court or other proper authority resolves the dispute, both sides are expected to continue asserting their respective legal positions over Lucena's status.
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