In a significant development for local governance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared Naga City in the Bicol region as the Philippines' 34th highly urbanized city (HUC). This proclamation, signed on Wednesday, follows Naga City's compliance with the income and population requirements set by the Local Government Code of 1991. The initiative for HUC status gained momentum after the 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod passed Resolution No. 2026-078 on January 27. Mayor Leni Robredo announced this milestone during the commemoration of Jesse Robredo's 68th birth anniversary, highlighting the legacy of governance reforms that have made Naga a model for participatory governance. Jesse Robredo, a former mayor and secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, was known for his commitment to transparency and community involvement. Following the presidential declaration, a plebiscite must be held within 120 days to formally convert Naga City into a highly urbanized city.