PILAR, Bataan — After a surge in economic development and the pouring of various investments in this strategic town, Pilar local officials headed by Mayor Charlie Pizarro and Vice Mayor Pablo are hopeful they could graduate to second class status from its current third class category soon.

Nohay, a close political ally of Gov. Tet Garcia and Rep. Abet S. Garcia, said that since the town’s Government Center has been making more than P2 million annually, “we are now readying our town to become a second class municipality with the establishment of various businesses.”

He cited the ongoing construction of the Total Gas commercial center in Alauli, the newly constructed three building hotel in Sitio Tabon, and the successful planting of jatropha in Barangay Liyang as among the more welcome developments.