MABALACAT, Pampanga, Philippines — Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales of this highly industrialized town announced to his constituents on Wednesday that they are getting even closer to their longtime dream of becoming a city after the House of Representatives approved Tuesday a bill seeking to convert the said municipality into a component city in Pampanga.

Morales said that the Lower House committee on local government has approved House Bill 2509 or "An Act Converting the Municipality of Mabalacat in the Province of Pampanga into a component city to be known as the Mabalacat City."

The mayor said that the move has paved the way for Mabalacat to become the third city, aside from Angeles and San Fernando, in Pampanga within this year.

“The approval actually went easy sailing, and no objections from any congressman were raised,” he said.

"We will be able to carry out with our plans and programs and we will show to the people a government that cares and a government that is responsive," the elated local chief executive said.

Morales has long been campaigning for the conversion of the town into a component city saying that a better living standards awaits Mabalacatenos once the proposal is approved.