IMUS, Cavite, Philippines — Neighboring towns of Bacoor and Imus may become cities soon.

Many citizens are unaware that the Senate has already approved on final reading last month the bills converting the two neighboring towns into cities, according to Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Bacoor and Imus would be the 5th and 6th cities of Cavite with the Congress approval after Cavite City, the province's former capital; Trece Martires City, the site of the Capitol; prime tourist destination Tagaytay City and Dasmarinas City, the province's most populated area.

Bacoor is the so-called Cavite’s Gateway to and from Southern Metro Manila and Imus the current capital of the province. The two first class municipalities became lone districts only in December 2010 with Congress and Malacanang's approval.

The measure approval converting Bacoor and Imus into cities was known in a statement released last December by Marcos at the Senate website.

The release said that the Senate approved on final reading two bills on the conversion of Bacoor and Imus into cities.

Marcos Jr., chairman of Senate Local Government Committee, was the sponsor of House Bill Nos. 4729 and 4730, otherwise known as Acts converting Imus and Bacoor as Component Cities.

The Senate approval has surprised many officials and citizens in the two areas as the move was not given much-publicity.

In his statement, Marcos said that Bacoor and Imus have complied with the prerequisites for the two towns to become cities.

Marcos cited that the conversion of Imus and Bacoor into cities will enhance the capability of their respective local government units (LGUs) to deliver needed services to a growing population.

He also that Bacoor and Imus will become more effective partners of the national government in promoting economic growth.

Marcos, citing records, said that Imus has earned an income classification of first class since 1986 and showed a steady rise in its income through the years.

The senator claimed that the average annual income of Imus for calendar years 2008 and 2009 is P144,981,443,72, which is more than the P100 million income required for towns to become cities under Republic Act 2009, amending section 450 of the Local Government Code of Republic Act 7160.