HOUSE Special Committee on Food Security Chair Rep. Raymond Adrian E. Salceda (Albay, 3rd District) has filed House Bill No. 4004, which seeks to declare Ligao City as the Secondary Administrative Capital of the Bicol Region and require national government agencies related to agriculture, fisheries, and rural development to establish satellite offices there.
Salceda explained that while Legazpi City remains the current regional capital, its location on the Pacific-facing seaboard exposes it to typhoons, storm surges, floods, lahar flows, and eruptions of Mayon Volcano. “We need continuity of governance in times of disaster. Ligao City, being inland and closer to the geographic midpoint of the region, is safer, more central, and more accessible,” he said.
He highlighted Ligao’s location within the Quinale River Basin, which sustains one of the largest agricultural areas in Bicol. The city also lies close to Pantao and Pio Duran ports, connecting Albay to Masbate and the Visayas. “This location makes Ligao a natural hub for agriculture, fisheries, and rural development services, the sectors that employ the majority of Bicolanos,” he added.
Salceda also stressed Ligao’s practical advantages as a government hub. “Nasa midpoint po ng Bicol ang Ligao. Malaki ang backyard ng Ligao, kaya puwedeng-puwede para sa mga government agencies na related sa rural development, kasi kailangan talaga nila ng malalaking lote para sa mga training centers, demo farms, at field offices,” he said.
Under HB 4004, all concerned national government agencies with mandates in rural development—including agriculture, fisheries, agrarian reform, irrigation, forestry, and livelihood—will be directed to establish satellite offices in Ligao City to ensure more direct support to farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives, and rural communities across the region.
“Kagaya po ni Cong. Joey Salceda na nagsulong ng Cityhood ng Ligao, gusto ko pong sundan itong legasiya ng paglilingkod sa pamamagitan ng lalong pagpapaunlad ng Lungsod ng Ligao,” Rep. Adrian Salceda said.
He urged the immediate passage of the bill, noting that “the Bicol Region’s future prosperity depends on resilient governance and stronger support for the agriculture and fisheries sectors that sustain our people.”
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