A group of young legislators has backed the move to convert San Jose del Monte, Bulacan into a highly urbanized city.

Members of the National Movement of Young Legislators Bulacan Chapter signed a manifesto to express their support for SJDM's possible transition to a highly urbanized city.

They cited Section 452 of Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which provides that local government units with a population of at least 200,000 and an annual income of P50 million would qualify as highly urbanized cities.

Earlier, a total of 23 Bulacan City and municipality mayors expressed their support for the city being recognized as highly urbanized.