The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod approved on July 20 a resolution recommending approval of the proposed reapportionment of the City into two legislative districts, as contained in House Bill 297 of Rep. Greg Gasataya.
The resolution was authored by Councilor Al Victor Espino, who said that the reapportionment will spur economic growth and development, as well as more programs and projects for Bacolod.
Gasataya earlier said a resolution of support from the SP is needed for the proposed bill to move in the House. “We are required by the House Committee on Local Government to submit a resolution.”
The bill seeks to create two legislative districts in Bacolod by apportioning the 61 barangays.
Barangays 1 to 31, 33, 41, Alangilan, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, Monte Vista, Villamonte, and Vista Alegre shall comprise the First Legislative District; while barangays 32, 34 to 40, Alijis, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang, Sum-ag, Taculing, and Tangub shall comprise the Second Legislative District.
The bill also seeks the election of eight SP members for each legislative district.
Gasataya said that as per the August 1, 2015 Census of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the highly-urbanized City has a population of 561,875, with an average growth rate of 1.78 percent annually.
“Reapportionment is proper, legal, and feasible in the City of Bacolod due to the increase in population,” Espino said in his resolution, as he noted that, under the 1987 Constitution, “Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory.
“Each city, with a population of at least 250,000, or each province, shall have at least one representative,” he added.
Gasataya said the apportionment of the Lone District of Bacolod into two Legislative Districts has become a matter of necessity.
“It is mandated by the highest law of the land. It is to ensure that efficient and effective public service is rendered to the whole populace of Bacolod, that the City has adequate representation in Congress, and so that Bacolod receives its fair share of the national government’s resources,” the solon added./CGC
