BACOLOD City – The City of Bacolod must be divided into two congressional districts, according to some local officials.
“Our registered voters for the 2019 elections are expected to be about 300,000…Bacolod should have two districts,” said City Election Officer Mavil Sia.
“Indi na kaya sang isa ka election officer,” Sia added.
Councilor Caesar Districto backed Sia. He said it is “high time” that Bacolod puts two representatives in Congress.
“This will also result in many projects for the people to enjoy,” Distrito added.
In July 2016, Rep. Greg Gasataya filed House Bill No. 147, which seeks to reapportion Bacolod into two districts.
Gasataya lodged the bill due to the “consistently increasing population” of Negros Occidental’s capital city.
In February 2017, Gasataya has asked the stances of other local officials about Bacolod redistricting.
Among these officials were Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and members of the city council.
Gasataya said he authored the bill “in pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of basic services and equal representation for the people of Bacolod.”
He added that the bill is now pending at the House committee on local government, which is still waiting for a resolution from the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Leonardia has yet to issue his endorsement, too, Gasataya added.
Bacolod has a population of 592,591 based on the Philippine Statistics Authority census in 2016.
Article VI of the 1987 Constitution requires a minimum population of 250,000 for a congressional district.
Each district should be composed of a “contiguous, compact and adjacent territory,” the article stated./PN
