KALIBO, Aklan – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure dividing Aklan into districts.
The Act Reapportioning the Province of Aklan into Two Legislative Districts entitles each district to one representative each in Congress beginning the 2019 elections.
Signed on Sept. 21, the measure – authored by Rep. Carlito Marquez – shall take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Under the 1st District are the municipalities of Libacao, Madalag, Banga, Kalibo, Balete, Altavas, Batan, and New Washington.
Buruanga, Malay, Nabas, Ibajay, Tangalan, Makato, Numancia, Lezo, and Malinao towns, on the other hand, belong to the 2nd District.
Aklan met the population requirement (574,873 as of the 2010 Census) for the two legislative districts.
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.
The unnumbered Republic Act was signed by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sept. 10 and Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Sept. 12.
It was certified by Secretary of the Senate Myra Marie Villarica and Acting Secretary General of the House Dante Roberto Maling before it was transmitted to the Office of the President.
The Senate approved the measure on third and final reading on Aug. 28 with 19 affirmative votes. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
