BACOLOD City – The House of Representatives Committee on Local Government is yet to hold hearings for House Bill (HB) 297 which proposes the creation of two legislative districts here by apportioning 61 barangays.
HB 297 proponent, Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, said a hearing has already been scheduled but its conduct stalled due to the appointment last month of Cong. Rexlon Gatchalian – the committee chairman – as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Gasataya said once a new committee chair is named, he would press for the hearing to proceed.
He hopes the redistricting would be realized before the 2025 midterm elections.
Under the proposed redistricting, barangays 1 to 31, 33, 41, Alangilan, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, Monte Vista, Villamonte, and Vista Alegre shall comprise the First Legislative District.
On the other hand, 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.
Based on the 2020 Philippine Statistics Authority census, Bacolod City has a population of 600,783.
Each legislative district, as per Article VI, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution, shall have a population of at least 250,000.
Gasataya said the apportionment of the Lone District of this city into two legislative districts has become a 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 City, that the city has adequate representation in Congress, and that Bacolod City receives its fair share of the national government’s resources,” said Gasataya./PN
