'No hope for another congressional district'

CITY lone district Representative Jerry Treñas confirmed that the Senate is not taking any action on his proposal seeking an additional congressional district in Iloilo City.

Treñas said the city is not yet qualified to have two congressional districts because its population did not reach the required number of at least 500,000. This means, that in the 2013 election, city voters will only vote for one congressman.

The two congressional districts had been the dream of the city since the early 2000s. However, the city lacks the required number of population despite qualifying in land area and location.

In the 2007 census on households, the city has a population of more than 418,000 -- short of the required population count as important basis for two congressional districts.

However, Treñas is hopeful that the population will surpass the 500,000 count by 2016 as the city has a yearly growth rate of 1.9 percent.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker has filed a total of 27 House bills for the upgrading and conversion of 27 city roads into national roads to be maintained by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The DPWH has already approved and accepted 16 city roads into national roads and the road maintenance will be included in the 2013 national budget. (Lydia C. Pendon)