Duterte signs law creating new Southern Leyte congressional district

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the creation of another legislative district in Southern Leyte province.

Southern Leyte lone district Representative Roger Mercado announced Dutete’s signing of Republic Act 11198 or “An Act for the re-apportionment of Southern Leyte into two (2) Legislative Districts” on his official Facebook page last Friday, February 1.

Mercado said that splitting Southern Leyte into two districts provided “equitable representation” for the people in the province.

“I think many officials and their constituents especially from Pacific and Panaon towns have signified their positive stance on creating more congressional districts in Southern Leyte,” said Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado, the son of Rep. Mercado.

“Personally, I’m happy that President Duterte signed it into law already because this will generate more funding to the province which will lead to more developments,” the mayor told Sunstar Philippines.

The first legislative district will be composed of Maasin City, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, and Bontoc.

The second legislative district will include the towns of Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, Anahawan, San Juan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan and Silago.

Earlier, the congressman said that having one congressional district is an “enormous strain” on the delivery of its services to the people.

Based on the 2015 census, Southern Leyte registered a population of 421,750.

The minimum population requirement for the creation of a legislative district is 250,000, the solon said.

Based on Mercado’s proposal, the first district will be composed of Maasin City, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Sogod, Tomas Oppus, and Bontoc.

The second district will be composed of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, Anahawan, San Juan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan, and Silago.

Southern Leyte became a separate province of Leyte on July 1, 1960. (SunStar Philippines)

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