“THERE'S no more time to pass the proposed bill dividing Bacolod City into two legislative districts.”
This was stressed by Bacolod City Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the City Council committee on ways and means, Monday, June 28, 2021, after the proposed House Bill (HB) No. 147, which seeks to create a second legislative district for Bacolod, was still pending in the House Committee on Local Government.
Espino said he is hopeful that if Congressman Greg Gasataya will be given a chance in 2022, he can refile the bill to create a second legislative district for Bacolod.
In April, the City Council approved a resolution requesting Gasataya to update residents on the status of the proposed bill dividing the city into two legislative districts.
The resolution was authored by Espino.
Gasataya earlier said the House Committee on Local Government awaits the concurrence of the City of Bacolod through the approval of the City Council.
Espino said he is in favor of redistricting because it is beneficial for the people of Bacolod in terms of projects, but the City Council is still discussing the matter.
In July 2016, Gasataya introduced HB 147, which is an act reapportioning the lone legislative district of Bacolod and thereby creating a new legislative district from such reapportionment which seeks to create another legislative district due to its consistently increasing population.
Under Section 1 of HB 147, Barangays 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 41, Alangilan, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, Montevista, and Villamonte will comprise the first district.
Barangays 28, 29, 39, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, Alijis, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Taculing, Tangub, and Vista Alegre will comprise the second district.
The bill also proposes that the SP be composed of the vice mayor as presiding officer and eight regular Council members for each district, including the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, president of Sangguniang Kabataan, and other sectoral representatives as members.