‘2 BETTER THAN 1’; Iloilo City may soon have another legislative district

ILOILO City – The House of Representatives approved House Bill 8477 or “An Act Reapportioning the Lone Legislative District of the City of Iloilo” on its third and final reading yesterday.

Filed by Rep. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda last July 29, 2019, the bill aims to add a legislative district here to help accelerate the metro’s growth and development as Western Visayas’ economic hub and regional center.

“Our dream of leveling up and becoming an even greater metropolis got a fresh boost,” according to Baronda.

Such dream, she said, was started by former congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. who filed House Bill 4256 in the 14th Congress, then by now Mayor Jerry Treñas who filed House Bills 12919 and 3474 in the 15th and 17th Congresses.

“We continued what they started, and we are fortunate to have successfully received support from our esteemed colleagues,” said Baronda.

House Bill 8477 is set to group the districts of Jaro, La Paz and Mandurriao together as the First Legislative District, and cluster City Proper, Molo, Arevalo and Lapuz as the Second Legislative District. 

Treñas welcomed the development. “It is long overdue. The creation of another district means another congressperson will be able to provide more projects, financial assistance, scholarships and other services,” he told Panay News.

The former legislator emphasized, “The city has already developed so much that we can accommodate another congressional district. Our constituents will benefit a lot from this development.”

Baronda told Panay News “reapportioning the city does not only lend an extra voice (to the Ilonggos). It also signifies an extra (pair of) ear(s).  Another district representative will allow for a better approach to the needs of the people.” 

“The growth in our city’s population must be met with this measure to ensure proportional representation,” added Baronda.  

Additional representation to voice Ilonggo interest

A barangay official also welcomed the bill’s approval, saying the city deserves more pro-people programs and services. 

Barangay Hibao-an Norte’s Barangay Captain Ariel Mirar embraces the idea of another legislative district representative as the growing population implies more people have to be provided with public services.

Mirar believes reapportioning the city will help leaders deliver services to those who need them the most.

“Matagaan importansiya ang tagsa-tagsa ka proyekto nga ipalab-ot sa komunidad ilabi na gid sa aton kabarangayan,” he said.

He was seconded by another barangay leader. “As a public servant for 16 years, I believe Iloilo City is qualified to have two representatives. This will provide the city with better opportunities,and advantage when it comes to projects,” John Jesner Perce H. Punsaran, ABK president of La Paz District, told Panay News.

“I also believe that creating two legislative districts would spur economic development for the city. It is about time that Iloilo City, which has long been acknowledged as the cultural, commercial, academic, religious and governmental center in Western Visayas, gets another legislative district,” added Punsaran.

Another community leader, Kagawad Raymond Mosquera of Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo, echoed Punsaran saying, “Makadala sang dugang nga proyekto ilabi na gid infrastructures, sa ciudad sang Iloilo.  Pamaagi man ini para mapadasig kag matagaan attention ang kada area sang duwa distrito.”

Baronda highlighted that this measure is for the greater good of the Ilonggos, saying “a stronger and concerted voice for the Ilonggo community in Congress by virtue of adding another district representative will underscore the urgency of bills, thereby allowing the possibility of an expedited process for proposed legislations that are of local significance.”  

More responsive approach

With Iloilo City’s population at 447,992 as per the latest Philippine Statistics Authority National Census (2015), an additional representative can aid in delivering context-based programs and solutions. 

Florist Maria Mae Abangan Soriano of Barangay Dulonan, Arevalo, meanwhile said it is practical to have two legislators speaking for Iloilo City.

“Naga-uswag na ang ciudad kag nagadako kag damu na ang responsibilities sang congressman. So need nga duwa ang ma-handle nga congressmen para matutokan maayo ang need sang pumoluyo,” she told Panay News.

Economic growth

The support for the reapportioning Iloilo City is also grounded on the enhanced funding support from the national government as it will lead to the much-needed boost in our city’s development that has been derailed by the pandemic.    

For millennial engineering student Renz Deerick S. Baido, the additional representative for Iloilo City is a “great opportunity in terms of economic stability” and “is beneficial for our future.”

He asserted that since the pandemic has affected the economy, another congressman or congresswoman will help push for more employment and livelihood programs. 

Baronda emphasized that this legislation can aid alleviate the ill-effects of the pandemic.

“The support of another champion for Iloilo City in the House of Representatives will provide that extra push for more legislation that can help enliven our economy,” she said.

Baronda emphasized that the reapportioning of Iloilo City does not mean a division or a split. The purpose of this piece of legislation is aimed at improving the lives of Ilonggos through better public service via additional representation.

“If we liken our city to a boat, it is better than two boatmen paddle it in going to our destination. We can get to where we want to be a lot faster,” she said.

She further said: “Take the case of our bill establishing the Iloilo City Hospital. If there are two congresspersons from our beloved city, they have a stronger voice in pushing for its approval. It may be a cliché but you know two is definitely better than one,” she further said.

House Bill 8477 is co-authored by Cong. Michael Gorriceta (2nd District, Iloilo Province), Cong. Raul Tupas (5th District, Iloilo Province) and Cong. Stephen Paduano.

A total of 207 legislators voted in favor of the bill while six abstained. No one voted against its passage.

It will be sent to the Senate for a counterpart legislative measure./PN

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