SAN JOSE, Antique – Population-wise, the province of Antique is already qualified to have two legislative districts, according to Atty. Ade Santillan Fajardo, former national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).
Having two representatives in Congress means a louder voice for the Antiqueños – and more attention would be given to the province.
“May healthy competition between two districts – ang congressman ka South kag ang congressman sa North will both work for investments. Bisan bukot gid man ri-a basic nga obra ka congressman pero bahol da ya nga impluwensya kang sangka congressman to attract investors for both districts,” said Fajardo in the online program “Giya Kang Banwa” on Sunday.
A district is required to have a population of at least 250,000 and Antique, with a total of 18 municipalities, already has a population of over 600,000 – thus ripe for the carving of another congressional district.
“Ang representation is on the basis of proportion sang aton nga population. Kon kita tana qualified pero sara lang ang aton nga boses, daw pareho lang kita ka Batanes — daw pira lang anda population, daw 40,000 lang…pero tungod nga probinsya sanda, entitled sanda, amo ri-a nga may isa sanda ka congressman. The people of Antique have the right to be properly and duly represented in Congress,” stressed Fajardo.
A candidate for Antique congressman, Fajardo said he would seriously consider crafting a measure that would carve two legislative districts in Antique should he win in the upcoming May 2022 elections.
The true-blooded Antiqueño believes this move will be a great help to make the province progress further. For one, he said, having two districts would make it easier to address basic concerns such as improving the delivery of health services.
Fajardo, cited for instance, the hospital in Barbaza town which can only give basic medical services.
“Kon grabe ron, sangka oras pa timu mabyahe paagto sa San Jose,” he lamented.
San Jose is the capital town of the province. It is where the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital is located.
Fajardo added that improving healthcare services means many would also be employed like doctors and nurses among other healthcare workers.
“Ang naga-supply bulong and medical equipment marabong kon may mayad nga ospital,” Fajardo added.
The larger goal is stimulating economic activities in the province, he said.
“Amo bay ra ang basic sa economics. Kon may gasulod kwarta sa sweldo, ginagastos man ang sweldo. Kon magsulod ang kwarta sa negosyo, ginagastos man. Nagalibot-libot ang kwarta, nagapitik ang aton ekonomiya, naga-mayad ang pangabuhi kang mga pumuluyo naton,” said Fajardo.
Having two legislative districts also means their respective representatives could concentrate on addressing various concerns of the towns under their turfs./PN
