BACOLOD City — Incoming Congressman and incumbent Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez has announced plans to refile the redistricting bill for Bacolod City, which has long been pending in Congress.
“I will file a bill creating a second congressional district for the city,” Benitez said, expressing his support for the division of Bacolod into two legislative districts.
He acknowledged the apparent reluctance from some national leaders regarding the creation of new districts but noted that the Bacolod City Council had already passed a resolution in support of the redistricting proposal.
However, Benitez said he will seek the passage of a new resolution, as the previous one was passed by the outgoing city council and the refiling will take place under a new Congress and a new set of local legislators.
It may be recalled that outgoing Congressman Greg Gasataya, now the mayor-elect, had previously filed House Bill No. 297, which sought to divide Bacolod’s lone legislative district into two by apportioning its 61 barangays.
Gasataya earlier said that the bill remains pending before the House Committee on Local Government.
Under the proposed measure, the First Legislative District would include Barangays 1 to 31, 33, 41, Alangilan, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, Monte Vista, Villamonte, and Vista Alegre.
The Second Legislative District would cover Barangays 32, 34 to 40, Alijis, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang, Sum-ag, Taculing, and Tangub.
Based on the 2020 census, Bacolod City has a population of 600,783.
Gasataya emphasized that dividing the lone district has become a necessity. “It is mandated by the highest law of the land. This move is intended to ensure the delivery of efficient and effective public service, to provide adequate representation in Congress, and to guarantee that Bacolod receives its fair share of the national government’s resources,” he said./PN
