BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here is urging Lone District’s Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez to file a bill that would divide the city into two legislative districts.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Government, said the council approved his proposed resolution last week, requesting the congressman anew to reenact a measure that would redistrict or reapportion the city’s lone district.
Espino emphasized that the request is a reiteration of several resolutions previously passed by the SP, reflecting the long-standing position of the council in favor of redistricting.
He explained that the proposed redistricting aligns with the objectives of the Local Government Code and the national policy on decentralization and local development planning.
Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that each legislative district shall, as far as practicable, comprise contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory with a population of at least 250,000. Espino noted that the most recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows Bacolod’s population has significantly exceeded the constitutional requirement, making it eligible for redistricting.
He added that the creation of two legislative districts would ensure proportional representation in Congress, improve access to national government programs, and strengthen democratic participation through more localized representation.
“The redistricting is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to Bacolod through increased congressional representation, greater access to national funding, infrastructure development, and socio-economic programs,” Espino said.
In response, Cong. Benitez expressed willingness to support the initiative, affirming his intent to file a bill in the House of Representatives.
“As I said previously, I will file a bill dividing Bacolod into two legislative districts. I hope the Senate and the President will see the necessity of this measure,” he said.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, who previously served as congressman, also expressed support for the move, saying he hopes the renewed push for the bill will finally lead to its passage.
Before the 19th Congress adjourned, House Bill (HB) 297 was filed, proposing the creation of Bacolod’s first and second legislative districts by apportioning its 61 barangays. The bill, authored by then Cong. Gasataya, was pending before the House Committee on Local Government.
It can be recalled that since his first term in 2016, Gasataya had consistently advocated for the passage of the redistricting measure./PN
