The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the measure seeking to divide Iloilo City into two legislative districts.
“Our dream of leveling up and becoming an even greater metropolis got a fresh boost today (Feb. 2) with the approval of our bill adding a legislative district in Iloilo City,” said Representative Julienne “Jamjam,” Baronda.
Baronda is the author of House Bill 8477 or An Act Reapportioning the Lone Legislative District of the City of Iloilo.
Under the proposed bill, the First Legislative District will be composed of Jaro, La Paz, and Mandurriao while the Second Legislative District will be comprised of City Proper, Molo, Arevalo, and Lapuz.
“Instead of one, there will be two representatives of our city in the House of Representatives if this becomes a law. This means we will have a louder voice in Congress, which lives up to the principle of proportional representation,” said Baronda.
“With two legislators, we can expect more projects and programs from the national government, a doubled effort to woo investors and more benefits for the people,” she added.
The bill, which was first filed by Baronda in 2019, also mandates the reapportionment of the composition of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). From 12, the number of SP members will be increased to 16 – eight will come from each of the two new legislative districts.
Baronda is hopeful that the bill will be passed into law during her term.
She thanked Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, House Committee on Local Government chair Noel Villanueva, House Committee on Rules chair Ferdinand Martin Romualdez “for seeing the value of this bill and for their unwavering support.”
House Bill 8477 is co-authored by Representatives Michael Gorriceta, Raul Tupas, and Stephen Paduano.
A counterpart bill needs to be passed by the Senate for it to finally become a law.
“We hope that the Senate will give its nod to a greater and leveled up Iloilo City by passing a counterpart bill,” said Baronda.IMT
