Sanggunian revives redistricting plan
8-10 DISTRICTS MULLED
LINGAYEN—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is reviving the move for the redistricting of the province from the existing six to eight given the projected population of 2,892,873 by year 2013.
Resolution No. 4-2013 was approved last week by the provincial board providing for the creation of an ad hoc committee to study the feasibility of redistricting and submits its report after six months.
“This redistricting has been there for many years and I’ve had some preliminary consultations with some congressmen who are receptive to increasing the number of legislative districts, possibly 10 because the population of the province is almost three million already,” said Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr., author of the resolution.
“I think there is no question as to the redistricting, it’s only a matter of what towns will constitute the other districts, the configuration of each legislative district — that will be quite contentious,” Bince added.
The 3rd District is expected to be the most affected area if the redistricting pushes through.
The resolution cites Article 6, Section 5 (3) of the Philippine Constitution which provides that each city or province of at least 250,000 populace and comprising as far as practicable contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory may constitute one legislative district.
The resolution also requires a study redistricting in order to promote “representative democracy that will result in economic and social progress.”
It cited as an example the passage of a bill redistricting the province of Cavite, which has a lesser population and area than Pangasinan, into seven legislative districts from three.
AD HOC COMMITTEE
The ad hoc committee will be composed of Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. (SP Presiding Officer), Bince (Chairman of the Committee on Laws and Ordinances), the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, Economic Affairs and Ways and Means, Atty. Geraldine Baniqued (Provincial Legal Officer), Atty. Verna Perez (SP Secretary), and Provincial Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizzaro.
The number of districts to be proposed will also be based on the report of the UP College of Public Administration, which has been engaged to draw a map together with the population of each town, according to Bince.
Bince, the longest serving board member, said he considers the redistricting of the province, if get done, as his ‘legacy’ contribution.–Johanne R. Macob and Eva Visperas
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
