ABONO Partylist Rep. Robert Estrella has filed a bill that seeks to reapportion Pangasinan from its current six legislative districts into eight, citing the need for fairer representation and improved delivery of public services.

House Bill No. 5133 comes in response to the province’s growing population. The 2020 Census shows the province had a population of 3,163,190, which increased to about 3.2 million by 2021, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Under the 1987 Constitution, specifically Article VI, Section 5, legislative districts must be apportioned based on population size.

“This is a step toward a more just, efficient, and progressive Pangasinan,” Estrella said.

The bill aims to comply with constitutional guidelines on district representation, enhance access to government services and funding for towns and cities across the province, and strengthen the collective voice of Pangasinenses in national policymaking.

Under the proposed measure, Pangasinan will be divided into eight legislative districts with the corresponding towns and cities:

• First District – Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Infanta, Dasol, Alaminos City, Sual, and Mabini
• Second District – Labrador, Bugallon, Lingayen, Aguilar, Mangatarem, and Binmaley
• Third District – Calasiao, Malasiqui, Mapandan, Sta. Barbara, and San Carlos City
• Fourth District – Dagupan City, Mangaldan, San Fabian, and San Jacinto
• Fifth District – Sison, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, Urdaneta City, and Manaoag
• Sixth District – San Manuel, San Quintin, Umingan, Tayug, Natividad, and San Nicolas
• Seventh District – Sto. Tomas, Rosales, Asingan, Villasis, Sta. Maria, and Balungao
• Eighth District – Bautista, Bayambang, Urbiztondo, Basista, and Alcala.

Incumbent representatives will continue to serve their terms until new legislators are elected following the enactment of the measure. He noted that the creation of two additional districts will also enable more focused and responsive governance—particularly in areas experiencing rapid growth and development.

The bill has already passed first reading and is now under review by the appropriate committee. (Eva Visperas)

 

Lambino supports proposal on 8 districts

VICE Governor Mark Lambino expressed support for the proposed reapportionment of Pangasinan into eight legislative districts from the current six, describing it as a “timely and worthy” move that could strengthen the province’s representation in Congress.

The measure, filed as House Bill No. 5133 by ABONO Partylist Rep. Robert Estrella, seeks to divide Pangasinan’s current six districts into eight to ensure fairer representation in line with population growth.

In a media interview, Lambino said that while the terms “reapportionment, redistricting, and separation” are often used interchangeably, the essence of the bill is to add more legislative districts in Pangasinan — a move that has long been discussed but never realized.

“When the Local Government Code was passed more than 30 years ago, Pangasinan already had six districts — and it remains the same until now,” he said. “Compared to other provinces like Cebu and Cavite, which have added more districts over time, Pangasinan’s population has grown significantly, but its representation has not.”

Lambino explained that under the Constitution, one legislative district should represent at least 250,000 people, which means Pangasinan’s population could justify as many as 12 districts.

The proposed bill, he said, aims to address this imbalance by creating two additional districts.

He added that while the provincial government has no direct role in the legislative process, it welcomes the initiative since it could lead to greater representation and support from the national government.

Lambino recalled that earlier proposals to redistrict Pangasinan, such as one made in the early 2000s, did not prosper due to mapping issues and concerns of gerrymandering. But he noted that conditions have since changed.  (Eva Visperas)