By Charissa M. Luci
Deputy Speaker Bai Sandra Sema has filed a proposal that will redistrict the province of Maguindanao and Cotabato City into three legislative districts.
The woman lawmaker, who represents the first district of Maguindanao, attributed her proposed division of Maguindanao province and Cotabato City into three legislative districts to the growing population in these areas.
“After many years, the population of the province of Maguindanao, including Cotabato City has increased so much, so there is a need to redistrict the area into three legislative districts,” she said.
At present, Maguindanao, including Cotabato City only has two legislative districts.
Under Sema’s House Bill 5186, the first legislative district shall consist of the municipalities of Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Northern Kabuntalan, and Upi and Cotabato City.
The second legislative district shall consist of municipalities of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hofer, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. S.K., Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saidona Mustapha, South Upi, Sultan sa Barongis, Sultan Sumagka, and Talayan.
The third legislative district shall consist of the municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat and Sultan Mastura.
“The redistricting of the area will afford the constituents of the place with appropriate number of Representatives needed to represent them in the House of Representatives,” Sema said.
HB 5186 provides that the incumbent representatives of the first legislative district of Maguindanao and Cotabato City and the second legislative district of Maguindanao shall continue to represent their districts until the new representatives of the redistricted province of Maguindanao and Cotabato City shall have been elected and qualified in the next regular congressional elections.
The bill provides that the Comelec shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisons of the proposed Act.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/15/solon-wants-additional-legislative-district-in-maguindanao-cotabato-city/
