Zambo City congressman wants to split district to two

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe wants to reapportion the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts.

Citing Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, he said Congress has the power to reapportion legislative districts.

The 1987 Constitution provides that a city or a province with a population of at least 250,000 shall have at least one representative in Congress and within three years following the return of every census, the Congress shall make reapportionment of legislative districts based on the standards set by the Charter.

Dalipe, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, noted that based on the 2015 census, the second district of Zamboanga City comprised of 61 barangays has a total population of 459,205.

“It is for this reason that the need to have an additional representation has to be addressed through the reapportionment of the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts,” Dalipe said.

“Once passed into law, the additional district will provide access and at the same time, improve the delivery of government services and implementation of programs, projects and activities for the Zamboangueños,” he added.

Dalipe filed House Bill 4979 seeking to reapportion the second district of Zamboanga City into two legislative districts.

Under the bill, the Second Legislative District of Zamboanga City shall be composed of 20 barangays—Baliwasan, Camino Nuevo, Canelar, Guiwan, Kampung Islam, Kasangyangan, Mariki, Rio Hondo, San Jose Cawa-Cawa, San Jose Gusu, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Sto. Nino, Talon-Talon, Tetuan, Tugbungan, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 and Zone 4.

While,  the Third  Legislative District shall be composed of 55 barangays—Arena Blanco, Boalan, Bolong, Buenavista, Bunguiao, Busay, Cabaluay, Cacao, Calabasa, Culianan, Curuan, Dita, Divisoria, Dulian (U.B.), Guisao, Lamisahan, Landang Gua, Landang Laum, Lanzones, Lapakan, Latuan, Licomo, Limaong, Lubigan, Lumayang, Lumbangan, Lunzuran, Mampang, Manalipa, Mangusu, Manicahan, Mercedes, Muti, Pangapuyan, Panubigan, Pasilmanta, Pasobolong, Putik, Quiniput, Salaan, Sangali, Sibulao, Tagasilay, Taguiti, Talabaan, Taluksangay, Tictapul, Tigbalabag, Tigtabon, Tolosa, Tumalutab, Tumitus, Victoria, Vitali and Zambowood.

House Bill 4979 provides that the incumbent Representative of the second legislative district of Zamboanga City shall continue to represent the legislative district until the new representative of the Second and Third Legislative districts shall have been elected and qualified in the next congressional elections.

The measure tasks the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/24/zambo-city-congressman-wants-to-split-district-to-two/