Senate passes bill on splitting Rizal's second district

The Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading the bill seeking to divide the second district of Rizal into three legislative districts.

Senators unanimously approved House Bill No. 6222 dividing Rizal's second district into three legislative districts, with the towns of Cardona, Baras, Tanay, Morong, Jala-Jala, Pililla, and Teresa retained in the second legislative district.

Under the measure, San Mateo and Montalban will be the third and fourth congressional districts of the province, respectively.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Committee on Local Government and sponsor of the bill, said the measure could help local government "to better respond to the needs of the people and also help facilitate in the long-term rehabilitation and the capacity building efforts of the province following this pandemic."

"The call for apportionment is not only based on today's realities but also a resounding echo from the past, recognizing the unique histories of the towns which have molded and shaped the growth and character of the localities and the residents therein," Tolentino added.

Tolentino noted the qualifications for the reapportionment have been met given that the new second district has a population of 449,103; the third district has a population of 252,527; and the fourth district has a population of 369,222.

Citing the Constitution, he said each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory and a locality with at least 250,000 residents is entitled to one representative in the House of Representatives.

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/2/1/senate-passes-bill-splitting-rizal-second-district.html