MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday passed on third and final reading bills creating new legislative districts in Caloocan City and Bulacan.
The chamber passed House Bill No. 7700, which seeks to divide the first district of Caloocan City into two legislative districts.
Under the bill, the first legislative district will be composed of Barangays 1 to 4, Barangays 77 to 86 and Barangays 132 to 177.
Meanwhile, Barangays 178 to 188 will be the city’s third legislative district.
The Senate also approved House Bill No. 6867, which reapportions the province of Bulacan into six legislative districts.
Under the measure, each legislative district of Bulacan will be composed of the following:
First legislative district:
• Calumpit
• Hagonoy
• Paombong
• Pulilan
• Bulakan
• City of Malolos
Second legislative district:
• Baliuag
• Bustos
• Plaridel
Third legislative district:
• San Ildefonso
• San Miguel
• San Rafael
• Dona Remedios Trinidad
Four legislative districts:
• Obando
• Marilao
• City of Meycauayan
Fifth legislative district
• Guiguinto
• Balagtas
• Pandi
• Bocaue
Sixth legislative district
• Sta. Maria
• Norzagaray
• Angat
Senator Francis Tolentino, who sponsored the bills as chairman of the Senate local government committee, welcomed the measures’ approval.
“I share the joy of the people of Caloocan. They will finally have a stronger and firmer voice in Congress with their additional representation,” he said.
“This will likewise ensure highly-empowered local governance that is more capable of meeting the various needs of Caloocan City given that it is the fourth most populous city in the country and the third in the National Capital Region,” he added.
Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva, who hails from Bulacan, said the measure splitting the province into six legislative districts would help balance the needs of urban and rural residents “so that every Bulakenyo can come together to work, learn, play, and relate with one another with dignity and respect.”
The province’s reapportionment will aid in the equitable growth and better representation of the 3.3 million Filipinos residing in the 21 municipalities, three cities, and 569 barangays in the province.
“Through the reapportionment of Bulacan, I am certain that the portal going in and out of our beloved province will be wider for the seeds and fruits of progress,” Villanueva added.