Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
537

Introduced by: REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that
"Congress shall make a reapportionment of legislative districts based on the
standards fixed in this section". These constitutional standards, as far as
population is concerned are:

(1) proportional representation; (2) minimum population of 250,000 per
legislative district; (3) progressive ratio in the increase of legislative districts as
the population base increases; and (4) uniformity in apportionment of legislative
districts in provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area. Said provision
for the creation of legislative districts can be logically interpreted that the
Constitution wanted to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of public service
to the community.

Based on the 2015 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) posted
by the Philippine Statistics Authority in its website (www.psa.gov.ph), Bacolod
City posted a total population of 561,875 persons as of August 1, 2015.
Despite the increase in its population and being a highly urbanized city in
the province of Negros Occidental, Bacolod City still has only one legislative
district.

This bill if favorably approved by Congress, will constitute Bacolod City
into two (2) legislative districts in accordance with Sec. 5 of Article VI of the
1987 Philippine Constitution. It has been filed previously in the preceding Congress,
however due to time constraints, it was not acted upon both by the Senate and the
House of Representatives.

Hence, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

JOSE IN S. PADUANO


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__537

Introduced by Rep. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO.

AN ACT
REAPPORTIONING THE LONE DISTRICT AND THE SANGGUNIANG
PANLUNGSOD SEATS OF THE CITY OF BACOLOD.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Legislative Districts and Sangguniang Panlungsod Seats. -
The City of Bacolod shall have two (2) legislative districts to commence in the
next national elections after the effectivity of this Act. Henceforth, Barangays 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30,
31, 33, 41, Alangilan, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, Monte
Vista, Villamonte and Vista Alegre shall comprise the First Legislative
District, while
Barangays 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, Alijis, Cabug, Felisa,
Handumanan, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punia Taytay, Singcang, Sum-ag, Taculing
and Tangub ‘shall comprise the Second Legislative District.

There shall be eight (8) regular Sangguniang Panlungsod members in
each district who shall be elected in the district where they reside.

SEC. 2. Incumbent Representative and Sangguniang Panlungsod Members.
- The incumbent Representative and Sangguniang Panlungsod members of the City
of Bacolod shall continue to hold office until the new Representative and
Sangguniang Panlungsod members of the City shall have been elected and qualified.

SEC. 3. Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on elections shall issue
the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 8553 and all other laws, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are herby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC.4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,