Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [En vere
Quezon City RECEIVED
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1696

Introduced by REP. PHILIP A. PICHAY

Explanatory Note

The First Congressional District of Surigao del Sur is composed of the Municipalities of
Bayabas, Cagwait, Cantilan, Carmen, Carrascal, Cortes, Lanuza, Lianga, Madrid, Marihatag, San
Agustin, San Miguel, Tago, including the provincial capital Tandag City.

‘These municipalities and city cover an aggregate area of 3,378.8 square kilometers, with
practically the entire expanse of the Diwata Mountains cutting across the whole district. One
town, San Miguel, lies at the bosom of the magnificent Diwata ranges, while the other town
centers face the seas or bays that dot the rugged coastline of the province.

This great expanse of territory, though undoubtedly a source of wealth for its people, is
ironically also a disadvantage with regard for instance to the delivery of basic social services and
accessibility to crucial government and private agencies. This unfortunate situation has
effectively resulted in the people of the First District of Surigao del Sur being underrepresented
in the law-making body of the land.

In our system of representative democracy, this is a flaw that must be corrected. Hence,
this bill seeks to create a new district, called the Third Congressional District of the Province of
Surigao del Sur, out of what forms the First Congressional District today. Specifically, the
proposed congressional district will be composed of the Municipalities of Tago, Bayabas,
Cagwait, Marihatag, San Miguel, Lianga and San Miguel. Meanwhile, the municipalities of
Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes and the City of Tandag will remain with
the First Legislative District. The Second Legislative District of Surigao del Sur will not be
affected.

Approval of this bill is eamestly sought. Ye
PHI NCHAY

IM


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. PHILIP A. PICHAY

AN ACT
CREATING ANOTHER LEGISLATIVEDISTRICT IN THE PROVINCE OF SURIGAO
DEL SUR TO BE KNOWN AS THE THIRD DISTRICT OF SURIGAO DEL SUR

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

SECTION 1. There is hereby created another legislative district in the Province of
Surigao del Sur to be known as the Third District of Surigao del Sur, which shall be composed of
the following municipalities:

Tago
Bayabas

. Cagwait
Marihatag.
San Agustin
Lianga

San Miguel

ROYER

‘TION 2. The First Legislative District of the Province of Surigao del Sur shall retain
the Municipalities of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes and the provincial
capital Tandag City; wile the Second Congressional District shall retain the Municipalities of
Barrobo, Hinatuan, Lingig, Tagbina and the City of Bislig.

SECTION 3. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect firteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,