Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no1627

Introduced by HON. USTADZ YUSOP T. ALANO of the Lone District of Basilan

AN ACT REAPPORTIONING THE LONE DISTRICT OF BASILAN
‘THEREBY CREATING THE FIRST (15') AND SECOND (2%) LEGISLATIVE
DISTRICTS OF BASILAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution mandates that “each city with a population of at least two
hundred fifty thousand (250,000), or each province shall have at least one representative”
(Article VI, Section 5, Paragraph 3). This provision establishes the foundational principle
that legislative representation must be commensurate with population size to ensure

equitable participation in national governance.

As of the 2020 Census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the
Province of Basilan, including the City of Isabela, recorded a population of 556,586.
Notably, Basilan was identified as the fastest-growing province in the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with an annual population growth
rate of 4.45 percent from 2015 to 2020. Based on this trend and factoring in the
population of Isabela City, the total population of the province is projected to exceed

600,000 upon official declaration of the 2024 Census.


At present, the entire Province of Basilan, including Isabela City, is represented by
a Lone Congressional District Representative. With a rapidly growing population and
increasing developmental needs, it has become evident that a single representative can
no longer adequately and equitably serve the legislative and constituent concerns of the

entire province.

This bill therefore seeks to reapportion the existing lone legislative district of
Basilan into two separate and distinct legislative districts. The proposed
reapportionment aims not only to comply with constitutional standards but also to
enhance the delivery of public services, improve access to national resources, and

ensure more responsive representation in the House of Representatives.

By creating a first and second legislative district, the people of Basilan will be
afforded greater and more effective participation in national policymaking and a fairer
share in the formulation of laws and programs that directly affect their welfare and
development. Moreover, this reapportionment addresses the imbalance in
representation between the First and Second Provincial Districts, particularly in light of
Basilan’s recent reclassification as a first-class province and the resulting allocation of

two additional Sangguniang Panlalawigan seats to the Second Provincial District.

Abill of a similar nature was filed during the 18" and 19" Congress. In view of the

foregoing, the immediate passage of this Cc
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—_

HON. USTADZ YUSOP T. ALANO
Representative
Lone District of Basilan

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Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1627

Introduced by HON. USTADZ YUSOP T. ALANO of the Lone District of Basilan

AN ACT REAPPORTIONING THE LONE DISTRICT OF BASILAN
THEREBY CREATING THE FIRST (15) AND SECOND (2%?) LEGISLATIVE
DISTRICTS OF BASILAN

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

SECTION 1. Reapportioning of the Lone Legislative District — The Lone Legislative
District of the Province of Basilan is hereby reapportioned in order to create the Two (2)
Legislative Districts of the Province of Basilan to commence in the next national and local

elections after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 2. Composition of new Districts - The legislative districts of the Province of

Basilan shall now be composed of the following:

a. First Legislative District - The First Legislative District shall be composed of the
following:
1. ISABELA CITY;
2. LANTAWAN MUNICIPALITY;

3. MALUSO MUNICIPALITY;


4, HADJI MUHTAMAD MUNICIPALITY; and

5. TABUAN-LASA MUNICIPALITY

b. Second Legislative District — the Second Legislative District shall be composed of
the following:
1. LAMITAN CITY;
2. AKBAR MUNICIPALITY;
3. HADJI MOHAMMAD AJUL MUNICIPALITY;
4, TIPO-TIPO MUNICIPALLITY;
5. TUBURAN MUNICIPALITY;
6. UNGKAYA PUKAN MUNICIPALITY;
7. SUMISIP MUNICIPALITY; and

8. AL-BARKA MUNICIPALITY

SECTION 3. Election of Representatives - The Election of Representatives of the
reapportioned districts of the Province of Basilan under this Act shall take place during the

next elections after the effectivity of this Act and every national and local elections thereafter.

SECTION 4. Holdover. - The incumbent Representative of the present Lone
Legislative District of the Province of Basilan shall continue to represent and serve the said
district until the new Representatives for the two (2) districts shall have been elected and

qualified.

SECTION 5. Sangguniang Panlalawigan — In accordance with the reapportionment
mandated by this Act, there shall be elected five (5) Sangguniang Panlalawigan members in
‘each provincial district in the next elections after the effectivity of this Act and every national

and local elections thereafter.


SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Commission on Elections
shall issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the Implementation of this

Act within 30 days after its effectivity.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause — All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with this

Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,