SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
ifB
o l I'lr  s iiT ir ln r y
'17 MAY 31 A 9:26
RECEIVED BV;
SENATE
S.B. No. 1487
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT SEPARATING THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS FROM THE 
FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO 
TO CONSTITUTE THE LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF 
GENERAL SANTOS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article VI, Section 5, paragraph 3, of the 1987 Constitution provides 
that, “Each legislative district shall comprise as far as practicable, continuous, 
compact and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two 
hundred 
fifty 
thousand, 
or each 
province, 
shall 
have 
at least one 
representative.”
The Province of South Cotabato under Region XII is divided into three (3) 
legislative districts.
The first district of South Cotabato constitutes the city of General Santos 
and municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi, and Tampakan.
Based on the latest 2015 Census of Population and Housing, General 
Santos City, which is part of the First District of South Cotabato, has a total 
population of v594,000, with an average population growth rate of 1.91% from 
2010 to 2015.
The same report shows that the municipality of Polomolok, also part of 
the First District, has increased its population from 138,273 in 2010 to 
152,789 in 2015, with an average annual growth rate of 1.92%. Likewise, the 
municipality of Tupi has also increased its population from 61,843 in 2010 to 
69,976 in 2015. The municipality of Tampakan similarly increased in term s of 
population from 36,254 in 2010 to 39,525 in 2015.


In accordance with the Constitutional provision on legislative districts 
and the principle of proper democratic representation, it is fitting to create a 
legislative district for the City of General Santos, the sole highly urbanized city 
in SOCCSKSARGEN, and grant the same with a voice in the Philippine 
Congress.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage 
sought.
bill is earnestly
EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
Senator


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
‘17 MAY 31 
A 9 26
RtCtU/f D BV.
SENATE
1487
S.B. No.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT SEPARATING THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS FROM THE 
FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO 
TO CONSTITUTE THE LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF 
GENERAL SANTOS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Lone Legislative District. —  The City of General Santos is hereby 
separated from the First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato 
to constitute the Lone Legislative District of the City of General Santos, which 
shall commence in the next national and local elections after the effectivity of 
this Act.
SEC. 2. Rules and Regulations. -  The Commission on Elections shall issue the 
necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within thirty (30) days 
after its effectivity.
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. 
-  All laws, rules and regulations which arc 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 4. Effectivity. 
-  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,