HOUSES REPRESENTA VL

Republic of the Philippines . RECEIVED
House of Representatives .
Quezon City ave: 3.0 JUN 2018
sive: /03, 18.
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ieee
First Regular Session By Sa a
HOUSE BILLNo, 617 REGISTRATION UNIT

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 2010 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 511,820 persons as of May 1, 2010. 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 seeks to reapportion Bacolod City into two (2) legislative districts in
accordance with Sec. 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It has been filed, favorably
acted by the concerned Committee, approved by the House on Third and Final
Reading, and consequently transmitted to the Senate for its action during the 15 and
16" Congresses. It was also favorably acted by the concerned Senate Committee but
its consequent approval by the Senate was stalled by the sine die adjournments of both
Congresses.

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



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 617

AN ACT
RAPPORTIONING THE LONE DISTRICT AND 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, Granda, Mandalangan, Monte Vista,
Villamonte and Vista Alegre shall comprise the First Legislative District, while
Barangayas 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,Aljis, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan,
Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta 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 alll 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,