The bill seeking to create a second congressional district for Bacolod City is not dead, it is still pending before the House Committee on Local Government, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) said on Thursday, Dec. 28.
Alvarez, who chairs the House Committee on Local Government, said “the bill is still pending with the committee. It is not a dead bill, we are just waiting for the opinions of the agencies involved.”
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya filed House Bill 297 in July last year which seeking to create a second legislative district for Bacolod by apportioning the 61 barangays comprising the city’s Lone District.
There has been no discussion on the second district not pushing through because of lack of funds, with numerous other LGU also other areas also seeking the creation of new districts, Alvarez said.
She said the redistricting bill has not been taken up yet because Congress’ focus has been on the 2024 national budget.
The schedule of the hearing on the bill next year has yet to be set, Alvarez said.*