By Mae Singuay

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Local Government is yet to schedule a hearing in relation to House Bill (HB) 297, dividing Bacolod City into two legislative districts.

Lone district congressman, Greg Gasataya said there would supposedly be a scheduled hearing for the bill.

However, due to the appointment of Rex Gatchalian as Social Welfare Secretary, the bill is now pending in the committee, he said.

Gatchalian was the former representative in the first district of Valenzuela City and chair of the Committee on Local Government.

Gasataya explained that once the Congress has elected the new local government committee chair, he will immediately schedule it for a hearing.

The lawmaker hopes that the said bill will be passed before the 2025 midterm elections.

Part of HB 297 states that Bacolod City should have two legislative districts.

First Legislative District will comprise barangays 1 to 31, 33, 41, Alangilan, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Mandalagan, Monte Vista, Villamonte, and Vista Alegre.

While barangays 32, 34 to 40, Alijis, Cabug, Felisa, Handumanan, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang, Sum-ag, Taculing, and Tangub will comprise the Second Legislative District.

As per the 2020 census, this city has a population of 600,783.

Gasataya said the apportionment of the city’s lone district into two legislative districts has become a matter of necessity.

“It is to ensure that efficient and effective public service is rendered to the whole populace of Bacolod, and that the city receives its fair share of the national government resources,” he claimed./MS, WDJ