Two congressional districts good for the city, says Neda exec
An economic planner in the region believes the House Bill 4256, a bill Reapportioning Iloilo City into two districts, would be beneficial to the city in terms of economic development and infrastructure projects.
National Economic Development Authority (Neda) OIC assistant regional director Atty. Raul Anlocotan said, with two congressmen the city could get more infrastructure projects coming from their pork barrel.
House Bill 4256 sponsored by Iloilo City Representative Raul Gonzalez, Jr was already approved by the House of Representatives. The House Bill was forwarded for the deliberation at the Senate.
In the bill, there are two congressional districts, which follows that there will be two congressmen but one mayor. There would be additional members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod from eight to 16 members. The Iloilo River will serve as demarcation line between the two congressional districts.
The first the congressional district will cover the districts of Mandurriao, Jaro, Lapaz and Lapuz. On the other hand, the districts of City Proper, Molo and Arevalo covers the second congressional district.
Anlocotan said there are infrastructure projects that needs the support of the national government. He said, though there is a political implication in the redistricting of the city, it is still beneficial to the people. It is still part of the political exercise in the country, he said.
Anlocotan cited that there are already other cities in the country that are represented by two or more congressmen. The P250,000 allowances given to each solon is an added expense to the national government, however, it is better that the solons from the city will also get such allowances, said Anlocotan.