Puentevella: Requirements for redistricting should be met
BACOLOD CITY – Lone District Rep. Monico O. Puentevella welcomes the move of the Sangguniang Panglungsod to divide the city into two congressional districts but he said the requirements should be complied.
He hopes that the proponents of the redistricting of Bacolod City will have time to comply with the requirements of the law.
Earlier, Councilors Alex Paglomutan and Al Victor Espino went to the House of Representatives to submit the council's resolution and documents necessary for the proposed redistricting of Bacolod City.
They have asked the assistance of Negros Occidental 4th district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer and 5th District Rep. Ignacio T. Arroyo to have the proposal get into the House Committee on Local Governments chaired by Rep. George Arnaiz.
Ferrer, being a member of the House Committee on Local Governments, said he is willing to assist the city council on their plan but he believes that it would be best if Cong. Puentevella will work on it being the representative of the City of Bacolod.
Ferrer has seen the advantage if Cong. Puentevella will officially endorse the proposal before the House of Representatives instead of him or Cong. Arroyo who belonged to different districts outside of the Lone District of Bacolod.
Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson cited the advantages of dividing the political territorial subdivision of Bacolod into two congressional districts.
He said with the redistricting the city of Bacolod will have two voices in the Lower House instead of one. Two congressmen will be working for the development of Bacolod City especially in inviting investors to come to the city, he said.
He added, the city will also double their share of the countryside development fund (CDF), ensuring more developments and the enhancement of the delivery of basic services.
"The smaller the congressional district, the easier to manage. It will be a healthier competition between the two congressmen if ever it happens," he said.
On his part, Ferrer observed that dividing the city into two districts is beneficial to the city as it would mean additional budget for the projects in Bacolod.