2 Cebu lawmakers eye 2-3 more districts

CEBU CITY, Philippines - The latest National Statistics Office (NSO) census showed that Cebu Province should now have 11 congressional districts instead of just six, said Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district). NSO’s August 2007 census showed that the entire Cebu Province, including the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, has a total population of 3.85 million. Speaking before the Tapok-Tapok Media Forum yesterday, Garcia said that if the population of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu will be included, Cebu province’s population would reach more than 2.8 million. And if the Constitutional formula for the creation of a legislative district is followed—which provides a population requirement of 250,000—he said there should be at least 11 congressional districts for Cebu province. He suggested that the seven other Cebu members of the House of Representatives each file a bill seeking the creation of more districts to let their constituents know that they are united in this effort. Aside from Pablo John, Cebu province has five other representatives in Congress. They are Reps. Eduardo R. Gullas (Cebu, 1st), Pablo Garcia (Cebu, 2nd), Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th), Ramon “Red" Durano VI (5th district) and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu, 6th). “Cebu is so under-represented. Alkanse na kaayo ta sa ubang probinsiya (We are worse off compared to other provinces) in terms of representation. We should have four or five more," Pablo John said. He added that each congressional district in the country is entitled to a Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel of P70 million a year, or P210 million during for each legislator’s three-year term. “We are losing a lot in terms of development funds," Pablo John said. The congressman added that if Cebu Province will have four additional districts and Cebu City, which currently has two districts, will have one more, Cebu could have 13 representatives in Congress. “That’s a substantial block in Congress. That will be an influential block in Congress. Cebu will be assured of more legislative support from the National Government because we have a bigger block of congressmen," Pablo John said. His father, Pablo agreed with the need for Cebu lawmakers to push for an increase of Cebu’s representation in Congress. Pablo suggested that his daughter Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia sit down with all Cebuano legislators to tackle this matter. “We have to preserve a united front," the former governor told reporters yesterday, saying that Cebu has been underrepresented in Congress for quite some time. Cebu, including the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, should have at least nine to 10 districts, he said. The first district, he said, can spawn another representative. The cities of Talisay and Naga, as well as the municipality of Minglanilla are too populated already, he said. He also suggested that the second district, which has 15 municipalities, be divided into two new districts. He said Pablo John is also thinking of creating another congressional district from his own district, which is composed of six towns and a city. Barili, Pinamungajan, Aloguinsan and Toledo City can have one representative, while the municipalities of Balamban, Asturias, Tuburan and Tabuelan—which are currently covered by the fourth district—can have another representative. The cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue are also already entitled to one district representative each, he said. But both lawmakers do not agree that the creation of congressional districts will bring division. Pablo John, when sought for reaction, said the move is contrary to Sugbuak bills, which proposed the creation of three Cebu provinces. He said his position is not to divide Cebu into several provinces but just to add more congressional districts. “What we are changing here is only the reapportionment of districts around the province, and we would still be one province. You cannot compare that to Sugbuak," he said. Pablo also believes the creation of more provinces or towns will not answer Cebu’s lack of representation in Congress. “It would be more difficult, Cebu or the towns don’t need to be subdivided," he told reporters. The creation of more cities is also not viable. Pablo said the League of Cities of the Philippines has already complained against this since it has adversely affected their Internal Revenue Allotment. Since the income requirement for cities was increased, there are also some municipalities that may not be able to achieve their bids of becoming cities. - Sun.Star Cebu