Carving congressional districts

Politicians rarely see interests beyond their own turfs. That point is truer for politicians leading local government units, even members of the House of Representatives. It’s cause is not only man’s inherent selfishness but also the kind of political setup we have. Politicians do not want to be alienated from the people who vote them into office.

Consider how congressional districts are being carved in Cebu, specifically now in the sixth congressional district of the province. The district once straddled an unbroken area from Consolacion town down to Mandaue City and Mactan island where Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova town are—until the House representative there transformed Lapu-Lapu into a lone congressional district.

That created an awkward situation for Cordova town, which remains part of the sixth congressional district without its Mactan co-inhabitant. Now comes House Bill 8511 that also seeks to convert Mandaue City into a lone congressional district. It has been approved on second reading but needs a Senate version for it to sail through Congress. Still a long way to go, but it could still come into fruition.

The move may benefit Mandauehanons, but it would further make awkward the already awkward setup in the sixth district because this would mean only Consolacion town in the mainland and Cordova town in Mactan island would compose the district. Surely, there could have been better ways of carving congressional districts than what is being done in the said district.

House Bill 8511 should make more compelling an idea floated years ago for Cordova town to become a Cebu City barangay, more so with the construction of the third Mactan bridge, or the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. It would also open up the possibility of Consolacion being absorbed by the fifth congressional district.

Perhaps lawmakers and officials of affected local government units should take a deeper look at the manner the sixth district is being divided before proceeding full speed ahead with HB 8511. They better be creative on this matter.