Brgy league backs proposed creation of two additional districts in Bohol
TAGBILARAN CITY — The proposal of Representative Aris Aumentado (2nd district of Bohol) to create two more congressional districts in Bohol has gained ground with the support of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB).
The LnB had unanimously approved a resolution urging the three congressmen of Bohol to file a bill in the House for the purpose.
Aumentado, in an exclusive interview over the weekend, said he will soon file the bill creating the additional districts, although he admitted that this should be studied well, especially on how to appropriately allocate the municipalities.
In his privilege speech on Friday at the Bohol Provincial Board, LnB president Romulo Cepedoza said it’s about time that additional districts be created because Bohol “is very well qualified in terms of population.”
Cepedoza explained to the media that Bohol, based on latest population census, now has 1.3 million people.
A congressional district of a province may be created by law if the population reaches 250,000, so with Bohol already having 1.3 million people, then it is entitled to five districts, he said.
Cepedoza said he relayed the sentiment of the barangay councils he headed following the passage of the LnB resolution, adding that two more districts for the province will benefit the Boholanos more.
This matter, which Cepedoza raised at the PB, was then referred to the committee on rules, chaired by PB Member Tomas Abapo Jr., who in turn vowed to convene the panel and tackle the proposal.
There had been attempts in the past for an additional congressional district. At the time of then representative Eladio Jala, he filed a bill in the House creating the 4th district of Bohol, but this did not prosper. Jala, a native of Loboc town, served the 3rd district as its congressman from 1998 to 2007.
Bohol now has three districts, the first of which consists of Tagbilaran City, and the towns of Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Tubigon, Balilihan, Catigbian, Antequera, Corella, Sikatuna, Baclayon, Albur, Dauis, and Panglao.
The towns in the second district are: Ubay, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, BienUnido, Trinidad, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin, San Isidro, Sagbayan, Danao, Dagohoy, and San Miguel.
Comprising the third district are: Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia-Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Mabini, Alicia, Pilar, Sierra-Bullones, Carmen, Batuan, Bilar, Sevilla, and Loboc.