A bill which seeks to create the lone legislative district of Calamba City in Laguna has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading.
House Bill No. 990, sponsored by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, was approved with 19 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention.
Angara said the creation of the new legislative district of Calamba City would “focus on the needs of its constituents and bring them to the national government’s attention.”
The veteran legislator said Calamba City, a first-class city which serves as the seat of the provincial government in Laguna, “deserves to stand on its feet and to have a greater role in society.”
“In consideration of the size and continued progress of the city, it is only right that we give them proper representation in the national government,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
“In consideration of the size and continued progress of the city, it is only right that we give them proper representation in the national government.”
The senator said that under the 1987 Constitution, “each city with a population of at least 250,000 shall have at least one representative” in the House of Representatives.
“According to the latest census data in 2015, the present second legislative district of Laguna has 937,282 residents, almost half of which or 454, 486 come from Calamba City,” he added.
Angara said providing for more representatives to relay the concerns of the constituents of large and densely populated communities would allow the national government to better address their issues and problems.
“If the bill is passed, it would help the city of Calamba become more known as a rich, productive and progressive community,” he said.
“If the bill is passed, it would help the city of Calamba become more known as a rich, productive and progressive community.”
