San Fernando soon independent district

By Ben Rosario

The City of San Fernando in Pampanga is closer to becoming a lone congressional district and has its own congressional representation.

The House of Representatives passed on second reading a bill that would separate the Pampanga capital from the third legislative district of the province.

Pampanga 3rd District Representative Oscar S. Rodriguez authored House Bill 6140 which was approved on second reading recently. Third reading approval is expected before the House adjourns session next month.

HB 6140 guarantees equitable representation for the inhabitants of the City of San Fernando in the legislature and the national government.

Rodriguez, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government, lauded the passage of the measure saying the increasing population and the potential for economic growth and development of the City of San Fernando more than justifies the call for its own Representative in the Halls of Congress.

He noted that San Fernando has become among the fastest growing urban centers in the country.

Under the bill, the City of San Fernando is separated from the Third Legislative District of the Province of Pampanga to constitute the Lone Legislative District of the City of San Fernando in the next national and local elections.

The bill provides that the incumbent Representative of the Third Legislative District of the Province of Pampanga shall continue to represent the legislative district until the new representative shall have been elected and qualified.