With 202 affirmative and 0 negative votes, a bill proposing to re-apportion Bataan into three legislative districts has been approved by the House of Representatives.
Authored by Bataan Rep. Jose S. Enrique Garcia III, House Bill 8664 proposes to add one legislative district to the two existing congressional areas that divides the province. The measure was approved on final reading on Tuesday.
Endorsed by the House Committee on Local Government for passage into law, HB 8664 assigns the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Morong, Samal and Abucay under the First Legislative District.
The first district of Bataan is currently represented in the Lower House by Rep. Geraldine B. Roman.
Capital city Balanga and neighboring Orion and Pilar will comprise District II, currently under Garcia.
The third legislative district will be composed of the towns of Bagac Limay and Mariveles.
Under the bill Garcia and Roman will continue to hold their respective offices until the expiration of their term as representatives.
The Commission on Elections is directed to conduct a plebiscite within 60 days upon approval of the measure into law.