Senate set to approve Nueva Camarines bill

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate has put into its calendar the approval on third reading of the measure creating the new province of Nueva Camarines from the present Camarines Sur.

The bill was the subject of heated debates and lobbying during the months prior to the Senate recess last February.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the measure is among over 30 bills that will be passed by the Senate on third reading during the resumption of session on June 5. 

As chairman of the Senate committee on local governments, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will present the measure before the plenary for approval.

Once approved on third reading, the Senate and House of Representatives must ratify the measure. 

If they fail do to so, the measure will go back to step one which starts from the re-filing of the bill during the 16th Congress and public hearings before approval.

As proposed, Nueva Camarines will cover Iriga City, and the municipalities of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Nabua, Presentacion, Sagnay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon, and Tinambac.

Under the measure, the capital town and seat of government will be Tigaon town, although a satellite seat of government may be established in Iriga City or in any town in the first legislative district of Nueva Camarines.  

The new province will have two legislative districts: the first comprising Iriga, and the towns of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, and Nabua; and the second, the towns of Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Presentation, Sagnay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon, and Tinambac.