Duterte splits Caloocan into 3 districts

MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan City will be divided into three districts after President Duterte signed a law creating another legislative post that will split into two the country’s most populous lone district.

Under Republic Act 11545, the first legislative district in Caloocan will be divided into two districts – the first and third districts.

The former first legislative district that will be split is the country’s most populous district, with a population of 1,193,419 based on the 2015 census.

The first legislative district will be composed of 59 villages, including Bagong Silang, the country’s biggest barangay with a population of 246,515 as of 2015.

The third legislative district will be composed of 11 barangays, from 178 to 188. Barangay 178 is the country’s 11th most populous village with a population of 107,596.

The law was filed in the House of Representatives by Caloocan First District Rep. Dale Malapitan, son of Mayor Oscar Malapitan.

According to the congressman’s bill, the old first district comprises 75 percent or 1,193,419 of the total 1,583,978 population in Caloocan as of 2015 census.

The reapportioning of the first district to first and third legislative districts will take effect next year.

The Commission on Elections will issue the implementing rules and regulations within 30 days after effectivity of the law.

Lawmakers have cited a Philippine Statistics Authority’s census showing that Caloocan had a population of 1,583,978 in 2015, which is a “significant increase” from the 645,000 as recorded in census results in 1986.