Law splitting Bataan into 3 districts signed

BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines — President Duterte has signed a law creating another legislative district in this province.

Republic Act 11553, which reapportioned Bataan into three legislative districts, was signed on Thursday, the provincial government announced on Friday.

Bataan second district Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia is the principal author of the measure.

Hermosa, Orani, Samal and Abucay towns will comprise the first district; Balanga City, Orion, Pilar and Limay (second district), and Mariveles, Bagac, Dinalupihan and Morong (third district).

Bataan is currently divided into two districts.

The first district is composed of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay and Morong. Balanga City, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles and Bagac comprise the second district.

Voters in the new district will elect their representative starting in next year’s polls.

“Sa pagkakaroon ng ikatlong distrito, madaragdagan ang alokasyon ng pondo para sa mga proyekto at serbisyo ng ating lalawigan,” Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia said.

Senate committee on local government chairman Sen. Francis Tolentino said the additional district would ensure a more effective delivery of public services in the province.