Gonzalez: Dividing city into two districts to spur economic dev't
Iloilo City Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. insisted that dividing the city into two districts would spur economic development as it would result to an additional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) which could be used for infrastructure and other development projects.
Gonzalez filed House Bill 3672 last week which proposes the amendment of the 1936 Charter of Iloilo City which will allow the creation of two congressional districts.
He said, under the proposal there would only be one mayor but an additional members of the legislative body.
He said members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod would increase from eight to 16 members.The districts of Mandurriao, Jaro, and Lapaz would comprise the first district while the districts of City Proper, Molo and Arevalo will comprise the second congressional district, said Gonzalez.
He said the proposal has met the requirements in terms of income and population. Presently, the city's financial center is centered in the City Proper. However, with the entry of Megaworld Corporation in the district of Mandurriao, the district is deemed as the next "center of economic development" in the city, said Gonzalez.
The solon explained there is no need for the conduct of a plebiscite as he only calls for the amendment of certain section of the city's Charter. The city's Charter was designed in 1936 and the city has to meet the changing times and adapt new challenges, he said.
In his explanatory note in the proposed bill, Gonzalez cited that the "the city has to meet the challenges in order to become a premiere city in 2015." The additional PDAF will bring more infrastructure projects to the city and better delivery of basic services, he said.
Gonzalez said he is confident that the proposed bill would be approved by the House of Representative this year. However, it will depend on the members of the Senate to act on the bill before 2010. He said, there is no assurance that once the bill gets into the Senate it will be approved.
When asked on whether the bill was meant for political accommodation, Gonzalez said everything remains "speculative" not until the bill is approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. Though, he admitted the approval of the bill will bring harmony among the members of the administration Lakas party.
In earlier interview, Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, the solon's mother, confirmed that they want her son to finish his third term as congressman of the city. She also said Mayor Jerry Treñas assured them that he will not run against Raul Jr. The mayor is not available for comment.
Treñas will be ending his term as mayor in 2010 and is rumored to run for congressman. Congressman Gonzalez, on the other hand, has one term left and is expected to vie for reelection.