A resolution requesting the House of Representatives to consider the possibility of dividing the political territorial subdivision of Bacolod City into two congressional seats or districts was passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.

Proposed by Councilors Alex Paglumotan, Dindo Ramos, Al Victor Espino, Homer Bais, Greg Gasataya and Roberto Rojas, the resolution said Bacolod City, as a highly urbanized city, is one of the biggest political territory outside Metro Manila with a population of about half a million and with a voting population of 289,000 based on the 2007 records of the COMELEC.

Paglumotan said Zamboanga has a population of only 300,000 but it has two congressional seats.

“This is not for political reasons because I have no intention to run for congressman,” he said. He said he believes having two congressional seats in the House of Representatives would be advantageous to Bacolod City and to the best interest of its constituents.

Paglumotan said this would mean having a bigger budget for the city for the enhancement of public service and the delivery of basic services.

The resolution asked the House of Representatives through its appropriate committees to consider a possible study or evaluation of the status of Bacolod City as having two congressional seats in the House.

Copies of the resolution will be furnished the Secretary of the House of Representatives and newly-installed House Speaker Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles.

The SP also passed a resolution requiring the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council to submit to the Office of the Mayor and the City Agriculture Office its comprehensive program, as a recommendatory body to the city government.

It also passed a resolution strongly supporting the move of the national government in phasing out incandescent bulbs to cut greenhouse gas emissions and save on electricity by encouraging all households and establishments in Bacolod City to avoid or reduce the use of these bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps.

The resolution, authored by Councilors Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and Wilson Gamboa Jr., also requests the national government, through President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, to integrate Bacolod City in the programs and projects undertaken by the Asian Development Bank loan to help fund a range of program on energy efficiency.

This includes pilot programs that could be continued as long-term development projects and the provision of compact fluorescent lamps to low-income families to mitigate the impact of the change from incandescent lighting.*CGS

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