Aklan redistricting is long overdue, says guv

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The redistricting of Aklan has been long overdue, according to Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores.

Asked for his reaction on redistricting efforts, the governor said the redistricting bill should have been passed in the Senate last year since the province of Aklan deserved additional seat in the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 112 authored by Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. is pending with the House committee on local government. 

Last June 11, the committee suspended its deliberations pending the submission of the updated endorsement from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan. 

Last week, the Aklan SP already endorsed a resolution supporting the creation of an additional district in Aklan.

“Pag daywa ro distrito, ro budget it national government magadugang man ag matatapan man ro mga banwa sa eastern district. Mabahoe kara ro implications sa development it Aklan. May minimum nga P200 million sa kada congressional district ro mga government agencies sa pagpatigayon ku anda nga mga programa,” Miraflores said over Barangay 92.9 Super Radyo Kalibo.

“Ku nagtaliwan nga dag-on, nasubuan kita kara sa pagbaeabag ni Senator Osmena. Hopefully sa dayang bill ni Congressman Haresco, it will gained approval of the Congress and the Senate,” Miraflores said. 

The governor said Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos already assured the town mayors his endorsement of support during his recent Aklan visit for the redistricting measure.

Marcos is presently the chairman of the Senate committees on local government and public works.

“Aklan province deserves to have two congressional districts. Sa mabahoe nga contribution it Aklan sa national development sa turismo, kinahaeang-an nga ibalik man it national government sa Aklan paagi sa pag-krear it daywang distrito,” the governor said.

Miraflores further appealed for the Aklanons to support the bill for the proposed reapportionment of Aklan into two congressional districts.