Statement of Rep. Maria Isabelle G. Climaco on the proposed creation of the 3rd Congressional District in Zamboanga City.

Statement of Rep. Maria Isabelle G. Climaco on the proposed creation of the 3rd Congressional District in Zamboanga City.

Today, the 27th day of April, I had to make an important decision to manifest the aspiration of our City in the House of Representatives, for the proposed creation of the 3rd legislative District of Zamboanga City, by virtue of the 2007 Census, which puts the City’s population at 774,407, and in accordance with paragraph 3, Section 5, Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution.

Our Office initiated a series of information dissemination campaign and consultative dialogues, particularly 37 barangays of the 1st District and several from the 2nd District; information drive through print and broadcast media; distribution of materials outlining the legislative process, and the advantages of an additional legislative district.

This is backed by Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 108 dated 05 February 2009. Likewise, other resolutions were passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Zamboanga City related to the matter.

Recognizing the primordial role of District 2 Rep. Fabian in the passage of this proposal, our Office submitted a copy of the draft bill to his office on 09 February 2009.

Due to the recent developments in Congress, this representation as Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, deems it urgent to lay the aspirations of our City in Congress since other Representatives have made such manifestations.

It is my responsibility to also manifest this desire for an additional district inasmuch as we get to discuss issues of such in our committee. If others can author such bills passing our committee, I too as your representative am duty bound to aspire as well, hoping that this would also get the support, most importantly, of the Rep. of the 2nd District of Zamboanga City.

Recently last March 4, 2009, I manifested my Co-authorship of HB 6005, creating additional legislative districts in proportion to the population. Because of intervening circumstances, such as the approval of HB 6005 in the Committee level and the recent inclusion of 32 additional Party-List Representatives, this filing is of extreme urgency.

I am fully aware of the Parliamentary Courtesy, as this proposal will still pass the test of the Committee level and will await action from the Representative of the Second District of Zamboanga. If and when the consultations in the Second District culminates, it is hoped that this will yield to favorable results that would still save the moment for our City and for our Representatives to come-up with a united stand. This representation has made this decision since it is what the people expect from me when that mandate was given in 2007 to be their Representative in Congress.

It is our duty and responsibility to be our people’s voice in Congress. I thank those who gave their time to express their sentiments on the issue of the 3rd District as well as the Resolutions of support.

I act with a leap of faith para Dios, Patria y Projimo, Vaya con Dios!