Bataan may soon be represented by three legislators in Congress after senators approved the bill that would add a new and third legislative district in the province.

As the Senate resumed its session after a two-month break on Monday, May 17, a total of 22 senators voted to pass on final reading House Bill (HB) No. 8664, which would reapportion Bataan into three legislative districts. The province currently has only two districts. 

No other senator voted against the bill or abstained from the vote.

The House already approved HB 8664 last February 16. This means the measure can now be transmitted to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

If passed into law, HB 8664 would divide Bataan into three legislative districts composed of the following:

1st District:

• Hermosa
• Orani
• Samal
• Abucay

2nd District

• Balanga City
• Orion
• Pilar
• Limay

3rd District

• Bagac
• Mariveles
• Morong
• Dinalupihan

The congressional representative for Bataan’s 3rd District would be elected for the first time during the 2022 elections.

Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the Senate committee on local government, said that adding a new district in Bataan would help boost development in the province. 

“The additional district ensures a more effective delivery of unparalleled public services and the Bataan electorate can look forward to a more responsive governance of its elected representatives,” said Tolentino in a brief speech after the passage of HB 8664. – Rappler.com

Editor’s note: The initial version of this story indicated the proposed division of the legislative districts of Bataan as stated in the version passed by the House of Representatives. The story has been updated to reflect the amendments proposed and approved by the Senate.