WHY NOT? Baguio City has 20 “constituent barangay districts” (CBDs), Calbayog has 3, Davao City is 11, Iloilo City is 8, Samal has 3, and Sorsogon City is 2, while Metro Manila local government units organize their barangays into numbered zones or districts: Caloocan has zones 1-16, Manila is 1-100, and Pasay is 1-20. On the other hand, Quezon City is divided into six legislative districts, in turn subdivided in a total of 142 barangays, each CBD is represented by six district councilors. These barangay names contain the words “district” or “zones” but they are fully functioning barangays and are not just mere administrative categories.
Angeles City is among the 33 highly urbanized cities (HUC) in the Philippines not under the jurisdiction of a province. This city became a first class HUC on October 13, 1986 with a total land area of 60.3 square kilometers. Thus it is autonomously governed and does not share tax revenues to the provincial government of Pampanga and residents are not eligible to elect or be elected to provincial offices. The city is divided into 33 barangays over which the City Mayor exercises supervisory authority and it has the Sangguniang Panlungsod as the legislative body.
Based on the 2019 Comelec records there are 198,777 registered voters. If and when this proposed model is enacted into law, the Mayor and Vice Mayor are still elected by popular vote or at large while the SP members are voted by districts. The “constituent barangay districts” or (CBDs) can be divided into three or more territory-based geographic districts (11 barangays per district, more or less) that encompass only portions of the city and SP members are called district councilors to compose the 10-member (or more) chamber depending on the implementing rules and regulations of the enabling law.
Let me cite some of the advantages of this political structure. It increases opportunities for representation when barangays are geographically concentrated, clustered or districted; Lessens the amount of time, manpower and expenditures from the filing of certificate of candidacy to pre-campaign period, campaign proper and election day; Provide voters with strong constituency representation because each voter has a single or multiple, easily identifiable district councilor/s in the Sangguniang Panlungsod; Maximize accountability because the district councilor can be held responsible and can be re-elected or defeated in the next election; and Ensures genuine representation. Based on the current membership of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, out of 10, three or four city councilors come from the same vote-rich barangay. The strengths of “constituent barangay districts” or (CBDs) rest in the close and strong ties between the councilors and constituents, the accountability of the councilors to the voters and constituency service. Because these geographically districted “constituent barangays” will be used in conjunction with plurality or majority voting rules, they are also said to foster strong and stable governments.
Aside from providing equal opportunity or chance to serve the people, it could introduce new faces but with potentials in public service and levels the playing field for some barangay officials who had or will aspire for a CBD seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod with the likes of Jerry Alejandrino – Pandan, Tony Mamac -Balibago, Rey Gueco – Malabanias, Robin or Cecil Nepomuceno – Cutcut, Alma Dizon Mercado – Tabun, Gloria Salas-Tanhueco – Pulung Bulu, Rey Malig or Teresita Larcina – Salapungan, Cris Cortez – Mining, Dan Nacu – Sta. Trinidad, Harry Castro – San Jose, Oliver Chance – Sto. Domingo, Baby Sigua or Lito Indiongco – Cutcut, Beth Pallasigue – Cutud, Lorna Narciso – Pulung Bulu, Joana Joy Flores – Sto. Rosario, Leo or Carlota Kintanar – Pulung Maragul, Berong Malonzo – Agapito Del Rosario, Anne Feliciano – Lourdes Sur, Noel Nuqui – Lourdes Sur East, Harvey Santiago – Claro M. Recto, Sis Mher Melo – Pulung Cacutud, Clarita Nogoy – Margot, Jack Agapito – Anunas, Reynaldo David Jr. – Pampang, Bhot Ponce – Balibago, Manuel Luis Duenas or Yong Asistin – San Nicolas, Pampang Market over-all president Tess Maniacup, civic leaders and professionals Atty. Romeo Yusi Jr., Fernan Panlilio, Caloy Basilio, Dr. Butch Henson, Veejay Tanglao, Joselito “Joey” Bautista, Atty Edgar Ocampo, Atty. Noel Flores, Atty. Nino Angeles, purok leaders, public school teachers, religious leaders, homeowner association officers and other sectoral leaders.
One of the most emerging public figures in the city today is Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel who has obviously manifested the “reliability and visibility” attributes of a public servant, both elected or appointed. She has a lot on her plate and has been around the city for educational support, relief operations, senior citizens care, health services, urban gardening and animal welfare.
Once this landmark political structure in Angeles City is unanimously prioritized and supported by City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin and brother Congressman Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin, it engraves a lasting collaborated legacy that is morale, altruistic, and participative for the greater needs and concerns of the Angelenos. Congress and the Sangguniang Panglungsod are the legislative bodies that can create, merge, abolish or substantially alter the boundaries of the LGU through a law or ordinance, all subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the local government unit directly affected. The Local Government Code has also set requisites for such creation.
The COVID19 pandemic is a test and proof of leadership to the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to be more visible and proactive in these trying times.