Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Lower House splits into four one of Luzon's most populous barangays
by Ben Rosario
San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes on Wednesday, Feb. 2 lauded Congress for its passage of one of the more important measures that would benefit residents of the city’s largest and most populated barangay.
On Monday, the House of Representatives concurred with the Senate amendments to House Bill 6866 that would divide Barangay Muzon into four separate and distinct barangays to be known as Barangays Muzon Proper, Muzon East, Muzon West, and Muzon South.
Robes, chairperson of the House Committee on Peoples Participation, said Barangay Muzon has at least 100,000 residents and its population continues to grow.
She said dividing it into four barangays will improve the delivery of services to its residents.
“Splitting the barangay will not alter its administrative status. This will improve the delivery of social services and effectively managing resources for the general welfare of the whole constituency of the city,” Robes said.
The division will be subject to a plebiscite conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) which shall be held within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Act. The expenses of the plebiscite will be shouldered by the city government of San Jose Del Monte.
The first set of officials of the new barangays shall be elected in a special election supervised by Comelec not later than ninety (90) days from approval by a majority of votes cast in the plebiscite. The current set of officials will continue to hold office until a new set of officials will have been elected.
The approved bill also states that all existing public infrastructure and facilities will be transferred to the new barangays. They shall be also be entitled to Internal Revenue Allotment shares pursuant to Section 285 of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines.
Senate, House agree on bill dividing most populous village in San Jose Del Monte
The House of Representatives concurred on Tuesday with the Senate amendments of a bill proposing to divide Barangay Muzon, the biggest village in San Jose Del Monte City, into four.
The new barangays will be called Muzon Proper, Muzon East, Muzon West, and Muzon South, according to San Jose Del Monte Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes, the principal author of House Bill 5855.
Barangay Muzon is considered the most populous barangay in San Jose Del Monte with more than 100,000 residents, she said.
“Splitting the barangay will not alter its administrative status. This will improve the delivery of social services and effectively manage resources for the general welfare of the whole constituency of the city,” Robes explained in a statement.
The division will be subject to a plebiscite to be conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) within 90 days once the bill becomes. Expenses for the plebiscite will then be shouldered by the city government.
The first set of officials of the new barangays will be chosen in a special election also supervised by Comelec within 90 days after the bill becomes a law.
Meanwhile, the current set of officials will continue to hold office until the new officials have been elected.