Province Even with Less than 250-K Pop. Needs a Congressman

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

While writing a blog on the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos going First Class in year 2027, I stumbled on this statute:

A fifth class province should have an earning of less than P500 million a year, according to Republic Act No. 11964 or Automatic Income Classification of Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities.

Many cities in the Philippines have their own income of almost P2 billion annually each but they don't have a Congressman to represent them while a province with less than P500 million income is mandated to have one member in the House of Representatives.

WHY?

You browse the details of the requirements for a congressional apportionment as mandated by Article VI, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and you can answer my poser above:

-- A city that reaches a population of at least 250,000 is entitled to a legislative district and can elect its own representative.

-- Every province is guaranteed at least one representative, even if its population is below 250,000.

Congress is mandated to reapportion legislative districts within three years following the return of every census to ensure equitable representation based on population.