Zamboanga City - - In preparation for a meaningful and well drafted bill, District I Congresswoman Beng Climaco will formally launch consultations on the proposed creation of a third district for Zamboanga this week with youths and multi-sectoral groups.

“This is in positive response to the clamor for our office to draft the 3rd district bill”, the lady solon said stressing she needs genuine and meaningful consultation with different sectors to serve as the basis for the proposed bill.

The consultation will be done alongside with the forum on charter change which members of the House of Representatives are mandated to undertake in their own legislative districts.

The forum will be held 1 p.m November 7 at the Western Mindanao State University Social Hall with college students and at 5 p.m. of the same day at the ateneo de Zamboanga University with multi-sectoral groups.

“WE respect the sentiments of the Zamboanguenos”, she said stressing that the third district issue should not be a repeat of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) issue when the local residents fought for its non-inclusion due to non-consultation.

According to Climaco, the creation of the proposed 3rd district differs from the time when the 2nd district was created as it was the right time for its creation. “There was not much noise when the second district was created because it was the right time”.

She stressed that she would need the support of the local officials such as a council resolution, written outputs and recommendations from the civil society to serve as the basis for her next action.

Climaco said the consultations will include questions as to the readiness of the local residents for a third district and what are the barangays that should be included in the third district.

The congressional office, she said will come up with a question and answer primer and explain to the people the legislative process on the proposed creation “so it will be clear and understandable to the residents”.

“My challenge here is to give Zamboanga City what is due to Zamboanga—a well-studied proposal and to have a united voice when we go to Congress”, she emphasized.
Aside from the consultations, there would also be dialogues with officials and forums on the issue, Climaco added. (Ryan STa. Teresa)