Legislative districts of Pangasinan
The legislative districts of Pangasinan are the representations of the province of Pangasinan and the independent component city of Dagupan in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province and the city are currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through their [|first], [|second], [|third], [|fourth], [|fifth], and [|sixth] congressional districts.
History
Pangasinan was initially composed of one representative district, wherein it had [|four representatives, at large], to the Malolos Congress from 1898 to 1899. Two representatives were elected, while the other two were appointed. It was later divided into five legislative districts from 1907 to 1972.In the disruption caused by the Second World War, two delegates represented the province in the National Assembly of the Japanese-sponsored Second Philippine Republic: one was the provincial governor, while the other was elected through a provincial assembly of KALIBAPI members during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Upon the restoration of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1945, the province retained its five pre-war representative districts.
It was part of the representation of Region I from 1978 to 1984, and from 1984 to 1986 it elected [|six assemblymen at-large].
Pangasinan was reapportioned into six congressional districts under the new Constitution which was proclaimed on February 11, 1987, and elected members to the restored House of Representatives starting that same year.
Reapportionment Attempts
2009 Reapportionment AttemptIn May 2009, Representative Victor Agbayani of Pangasinan filed House Bill No. 4140 |House Bill No. 4140 during the 14th Congress. The bill sought to reapportion the province into seven legislative districts, citing population growth and the need for improved representation. After passing the House of Representatives, the bill was transmitted to the Senate. However, in June 2009, the Senate Committee on Local Government suspended hearings on the measure due to concerns over population data accuracy and potential political implications. As a result, the bill did not progress further and was not enacted into law.
2022 Reapportionment Attempt
In November 2022, Representative Robert Raymund M. Estrella of Pangasinan filed House Bill No. 6169 during the 19th Congress. The bill proposed to reapportion the province into eight legislative districts, aiming to address population disparities and enhance local governance.