President Duterte has signed Republic Act No. 11395 paving the way for the creation of the lone legislative district of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.
The new law separates the city of Sta. Rosa from the first legislative district of Laguna to constitute the lone legislative district of Sta. Rosa City.
The new district will commence in the next national and local elections following the effectivity of the new law.
Under the law, the incumbent Laguna first district representative will continue to represent such district until a new representative of lone district of Sta. Rosa is elected.
The Commission on Elections has been directed to issue the rules and regulations to implement RA 11395 within 60 days from the effectivity of the law.
The law, signed by the President last Aug. 22, will take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper.
Laguna Rep. Arlene Arcillas had earlier filed a bill separating Sta. Rosa City from Laguna amid the growing population of the city.
Sta. Rosa reportedly has a population of 353,767 as of the 2015 government census and is home to several subdivisions and residential and commercial communities, automotive plants, and the Enchanted Kingdom theme park. (Genalyn Kabiling)