Senate approves the creation of new barangay in Occidental Mindoro

The Senate approved on third and final reading House Hill 3973 declaring a parcel of land as Barangay Sto. Nino in the municipality of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro with 14 affirmative votes, zero negative and zero absention.

The bill was sponsored by Committee on Environment and Natural Resources chairman Sen. Chiz Escudero.

Escudero said Barangay Sto, Nino, which has a total land area of 102 hectares, will be declared as an agricultural land open to disposition for residential, commercial, industrial or other productive purposes.

"Within six months following the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act," he said.

The bill was approved on second reading with amendments last February 5, 2013. (OLIVE CAUNAN, PRIB)