MANILA – The plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the municipality of Baliwag as a component city of the province of Bulacan has been set on Jan. 14, 2023.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec), in Resolution No. 10834 made public Wednesday, said this will allow the town's residents to vote whether to approve or reject the measure.
"Now, therefore, the Commission on Elections hereby sets the date of the plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the Municipality of Baliwag in the Province of Bulacan into a component city to be known as the City of Baliwag on January 14, 2023," the poll body said.
The resolution added that the plebiscite period will be from Dec. 14, 2022 up to Jan. 21, 2023.
During this period, acts such as bearing or carrying firearms, maintenance of a strike force, suspension of local elective officials, and transfer or detail employees in the civil service are prohibited.
On the other hand, the information and campaign period is set from Dec.14, 2022 to Jan. 12, 2023.
The activities allowed during this time are the holding of barangay assemblies, fora or "pulong-pulong" while defacing, tampering, or preventing the distribution of lawful plebiscite propaganda is prohibited.
The voting will start at 7 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m.
The counting of votes shall immediately begin after the close of voting, to be followed by the canvassing of votes, and proclamation of results.
The holding of the plebiscite is pursuant to Republic Act 11929 which lapsed into law on July 30.
"The Comelec shall conduct and supervise such plebiscite. The expenses for such plebiscite shall be borne by the Municipality of Baliwag," the law said.
If the law is ratified, Baliwag will become Bulacan's fourth component city aside from San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan, and provincial capital Malolos. (PNA)
