The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said there will be an early distribution and delivery of election paraphernalia in at least 48 barangays for the March 13 Palawan Plebiscite.
MIMAROPA Regional Election Director (RED) Atty. Gloria Ramos-Petallo said seven municipalities have so far been "granted authority for early delivery."
This means 48 barangays in Palawan are set to receive the forms and supplies that will be used in the plebiscite earlier than others.
These barangays are located in the municipalities of Aborlan (2), Agutaya (5), Brooke's Point (18), Cagayancillo (1), Narra (13), Rizal (3), and San Vicente (6).
In Resolution No. 10687, the Comelec said the distribution of the plebiscite forms and supplies to the Plebiscite Committees (PlebComs) is "not earlier than the first hour of Plebiscite Day".
However, early distribution can be granted in cases when there is a considerable distance between the Office of the Municipal Treasurer and the location of the polling place; or there is lack or difficulty of means of transportation in the area.
It may also be permitted when the total number of precincts in the municipality is too many that not all the PlebComs may be able to receive their paraphernalia in time for the opening of polls if the distribution is done early in the morning of Plebiscite Day; or when the peace and order conditions in the area justify such advance deliveries.
"As we near March 13 plebiscite, we are exerting all our efforts to properly distribute everything," Petallo said in a virtual press briefing on Monday, March 8.
"The deployment of election paraphernalia and supplies are also ongoing," she added. The Comelec originally scheduled the conduct of the plebiscite to ratify the division of the province of Palawan into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur on May 11, 2020 in accordance to Republic Act No. 11259.
It was suspended in April 2020 due to the pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.