CAMP BRIG. GEN. VICENTE LIM, Laguna – The Calaca electorate successfully ratified the conversion of its town into a component city through a plebiscite held on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Jeweleane M. Vidal, chairperson of the Municipal Plebiscite Board of Canvassers of Calaca, formally proclaimed the conversion of the municipality into a component city at past 10 p.m.
Vidal said 29,424 voted yes while 3,781 voted no.
The conduct of the plebiscite was pursuant to Republic Act No. 11544 entitled “An Act converting the municipality of Calaca in the Province of Batangas into a Component City to be known as the City of Calaca” which was signed by former President Duterte and promulgated by the Commission on Election (Comelec) through Resolution No. 10799 on July 6, 2022.
Under the law, Calaca will remain part of the first district of Batangas.
Calaca is a first-class municipality with a population of 81,859 based on the 2015 census. Its revenues in 2016 reached nearly P400 million.
The ratification paves the way for the town to become the fifth city in Batangas, after Lipa, Tanauan, Batangas, and Sto. Tomas.
A report by the Police Regional Office-Calabarzon said voters braved rainy weather and queued early in most of the 37 polling centers all over Calaca.
There was no report of any untoward incident and the plebiscite was peacefully concluded with a majority voter turnout, thanks to a maximized police presence and visibility throughout the conduct of the political exercise.
Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Police Regional Office 4-A director, said that a total of 585 Philippine National Police personnel were strategically deployed to secure the 37 polling centers.
The PRO4-A continuously monitored the deployed PNP personnel in their designated areas of responsibilities through body-worn cameras and a zoom platform that can be viewed live at the Regional Command Center.
Local police also established eight checkpoints within Calaca and nearby towns.
A reactionary standby support force was deployed to respond should there be any sudden civil disturbances or unlawful activities.
The conduct of the plebiscite was said to be peaceful because there were zero gun ban violations and other untoward plebiscite-related incidents reported.
Nartatez lauded the smooth and orderly conduct of the plebiscite and expressed his gratitude to the men and women of PRO- Calabarzon.
“I am elated with the results of our hard work. Our careful preparation and strict implementation of existing laws during the plebiscite have led to its success,” said Nartatez.
“My gratitude to our personnel who gave their best in ensuring its peaceful and orderly conduct. I am looking forward to the fact that there will be no other incidents related to plebiscite while waiting for the final results for the benefit of the citizens of Calaca,” added Nartatez.