Residents of Baliwag, Bulacan who participated in the plebiscite held Saturday, Dec. 17, were in favor of converting the town into a component city of Bulacan province, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.
A total of 17,814 residents voted for "yes" while 5,702 voted "no" during the plebiscite on Saturday, said Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco in a statement.
The Comelec noted a low voter turnout as only 23,562 out of the 108,572 registered voters in Baliwag, Bulacan participated during the plebiscite.
“Ang pangarap ng mga Baliwageño na patatagin ang pagkilala sa kanilang pag-unlad at umuusbong na ekonomiya sa pagbabago ng kanilang minamahal na Munisipyo na ngayo’y Lungsod ng Baliwag ay naging realidad na ngayon sa tagumpay ng Plebisito na ito at sa pagpapatibay ng Batas Republika Blg. 11929 (The dream of the Baliwageños to solidify their development and emerging economy in the transformation of their beloved municipality that is now the City of Baliwag has now become a reality with the success of this plebiscite and with the Republic Act No. 11929),” said Laudiangco.
Laudiangco expressed gratitude to the residents of Baliwag for participating in this exercise.
“Umaasa ang Comelec na ang sigasig na ito para sa demokrasya at electoral exercises ay maisasakatuparan sa buong bansa, sa lahat ng darating na plebisito, espesyal na halalan at sa kahaharaping pa na national at local electoral exercises (The Comelec is hoping that this enthusiasm for democracy and electoral exercises will be realized throughout the country, in all upcoming plebiscites, special elections, and the upcoming national and local electoral exercises),” he said.