By Ferdinand G. Patinio
MANILA, (PNA) — Aside from voting the barangay chairman and barangay kagawads in their respective barangays, the more than 500,000 registered voters in Davao del Sur will also vote if they approve or not the creation of the new Province of Davao Occidental.
The plebiscite will be held in connection with the enactment by Congress of Republic Act 10360 or an “Act Creating the Province of Davao Occidental” last July 23, 2013.
The 523,862 registered voters (as of the May 13, midterm polls) of Davao del Sur excluding Davao City, will be voting to create the new province to be composed of the Municipalities of Sta. Maria, Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos and Sarangan.
The five municipalities were carved out from the eight (8) municipalities in the 2nd Legislative District of Davao del Sur.
Voters will be asked to answer the question by Yes or No.
The Commission on Elections (Comnelec) decided to hold the plebiscite simultaneous with Barangay elections on October 28 as they would save P29 million.
The poll body explained that they will only spend more than P11 million if they conduct the plebiscite with the village polls. A total of P40 million is needed to hold a separate plebiscite.
In RA 10360, the poll body was mandated to supervise the conduct of a plebiscite for the approval of the creation of Davao Occidental by the majority of the votes cast by voters in the affected areas, within sixty (60) days after the Act becomes effective.