Residents of Barangay Muzon in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan approved the split of the village into four, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported on Sunday.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudingco said a total of 12,324 residents, or 92.51 percent of the 13,322 registered voters who participated in the plebiscite on Saturday, agreed to split their biggest barangay into four – Barangay Muzon Proper, Barangay Muzon East, Barangay Muzon West, and Barangay Muzon South.
The barangay has a total of 43,771 registered voters, but only 30.44 percent (13,322) participated in the plebiscite.
“Given this clear mandate from the constituency of Barangay Muzon, considered the most populous area in the City of San Jose del Monte, the original barangay will henceforth be divided into four distinct and independent barangays,” Laudingco said in a statement.
The move to split the barangay into four is aimed at improving the delivery of basic social services.
Laudiangco said the Comelec en banc, headed by chair George Garcia, expressed gratitude to poll employees as well as all its stakeholders, including the local government of Bulacan and the City of San Jose del Monte, for their help and support in ensuring a peaceful and orderly plebiscite.
The Comelec earlier said more than 70 clustered precincts in four voting centers have opened to accommodate voters for the plebiscite on Saturday morning that will divide Barangay Muzon in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
In a statement, the poll body said more than 43,000 registered voters would decide if they want to divide their barangay into four separate barangays.
It said if a majority of voters approved the division, each barangay would be independent of one another and have its own officials.
The plebiscite is the second for the province after the poll body held the plebiscite in Baliwag, Bulacan, where the people voted to convert the municipality into a component city.
A total of 23,562 voters participated in the Dec. 17, 2022 plebiscite, 17,814 of whom agreed to ratify RA 11929, which converted Baliwag into a city.
The poll body also earlier urged the over 43,000 registered voters in Barangay Muzon, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan province to participate in the March 25 plebiscite that will divide the mother barangay into four barangays.
Barangay Muzon has 43,771 total registered voters.
Laudiangco said the voting period will be from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in four polling centers.
These are San Jose Heights Elementary School, Pabahay Elementary School, Benito Nieto Elementary School and Muzon High School.
For his part, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they expect 80 percent voter turnout for Saturday’s electoral activity.
“Yes, (we expect high voter turnout), maybe 80 percent. We learned that the local government unit campaigned hard for this election, considering also that we heard no opposition to this plebiscite,” he said in a viber message.
At the same time, the poll body chief invited registered voters in Barangay Muzon to participate in the plebiscite.
“Every electoral exercise is an opportunity to highlight the vibrancy of our democracy. Our voices are heard. This is the essence of this plebiscite. We dictate what our future is. So go out and vote and proclaim to everyone that you are free,” he added.
On the other hand, Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas said the final Command Conference for the plebiscite will be held on Friday.
“The final command conference will be held in San Jose del Monte in preparation for the plebiscite on Saturday to be participated in by the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines,
members of Department of Education and other stakeholders and the Comelec,” he said.
“All the ballots, forms and supplies are already in San Jose del Monte, the teachers are also ready for the conduct of the plebiscite,” the poll body official added.