In a statement, the Comelec said out of the 108,572 registered voters, 23,562 voted during the plebiscite.
Of which, 17,814 or 75.6 percent voted in favor of the conversion of Baliwag into a component city while 5,702 or 24.2 percent voted “no.”
Baliwag is now among the 109 component cities in the country.
“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 Bilang 11920,” the Comelec said.
(The dream of the Baliwageños to solidify the recognition of 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 the adoption of the Republic Act As 11920.)
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia expressed gratitude to the Department of Education, police and military personnel as well as the local government unit that helped the conduct of a peaceful and orderly plebiscite.
“Umaasa ang Comelec na ang sigasig na ito para sa demokrasya at electoral exercises ay maisakatuparan sa buong bansa, sa lahat ng darating na plebisito, espesyal na halalan at sa kahaharaping pa na national at local electoral exercises,” he said.
(The Comelec hopes that this enthusiasm for democracy and electoral exercises will be carried out throughout the country in all upcoming plebiscites, special elections and the upcoming national and local electoral exercises.) (SunStar Philippines)