Goodbye, Compostela Valley? Hello, Davao de Oro?

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law renaming the province of Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11297 on April 17 but was released only to the media on Thursday.

“The renaming of the Province of Compostela Valley as the Province of Davao de Oro shall be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a plebiscite to be conducted on the present Province of Compostella Valley,” the new law read.

Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy earlier said they wanted to rename their province as it is the only province in the Davao Region that does not bear the name “Davao.”

“The change of name is primarily motivated by our desire to be associated with the Davao Region,” Uy said.

(Editor: Abe Cerojano)