The Baliwag (its municipal hall show here) is now a city. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Baliwag in Bulacan is now a city — the fourth in the province after Malolos (the provincial capital), Mecauayan, and San Jose del Monte.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) made the announcement on Saturday, saying that the majority of voters in a plebiscite ratified turning the municipality into a component city.
The total voter turnout was 21.70% — or 23,562 out of 108,572 registered voters.
According to Comelec, 75.60% (or 17,814) voted for Baliwag’s cityhood, while 24.19% (5,702) voted against it.
The annual P330-million Internal Revenue Allotment would double to P660 million once the municipality becomes a city, Baliwag Mayor Ferdinand Estrella said.
Republic Act No. 11929, or the measure converting the municipality of Baliwag into a component city, lapsed into law on July 29.
Based on the 2020 census, Baliwag has a population of 168,470.