ORMOC CITY – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is set to conduct a plebiscite in this city for the merging of its 28 district barangays and the renaming of one district barangay.
Accordingly, under COMELEC Resolution 10796, the said plebiscite will be held on October 8, 2022 while the official “plebiscite period” will only start on September 24, 2022 simultaneously with the necessary information and education campaign period.
Further, according to Jenette Fariola-Ruedas, COMELEC Eastern Visayas Information Officer Designate, prohibitions will also take effect during the plebiscite period, which will last until October 15, 2022. Accordingly, appointment or hiring of new employees; creation of new positions; filling of new positions; salary increases, remuneration, or privileges; and construction of public works and release of disbursement or expenditure of public funds are all prohibited acts.
In addition, during the plebiscite period, prohibition on the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places will also come into effect.
Finally, the LGU-Ormoc Technical Working Group, which oversees matters related to the plebiscite, had, accordingly, a dialogue on July 26, 2022 with COMELEC Regional Election Director, Atty. Jose Nick Mendros, to clarify issues and matters pertaining to the impending plebiscite.
To recall, on January 19, 2021, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Ormoc City enacted an “Ordinance for the Merging of Barangay District 1 to District 28 and Renaming Barangay District 29”, which was subsequently approved on January 22, 2021. (By Gwen Maurillo, EV Mail July 25-31, 2022 Issue)
