Baliwag town now a component city of Bulacan — Comelec

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 18) — Baliwag is now officially a component city of Bulacan province, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced, after nearly 18,000 residents voted in support of its cityhood.

In a statement, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said 17,814 residents voted "yes” while only 5,702 voted "no" during the plebiscite held Saturday.

Turnout was low at 21.70%, according to the poll body — with just 23,562 out of 108,572 registered voters participating in the exerices.

The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections or NAMFREL described the conduct of the closing and counting processes as generally smooth and peaceful.

Republic Act No. 11929, which sought to convert Baliwag into a city, lapsed into law in July. But a plebiscite was needed to ratify it.

Baliwag is now Bulacan's fourth component city after Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte, and the provincial capital Malolos.