MANILA, Philippines – A new law renames the province of Compostela Valley as  Davao de Oro.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the new measure, Republic Act No 11297, on April 17 but it was made public on Thursday, May 23.

President Duterte signs law renaming province of Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/1SFCqBaDJn

— Pia Ranada (@piaranada) May 23, 2019

But the province’s new name will only be final after the approval of Compostela Valley voters in a plebiscite.

“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 in the present Province of Compostela Valley,” reads the law.

The Commission on Elections is ordered to conduct and supervise the plebiscite.

The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. – Rappler.com