Voters to decide on creation of Davao Occidental

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – As residents in the entire country cast their votes for their village officials today, thousands are also set to register their voice on the creation of the province of Davao Occidental.

Aside from selecting their village officials, voters in Davao del Sur will have an additional question whether they are for or against the proposed new province.

The proposed province will include the towns of Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Sarangani and Sta Maria.

The current province of Davao del Sur, which has two legislative districts, will be reduced to one legislative district with 9 municipalities and 1 city.

“You have to fill out yes or no. Do not vote by checking,” Atty Marlon Casquejo, Comelec assistant regional director, said.

He explained that the votes will be “decided not by plurality but by the majority of votes.”

“It will be divide by 2 plus 1,” Casquejo said.

Casquejo said they are expecting the election to be peaceful as all the political parties and clans are supporting the Davao Occidental initiative.

“Positive naman,” Casquejo said.

Tarpaulins of local politicians expressing their support for it were mounted weeks before the election.

At least 500,000 registered voters are expected to participate in the plebiscite. – Rappler.com