The Baliwag (its municipal hall show here) is now a city. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Baliwag in Bulacan is now a city 鈥� the fourth in the province after Malolos (the provincial capital), Mecauayan, and San Jose del Monte.
The (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% 鈥� or 23,562 out of 108,572 registered voters.
According to Comelec, 75.60% (or 17,814) voted for Baliwag鈥檚 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.