CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — Beside the elections for barangay and sanguniang kabataan officials, Bulakeños also casted their votes on October 30 on the plebiscite seeking to ratify the conversion of the City of San Jose Del Monte into a highly urbanized city.

Atty. Elmo Duque, Comelec Central Luzon spokesman and assistant regional director, explained that there is only a 10-day campaign period approved for the Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections and the plebiscite for the highly urbanize city of San Jose del Monte.

Bulakeños were provided with three ballots– one for the barangay official candidates, one for the Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) and one for the plebiscite.

For the barangay and SK candidate ballots, voters will write the names of their choices while for the plebiscite the voters have to write a yes or no vote.

The plebiscite will ratify former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 1057 which approved the conversion of the City of San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan into a highly urbanized city.

Rep. Florida Robes of the Lone District of San Jose del Monte, explained that if the city is converted into a highly urbanized city, it will still be a part of Bulacan. She cited Angeles City, a highly urbanized city is still part of Pampanga.

However, if this happens, San Joseños will no longer be a part for the election process for provincial officials of Bulacan like the governor, vice governor and provincial board members, the lady solon noted.

On the other hand, City Mayor Arthur Robes said that once the city is declared an urbanized city, it will receive bigger funds that can be used in the economic developments of their growing population.

The City of San Jose del Monte has the biggest population in Bulacan.

Contributed photo