Naga plebiscite set November 21 despite BSKE suspension

MANILA, Philippines —  A plebiscite for the conversion of Naga into a highly urbanized city will be conducted on Nov. 21 despite disruptions caused by the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), according to the Commission on Elections.

The Comelec said the Naga plebiscite was supposed to be conducted simultaneously with the BSKE on Nov. 2, but Malacañang postponed the twin elections to 2028.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo had requested the poll body to proceed with the plebiscite this year even as the BSKE was deferred.

He said Robredo told him that the city government is willing to provide the additional P30 million needed for the plebiscite to push through this year.

The Comelec had prepared only P20 million as the plebiscite was supposed to be conducted alongside the BSKE.

Garcia said that with the postponement of the BSKE, the Comelec will need P50 million or an additional P30 million for the ratification of Naga into a highly urbanized city.

“The city government still prefers to hold the plebiscite this year as this can no longer be synchronized with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. At present, the Naga City plebiscite is scheduled on Nov. 21,” Garcia said at a forum of the Kapihan sa Manila Bay yesterday.

The plebiscite will determine whether residents are in favor of converting Naga into a highly urbanized city following a declaration from Malacañang.

Garcia said that only registered voters of Naga could participate in the plebiscite. He said the city has nearly 160,000 registered voters.

The Comelec earlier approved Robredo’s request to synchronize the plebiscite with the BSKE to reduce costs, noting a standalone plebiscite will need about P50 million.

Aside from Naga, the Comelec had planned to conduct several other local plebiscites simultaneous with the BSKE including for proposed changes in the names of some areas in Ayala Alabang, Camarines Sur and Davao.

Garcia said these plebiscites may no longer push through this year because conducting them separately would be costly.