By Gabriela Baron
It’s official: Maguindanao will be split into two provinces.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Sunday afternoon, Sept. 18, that based on the complete and official canvass of the Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers of Maguindanao, 711,767 out of the 818,790 or 99.27% of the total number of registered voters in the province voted “yes.”
Meanwhile, 5,209 or 0.73% voted “no.”
With the result, Maguindanao will now be divided into two provinces to be known as Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
The voter turnout for the plebiscite was 86.93%, which is the second highest turnout province-wide in the country.
“The creation of the two provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur had long been hoped for by the Maguindanaoans and their election leaders,” Comelec Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said.
“This dream has now become a reality with the success of the Plebiscite and the ratification of RA No. 11550,” Laudiangco added.
The Comelec official attributed the high voter turnout to the “cooperative actions” of the Commission, Department of Education, Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
‘Generally peaceful’
PNP Chief PGen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the plebiscite was “generally peaceful and orderly.”
Azurin noted that election paraphernalia was received as scheduled, polling precincts opened on time, and there were no plebiscite-related incidents reported.
He also noted that security processes and protocols were organized and anti-COVID-19 protocols and efforts were enforced and observed.
A total of 2,377 PNP personnel were deployed for election duties for the plebiscite, with 1,116 deployed in 461 polling centers. – gp
