MERELY 30 percent of the registered voters of Barangay Muzon in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan went out to vote during the plebiscite on Saturday, March 25, 2023, held by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Data released by the Comelec showed that only 13,456 of the 43,771 registered voters cast their vote for a turnout of 30.74 percent.

Broken down per voting center, San Jose Heights Elementary School had 2,378 voters, Pabahay Elementary School had 5,115, Benito Nieto Elementary School had 2,721, and Muzon High School had 3,242 voters.

Earlier, the poll body projected that the voter turnout could be at least 80 percent.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia attributed the low voter turnout to multiple factors.

"Many have work or classes. Some have laundry to do or had to go to market. Others were not interested," said Garcia in a message to reporters.

Despite this, the poll chief said they still consider the plebiscite as "very successful."

"There was not a single untoward incident. All established precincts functioned. All the Electoral Board members reported for duty," said Garcia.

Republic Act No. 11896 provides for the division of Barangay Muzon into four separate and independent barangays.

If approved, Barangay Muzon will be divided into Barangay Muzon Proper, Barangay Muzon East, Barangay Muzon West and Barangay Muzon South.

As of 5:07 p.m., the partial and unofficial count showed that 9,520 voted for YES, while 682 voted for NO.

Garcia said results of the plebiscite could be completed by 8 p.m. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)