THE Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Davao is awaiting the order from the main office to conduct the plebiscite that would change the name of Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro.
The plebiscite was set on December 7, said Comelec-Davao lawyer Krisna Caballero.
The Comelec is mandated to set the day and supervise the conduct of the plebiscite in compliance with Section 12 (g) of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991."
"Inaantay pa natin na i-cascade from the main office kung ano yong mga dapat nating gawin sa plebiscite on December 7. Tatapusin lang siguro natin kasi ang pinaghahandaan natin is SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) -- if ever man na ma-suspend, that will be the next that we will focus on," Caballero said.
In April this year, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act 11297, or an act renaming the province of Compostela Valley to the Province of Davao de Oro.
"The renaming of the province of Compostela Valley as the province of Davao de Oro shall be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a plebiscite to be conducted in the present Province of Compostela Valley," the law states.
Caballero said that unlike the regular election, the preparation for the plebiscite is easier since the affected residents, who are registered voters, will only vote either yes or no.
The Provincial Government, meanwhile, is encouraging the public to vote on December 7. They have been upbeat on their "Yes to Davao de Oro campaign" to encourage the residents of Compostela Valley to vote for yes, citing positive impact for the province since it would attract more tourists and investments that would spur economic development.