Comelec Announces Twin Plebiscites for Renaming Municipality and Barangay in Davao del Norte
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially scheduled twin plebiscites to be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the town of San Isidro, Davao del Norte. This significant electoral event will determine the renaming of both the municipality and a barangay, as mandated by Republic Act 11814.
Details of the Plebiscites
In a recent social media announcement, Comelec revealed that the first plebiscite will focus on renaming the Municipality of San Isidro to the Municipality of Sawata. Simultaneously, a second plebiscite will be conducted to rename Barangay Sawata to Barangay Poblacion. The voting process is set to take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the specified date, ensuring a full day for residents to participate in this democratic exercise.
Impact on Voter Registration
In preparation for the plebiscites, Comelec has announced the suspension of voter registration activities in San Isidro. Specifically, there will be no voter registration in San Isidro, Davao del Norte, on April 10-11, 2026. This temporary halt aims to facilitate a smooth and organized plebiscite process, minimizing disruptions and ensuring accurate voter turnout for the renaming decisions.
Legal Basis and Requirements
The plebiscites are being conducted under the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11814, which was enacted to rename the Municipality of San Isidro as the Municipality of Sawata and to rename the current Barangay Sawata as Barangay Poblacion. According to the law, the change of names for both the municipality and barangay will only take effect upon ratification by a majority of votes cast in separate plebiscites organized by Comelec. This legal framework underscores the importance of public approval in such administrative changes, emphasizing democratic principles in local governance.
The outcome of these plebiscites will have lasting implications for the identity and administrative records of the area, reflecting the will of the local electorate as they decide on these proposed name changes.
