Resident voters of Barangay Canumay will decide if it is high time to have two Barangay Canumays, the East and the West in a plebiscite set on March 3, 2012, Saturday, at their designated voting polls.

Last November 21, 2011, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Valenzuela City approved Ordinance No. 37, Series of 2011, “An Ordinance Dividing Barangay Canumay and creating two (2) new barangays to be known as Barangay Canumay West and Barangay Canumay East, subject to all legal and existing rules and regulations.”

It stemmed out of the Sangguniang Barangay ng Canumay Kapasiyahan Bilang 05-07, a resolution which does not oppose the request of the people wanting to divide Canumay into two barangays.  This was indorsed by the same to the Sangguniang Panlungsod in the year 2005 and on August 11, 2010.

According to the ordinance, at present, North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) traverses through Barangay Canumay that physically divides its land area which in effect necessitates the building of two (2) barangay halls, duplicating the day care center to accommodate the children of the displaced portion of the barangay and establishing separate health centers.

Also based on the Local Government Code of the Philippines, Sec. 386 on the Requisites for Creation, a barangay may be created out of a contiguous territory which has a population of at least five thousand (5,000) inhabitants for the highly urbanized cities. Statistics shows that Barangay Canumay East has more than 13,000 population while more than 15,000 for Canumay West.

Valenzuela City Commission on Election (COMELEC) - District 1 opened the campaign period through a parade conducted last February 17 that routed main roads of Barangay Canumay.  It was attended by both ‘YES’ and ‘NO’ supporters.

Being one of the largest barangays in Valenzuela City in first district, with land area of approximately 2,054,569 square meters, it is expected that twelve thousand eight hundred fifty two (12,852) registered voters of Barangay Canumay will cast their votes on the judgment day.

For further questions and information about the plebiscite and the activities near your community, contact COMELEC of District 1 at 352-3000 local 240.

Valenzuela City COMELEC - District 1 Elections Officer, Atty. Patrick Enaje reminds everyone that by virtue of several COMELEC Resolutions, “Although it is a plebiscite in just one barangay, prohibited acts implemented during regular election shall be imposed, such as, “Liquor Ban” from March 2 to 3 and “Gun Ban” from February 17, 2012 to March 6, 2012 in the whole Valenzuela City.