Antipolo: A plebiscite took place in Para±aque City on Saturday to determine the ratification of a city ordinance that proposes changes to the territorial boundaries of five coastal barangays.

According to Philippines News Agency, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia emphasized that the winner of the plebiscite will be determined by a plurality of votes rather than a majority. The outcome will depend on whether the 'Yes' or 'No' votes receive a higher count. Garcia explained that it is not necessary to obtain the majority of votes for a decision. The proclamation will be based on the option that garners the highest number of votes, even if it does not constitute a majority.

Garcia further explained that the plebiscite occurred in the coastal barangays of Baclaran, Tambo, Don Galo, La Huerta, and San Dionisio, with a manual voting process. Special provisions were made for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and pregnant women, who were allowed to vote between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., while regular voting continued from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The entire process, including the counting and proclamation of results, was conducted manually.

The plebiscite aimed to ratify City Ordinance 2023-19 series of 2022, dated July 13, 2023, which is titled "An Ordinance Altering the Existing Territorial Boundaries of Five Coastal Barangays Within the Territorial Jurisdiction of the City of Para±aque Adjoining the Reclaimed Areas in Manila Bay, Namely: Barangay Baclaran, Tambo, Don Galo, La Huerta and San Dionisio, Adopting for This Purpose the Straight Line Policy in the Determination of Amended Boundaries Thereof."

The ordinance introduces the straight-line policy, a method that employs geometric vectors to define the boundaries of coastal reclaimed areas. This approach aims to establish precise and legal parameters for land titles, taxation, and jurisdictional boundaries, addressing the challenges posed by irregular and variable shorelines.