Duterte signs law renaming Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure renaming the province of Compostela Valley as the province of Davao de Oro.

This, however, has to be approved first by the residents through a plebiscite.

Under Republic Act 11297, approved April 17, the renaming of the province shall be subject to ratification by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified voters in a plebiscite.

The Commission on Elections shall conduct and supervise the plebiscite in compliance with the Local Government Code.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, sponsor of the bill, said the renaming of the province would mean entry of more investments.

He added Davao de Oro is a fitting name for the province, having the largest gold deposits in the country, with 10 out of its 11 towns having one or more gold mines each. Oro means gold in Spanish and Italian.

Compostela Valley is the only province in Davao Region which does not have Davao in its name just yet.

Davao region is composed of five provinces—Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental. — MDM, GMA News