MANILA – Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo is set to meet with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia to discuss the proposed plebiscite on the city’s conversion into a Highly Urbanized City (HUC).

The meeting will take place at the Comelec’s main office following a joint proposal submitted by Robredo and Naga Election Supervisor Maico Julia seeking to hold the plebiscite simultaneously with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Nov. 2, 2026.

Under the law, the plebiscite must be conducted within 120 days from the issuance of the presidential proclamation declaring Naga City as a Highly Urbanized City. The conversion will take effect only after it is ratified by the city’s voters.

Garcia earlier invited Robredo for a formal discussion on the proposal to synchronize the plebiscite with the BSKE, a move aimed at increasing voter turnout while reducing the cost of conducting separate electoral exercises.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the presidential proclamation on May 27, 2026, officially declaring Naga City as the country’s 34th Highly Urbanized City.

The city’s bid for HUC status was initiated by the current city government after the 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted Resolution No. 2026-078 on Jan. 27, 2026.

City officials expressed hope that holding the plebiscite alongside the BSKE would promote a more efficient and orderly voting process for Naga City residents.