He said the signing of Integrity Pledge is not just a ceremony done in compliance to the directives but an initiative to remind the candidates that running for certain positions entails great responsibility.
Labaria said that with the crisis that the country is facing like COVID-19 and the skyrocketing of prices as a result of the war in Ukraine, he hopes that the people will choose the right leaders to lead the province.
“Kumpyansa ko nga peaceful ang election diri kay sukad wala pako nakabati ug naay nanggiaway diri ug bahin lang ug politika (I am confident that we will have a peaceful elections here because I have never heard of people resorting to violence in the past due to politics," he said.
As of March 17, Labaria said the COMELEC has already identified the board of election inspectors as well as the 146 voting centers.
“Naa na ta sa (we are already in the) last two batches of the training in Dumaguete. After the one-day training, they took the exam conducted by the Department of Science and Technology as part of its Electoral Board (EB) certification process for them to be capable of operating the vote counting machines," he said.
He said training of technical staff who will assist the EBs in transmitting the results to the canvassing and to the national centers is set to finish this month.
Another training for the board of canvassers, from the different municipalites is set in the first week of April, Labaria added.
He said printing of information sheets is ongoing and by the time these are done, they will be delivered to residents as their guide in casting their ballots in the upcoming elections.
“That is part of our preparations,” he said, explaining that for areas under Level 1 and 2, permits from the COMELEC campaign committee is no longer required during the campaign.
He urged everyone to follow the minimum public health protocols such as physical distancing and wearing of masks to stop the spread of the virus and maintain the Level 1 status of the province.
“Kay kung mo Level 3, mangampanya mo mangayo, na pud mo’g permit namu. So maningkamot ta nga magpabilin ta sa Level 1 diri sa Siquijor para tuloy-tuloy ra atong pangampanya. wa na tay kinahanglan ug mga permit (If we go back to Level 3, you will need to obtain a permit from us. So let us strive to maintain the Level 1 status so you can go on with your campaign smoothly without any need for permits)," Labaria said. (RAC/PIA7 Siquijor)
