NAGA CITY (PIA) – While the target registrants of over eight thousand was not met from the recently concluded registration period, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here, headed by Atty. Maico Julia, ascertained a successful Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections come October 30 this year.  

“Comelec is in close cooperation with other stakeholders such as the Department of Education. In information matters, we have the media; in peace and order, the Philippine National Police, and other government agencies in facilitating this upcoming elections - that is why I can say that this will be successful if each agency will coordinate and prepare," Atty. Julia said. 

Now that the mobility of the public has increased being at the post-pandemic time, the election officer said that the commission expects more participation from them. This welcomes too the resumption of the polls since its postponement in 2018.

Julia said that the registrant turnout did not hit the target because of weakened engagement since the registration started on December 12.

However, he assessed that satellite registrations in barangays and other areas aided in increasing the new voters' turnout.

People flocked at the Commission on Elections office in Naga City on the last day of registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30, 2023. Photo by Alvinjay Carinan

"If we reach the public in their barangays, we achieved higher percentage. Our priorities were those in upper barangays like  Carolina, Pacol, Cararayan and San Felipe - where more han 100 individuals registered to vote," he said.

Aside from that, COMELEC Naga conducted registrations among persons deprived of liberty with the coordination of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

The commission also assisted the registration of the vulnerable sector, senior citizens, persons with disabilities for them to register, and to serve their rights to vote.

On January 31, more than 3K individuals registered to vote in this city. While there was no specific data provided yet, he said that around 40 percent of new registrants, and 40 percent of transferred voters were listed for the upcoming elections.

Those voters who have reactivated and corrected their entries reached about 20 percent from its target.

Julia reminded the public to stay updated for the preparations of the elections by visiting their official website, and social media pages. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)