VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Catanduanes Provincial Office launched an awareness campaign against vote-buying dubbed ‘’Kontra-Bigay” in connection with the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) 2023.

Lawyer Neil B. Canicula, election supervisor for Catanduanes,  said the ‘10.10 Kontra-Bigay’ campaign represents 10 campaign days, and 10 kilometer run from October 19-28. He said that in the entire country, only Catanduanes has implemented the said initiative wherein they will be running 10 km. each day during the 10-day campaign period.

The provincial launching was simultaneously held in 11 towns of the province participated by Comelec, PNP, AFP, and volunteer runners.

Canicula also said that the activity aims to remind candidates that Comelec is serious in their campaign against vote-buying and vote-selling.

In connection with the conduct of 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE), Commission on Elections  Catanduanes spearheaded the 2nd Command Conference on October 17  at Virac Sports Complex.

According to Canicula,  the activity aims to ensure the readiness of all concerned agencies in the upcoming elections.

The activity aims to  present security plan for the BSKE, COMELEC preparation updates, discuss  other activities and concerns for the elections, and  launch the Kontra-Bigay and Anti-Epal Campaign Information.

To realize this, Comelec has invited DILG, PNP, PNP ASG PPCRV, DENR, Philpost, PIA, Philippine Army, PCG, BJMP, DepEd, DOH, DPWH, PPCRV and Ficelco to the event.

At the command conference, delegates from diverse government agencies and private organizations expressed their dedication, affirming that they are fully prepared and that its "all systems  go" for the upcoming elections. 

According to the most recent data from COMELEC, Catanduanes has a total of 287,012 registered voters for both SK and Barangay positions, representing all 315 barangays within the province. 

For the Barangay level, there is  a total of 203,712 registered voters, 1,328 established precincts and 675 clustered precincts.

Meanwhile, there is  a total of 83,300 registered voters; 1,328 SK established precincts; 675 SK clustered precincts for the SK level. 

There are  20 candidates in Catanduanes who were given show cause order for alleged premature campaigning. Fifteen (15) are from Gigmoto town while five (5) are from Virac town.

As pe record of Comelec here, a total of 9,622 has filed their candidacy for the upcoming elections. The breakdown of which is as follows: Punong Barangay (768); Member, Sangguniang Bayan (5313); SK Chairperson (688); Member, Sangguniang Kabataan (2853). On the other hand, 62 have filed for withdrawal of candidacy and 1 filed for substitution. (PIA 5/Catanduanes)