COMELEC urges public to join ‘Register Anywhere Program’

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Iloilo continues to encourage the public to participate in its Register Anywhere Program (RAP), an initiative aimed at boosting voter registration ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, particularly in highly urbanized cities.

The COMELEC in Iloilo City launched the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) with a fun run at Atria Park in Mandurriao District on Saturday, August 24.

The event drew 300 participants, but only 100 took advantage of the voter registration opportunity, with 20 percent being new registrants. The program is scheduled to end on August 31.

During a press conference held the same day, COMELEC Regional Election Director Dennis Ausan highlighted the initiative as a pioneering effort in the country.

“This project is the first of its kind in the country. We in the region are very happy to see this kind of activity being done and conceptualized,” Ausan said.

Iloilo Provincial Election Supervisor Reinier Layson shared ongoing efforts to improve information dissemination about the RAP.

“We are enhancing our information dissemination efforts and hope that in the remaining days of the RAP, we can pick up the pace and see higher output,” Layson stated.

He expressed optimism that the program would lead to a significant increase in registered voters, particularly among non-residents of Iloilo City who work or study in the area.

Layson acknowledged that while turnout so far has been less than expected, the RAP remains a valuable tool for registering individuals who might otherwise struggle to find time to register.

“For Iloilo City, we average only about 10 applicants daily, more or less. Our machines can accommodate up to 100 or 200 per day,” he explained.

Regular voter registration at various COMELEC offices will continue alongside the RAP.

To boost registration efforts in the final stretch, Iloilo City Election Officer IV Pinky Jevini Tentativa announced that satellite registration sites will continue, with locations in major malls: Robinsons Mall in the first week of September, SM City in the second week, Robinsons Jaro in the third week, and Festive Mall in the final week.

For residents in the province, Layson advised following the official COMELEC page of their respective municipalities for the latest updates and information on the voter registration schedule.

Ausan emphasized that there will be no extension beyond the September 30 deadline.

“We hope that through our campaign and in partnership with the media, we can remind the public that our office is open Mondays to Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays to cater to all their registration concerns,” Ausan said.

Meanwhile, immediately after the voter registration period concludes, COMELEC will shift its focus to the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the midterm elections, scheduled from October 1 to 8.

Ausan assured the public that the upcoming elections would continue to use automated voting machines, with enhancements such as a larger screen.

“While the basics will remain the same, COMELEC will be introducing enhancements to the machines,” Ausan explained.

In preparation for the elections, COMELEC plans to conduct nationwide roadshows from mid-November through January.

“Unlike before when we did it on a limited scale, this time around, each municipality will be allotted at least one machine. For two months, we will reach out to all sectors to familiarize everyone with how the machines will operate and introduce them to the enhancements,” Ausan added.

With these initiatives, COMELEC Iloilo City hopes to see a significant increase in the number of registered voters and ensure that the electorate is well-prepared and informed ahead of the midterm elections.