In line with the upcoming national and local elections in 2025, the Bontoc Office of Election Officer (OEO) is intensifying its voter registration and education activities, aiming to encourage a greater number of voters for the upcoming elections. The office is keeping track of its line-up of activities by reaching out to the municipality’s different communities and constituents.
One of the office’s scheduled activities is satellite registration. This program aims to bring registration services on-site and to special satellite locations accessible to target participants. These locations include barangay halls to cater to Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and persons with disabilities (PWDs), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to accommodate Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), and schools to involve students.
According to the recently consolidated quarterly progress report of the Bontoc Office of Election Officer, there are 17,391 registered voters in the municipality of Bontoc as of June, eligible to vote in the 2025 elections. The total number of registered voters is composed of 8,695 males and 8,696 females.
The Commission on Elections launched its registration period on February 12, which will end on September 30, 2024. For Bontoc, there were 91 new registrations from February to March 27, 2024.
According to Attorney Rodante C. Selpaten, Bontoc Municipal Election Officer, those voters who registered from April to June are not yet included and official, as they have to be approved first during the Election Registration Board (ERB) Quarterly hearing.
Moreover, Atty. Selpaten clarified that their office is not only open for voter registration but offers additional services. These services include applications for transfer from another district or municipality, reactivation, correction of entries, and reinstatement from overseas to local, among others.
He also mentioned that their office has been extending its service called the Register Anywhere Program (RAP), which is designed to help citizens currently residing within the municipality but wishing to register as voters in their hometowns.
“Also, we are not just accommodating aspiring voters for the Municipality of Bontoc, but our office is open to citizens from other municipalities and provinces who wish to register in their municipalities. Instead of traveling back to their respective provinces, we will help them register and forward their data to the concerned election offices where they intend to vote,” said Atty. Selpaten.
Furthermore, Atty. Selpaten emphasized that citizens need to be informed of these government services, as it is one’s right to vote as promulgated by Section 1, Article V of the 1986 Constitution. He pointed out that aside from being a right, voting also allows citizens to freely participate in elections and exercise their right to suffrage.
“We must participate in democracy and take part in electing the leaders of our nation and our municipality. It is important to vote to elect the right leaders who will serve our municipality, province, and country. But of course, you cannot vote if you do not register first. So, you have to register to exercise your responsibility and duty to vote,” he added.
While the office is busy with voter registration and application activities, it reminds the public, especially those aspiring to run for public office in the 2025 elections, that the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) will officially start on October 1-8, 2024. Moreover, according to the official announcement by COMELEC, that election day will be on May 12, 2025.
