Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia and other officials visited Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town, Palawan on the first day of voter registration on Monday.

The visit to the smallest municipality in the country is symbolic, according to Garcia.

“Marapat lamang na ang Comelec ay magpakita, magpatunay na kaya naming puntahan ang kahit saang parte ng ating bansa maiparehistro lang ang ating mga kababayan,” Garcia said.

“The fact na nandito ang Comelec, nagpaparehistro tayo ng ating mga kababayan, mga Pilipino, nangangahulugan Pilipinas ito."

Pag-asa Island has a population of 1,200. Around 500 residents are registered voters, while more than 100 are of age but have not yet registered.

They are included in the number of people that Comelec hopes to encourage to register to achieve a target of 3 million new voters.

Several residents came out to register. They include 20-year-old Rian Dave Asiado, who failed to do so for the past elections due to his classes.

“Nanghinayang lang po (ako) kasi may mga gusto po akong iboto kaso hindi po ako nakaboto,” Asiado said.

SIMPLIFIED PROCESS

Voter registration has been simplified. Applicants only need to fill up a one-page form as opposed to 6 pages previously.

They also just need to present one valid government ID or student ID.

If there is no ID, Comelec will accept a village certification saying a person is a bonafide resident.

Cedula and company ID are prohibited.

The poll body also warns against double or multiple registration, which violates the Omnibus Election Code and may be penalized with imprisonment and a fine.

Comelec previously declared February 12 as National Voter’s Registration Day to emphasize the importance of voter registration.

“Anong karapatan natin na magrereklamo tayo sa ating mga hinahalal kung ikaw mismo hindi ka naghalal? Mas maganda po magpaparehistro sapagkat ‘yan mapapakita natin na pantay-pantay tayo sa mata ng batas,” Garcia said.

REGISTER ANYWHERE PROGRAM

Comelec has also started the Register Anywhere Program.

Through this, Comelec partners with malls, schools, private companies, government offices and other establishments for voter registration.

A person may also reactivate, transfer registration, or update his information.

One of the venues of the Register Anywhere Program on Monday was the Baclaran Church in Pasay.

The schedule for the said program may be checked on Comelec's social media accounts. 

Voter registration is until September 30.