by PIO Los Baños September 4, 2021 LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) partnered with the Municipal Government of Los ...
September 4, 2021
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) partnered with the Municipal Government of Los Baños (MGLB) thru the Public Information Office (PIO) in holding a webinar for Voter Education to urge more people to practice their right to suffrage.
COMELEC and MGLB PIO hosted the said Voter Education Webinar titled, “Know Elections Better Seminar/Webinar (KEBS)” last August 25, 2021 with the aim to advocate for mindful voting of leaders and to encourage residents of the town to register.
“Inaanyayahan ko ang bawat isa na magparehistro at huwag sayangin ang inyong boto. Ang inyong pagpaparehistro ay pagnanais ninyong tumulong sa ating bayan sa pamamagitan ng inyong pagboto. Ang inyong pagboto sa mga mananalong mamumuno sa bayan ay inyong Karapatan… Karapatan sa malayang pagpili, karapatan bilang isang malayang mamamayan ng Los Baños at Karapatan bilang isang PIlipino,” Mayor Antonio “Kuya Tony” Kalaw said in his opening message.
The Local Chief Executive emphasized in his message that it is the people’s right to vote as a free citizen of Los Baños and as a Filipino, thus, urging them to register and vote.
“Ibinabahagi natin sa ating mamamayan o iminumulat natin sila sa kahalagahan ng eleksiyon at ang unang hakbang para dito ay ginagawa sa pagpaparehistro,” Election Officer Randy Banzuela stated.
Banzuela said the first step in promoting awareness on the importance of elections is getting registered as voter.
He informed the participants and viewers that the elections is set to push through on May 9, 2022. And then reminded them to be observant of their elected leaders for their responsiveness and public service amid the pandemic.
The Philippines is a democratic country and its Sovereignty resides in the people, therefore, it is the people who has the power to choose their leader through a free electoral system, he explained.
“Public office is a public trust,” he stressed, explaining that public officers and employees must be accountable to the people at all times and should serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity and loyalty. This should also be considered in choosing whom to vote among the candidates for election.
Moreso, he clarified that since the issuance of Voter’s ID was halted due to the advent of the PhilSys National ID, it is no longer required to be able to vote. Voters should only need to look for their names in the lists posted in election venues.
COMELEC also usually publish the list of registered voters through their official Facebook pages as he explained. Citizens may register as voter as long as they reach the right age of 18 until May 9, 2021 and has been residing not below six months in their respective barangay.
Based on the directives of COMELEC, the local COMELEC offices are open from 8 AM to 7 PM from Mondays thru Fridays except when the area is under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) unless allowed by the National COMELEC.
To lessen exposure upon visiting the COMELEC office, Banzuela advised Barangays to download forms which can be given ahead of time to their constituents who wish to register. Transaction time will be shortened if pre-filled forms can be readily submitted upon arrival in the COMELEC office.
The Municipal Government of Los Baños and COMELEC are continuously encouraging residents of this town to register until September 30, 2021.
No comments