By John Rey Saavedra
CEBU CITY – George Erwin Garcia, the Chairperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), urged Cebuanos on Friday to rally behind the electoral body’s significant shift in voter registration, specifically through the Register Anywhere Program (RAP).
Garcia, who personally oversaw the voter registration and education activities at a gymnasium in Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City, emphasized that this initiative would greatly enhance the convenience of the registration process.
“This initiative is aimed at assisting workers, students, and other voters who are temporarily residing in a different location. They no longer need to travel back to their hometown to register. With RAP, their registration can be facilitated right where they work or study,” Garcia informed reporters.
Omar Sharif Mamalinta, Comelec-7 spokesperson, said the initiative aims to break down barriers and make it easier for Filipinos to exercise their constitutional right of suffrage for the 2025 national and local Elections.
Through RAP, the Comelec established a one-stop shop for voter registration anywhere in the country, tapping malls and schools as venues for the off-site registration of voters.
Under this initiative, voters would no longer need to go to the Comelec office to enlist, as there are designated sites across the country where they can register, regardless of their current residence.
Earlier, seven malls and two universities in Metro Cebu’s tri-city assured the Comelec of their support to RAP. (PNA)
