The province of Palawan, comprising of 23 municipalities, will be excluded in the resumption of the system of continuing registration of voters on Jan. 20.
The exclusion is due to the upcoming plebiscite for the division of Palawan into three provinces to be held on May 11 this year.
Through Comelec Resolution No. 10635 signed by Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas, together with six commissioners and promulgated last Jan. 10, it clarifies that the voter’s registration for the upcoming May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE) will be postponed in the province of Palawan, except in the City of Puerto Princesa as a highly urbanized city (HUC).
The conduct of plebiscite here in the province is pursuant to Republic Act 10620 dated Nov. 12, 2019, of which, the Palawenos will vote “Yes!” or “No!” regarding the move to divide Palawan into three.
In an interview with Palawan Daily News (PDN) with City Election Officer Ferdinand Bermejo, he encourages the Puerto Princesans to register early in order to avoid long lines and hassles.
“Sa ating mga kababayan sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa, samantalahin po natin itong pagbubukas ng ating voter’s registration upang maisaayos ang ating voting records—para roon sa mga may corrections o change of status, pwede n’yong ipa-correct ang inyong entry sa ating taggapan,” he appeals to the residents of the city.
Bermejo said that the office of the City Election Officer is open every Mondays to Saturdays, from 8:00 o’clock in the morning up to 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon. It also includes holidays but except Maunday Thursdays and Good Fridays and will last up until September 30, 2021.
He likewise assures that there will be an express lane, as provided by the law, for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
He also announced that they will be conducting some special registrations for PWDs, senior citizens and indigenous peoples, in line with their celebrations. Apart from these, the satellite registrations will continue.
Based on the data from Puerto Princesa City Comelec, the city composed of 66 barangays has 139,423 registered voters, 1,036 total precincts, 407 clustered precincts and 53 polling places.
Meanwhile, the voter’s registrations for the provinces of Batangas and Cavite are also postponed due to Taal eruptions.
