Registrants overwhelm Comelec

CEBU, Philippines - Due to the unexpected volume of registrants at the opening of Commission on Elections registration for the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay elections, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama suggested Plaza Independencia as a holding area to minimize congestion and long lines.

As agreed, registrants will be ferried from their barangays to Plaza Independencia where they will fill out query forms which will identify their registration as either new, transfer or reactivation.

“This will avoid congestion and long line at the Comelec office. We will put up more tents so in case it rains like now, we can secure the people. Since we see garbage, we will have the Department of Public Services come into the picture together with CITOM to man the traffic, and our quick response team on standby for emergencies,” Rama told reporters.

In addition, a command center will be created on site where CITOM, BPER, PNP and other pertinent personnel will be on standby for any assistance that the registrants might need.

A sound system will also be put up for important announcements and instructions.

Despite the light rain, Rama yesterday visited the registration site where some 2,500 to 3,000 first-time registrants for Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay elections this October waited.

The mayor worried that the inconvenience may cause possible trauma among first-time voters.

“We might as well tell everybody the  truth. Talk to them aron makahibaw sila. Tell them that we have exceeded the maximum number for the day. Akong gitan-aw ani, with the number of people nga atong paulion karon, sakto ra ni sila para ugma nga registration,” Rama said.

With Rama during the ocular inspection was Cebu City Police Office deputy chief for operations Supt. Carmelo Dayon, CITOM head of operations Joy Tumulak, City Administrator Atty. Jose Marie Poblete, and PROBE chief Raquel Arce.

The group was assisted by Comelec South District Election Officer Atty. Edwin Cadungog  and North District Election Officer Atty. Marchel Sarno.

Cadungog said that with only two data capturing machines, his office could only process about 800 transactions in a day making it only 1,600 for both South and North districts. Between 2,500 to 3,000 showed up for registration during the first day.

Registration for the October SK and Barangay elections will last until July 31.

Upon learning that Cebu City ideally needs about 20 capturing machines to materialize the idea of having satellite registration sites in barangays and establishments when the city was only given two per district, Rama vowed to help in lobbying for extension on registration considering Cebu City has only four capturing machines.

“I called up COMELEC Manila. They are currently busy with SONA of the president but I will definitely call back to ask for an extension of registration,” Rama said.

Yesterday morning’s huge volume of registrants pushing against the Comelec south district office also caused a glass window to break.  (FREEMAN)