Comelec Registers 171 Negros Oriental Residents Under New ‘Register Anywhere’ Program

DUMAGUETE CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental has successfully registered 171 residents under its new Register Anywhere Program (RAP), aimed at facilitating voter registration for the upcoming 2025 mid-term elections.

According to Philippines News Agency, the regional election director of Comelec-Negros Island Region, the RAP is designed to allow Filipino citizens of voting age to register to vote outside their place of residence. Castillano emphasized the importance of registering before the end of August to ensure all applications are processed and validated in time. “While the regular registration of voters’ deadline is on Sept. 30, the RAP will have to end earlier because the records of registrants will have to be consolidated and forwarded to the areas where they originate for validation,” he explained.

The program is currently available in select areas, including capital cities like Dumaguete. It primarily benefits students and workers who may not be able to return to their home locales to vote on election day. Castillano also mentioned plans to leverage the upcoming Founder’s Day celebrations at Silliman University to encourage more enrollments.

Additionally, the Comelec has decided not to provide the Certificate of Voter’s Registration for free. This document, which previously cost PHP75, serves as a valid government ID and is necessary for availing of various government services, especially in the absence of a national identification card.