Following the timeline we had set for the three-part joint voter registration program we forged with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), we launched the voters’ registration assistance campaign last Saturday, October 10, at the San Ildefonso Parish in Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati. The PPCRV is the designated citizens’ arm of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for the national elections of May 2022.
Pres. Peter Manzano was there with First Ann Pam for the launch. Also in attendance were Dr. Arwin Serrano, PPCRV trustee; Pres. Jun Obong of RC Paranaque Central and Pres. Cath Ronquillo of RC Makati Olympia; Fr. Antonio Molavin, S.D.B, San Ildefonso Parish Priest; Atty. Anthonette S. Aceret, COMELEC representative; and Pres. Prame Cato, IPP Kash Gana, PP Rose Pama and Mark Cato of the Rotaract Club of Makati (RAC Makati).
An orientation program started right after the 8:00 AM Mass celebrated by Fr. Molavin, with Pres. Peter breaking the ice with brief remarks welcoming everyone and giving a briefer on the project—its participants and objectives, followed by messages by Fr. Molavin, Dr. Serrano, and Atty Aceret.
Pres. Peter, who had expected a turnout of 30 max on the project launch, was pleasantly surprised to see 127 would-be voters from Brgy. Pio del Pilar and neighboring Brgy. Bangkal lining up to register. The 8-11 AM schedule stretched to 3:00 PM because of the large number of applicants.
The RAC Makati Rotaractors busied themselves attending to the registrants, handing out application forms (three copies per registrant) and health declaration forms and lending assistance with accomplishing them. The applicants were either first-time voters, transfer voters, or those requesting reactivation after failing to vote in the last election.
After making sure the applicants carried valid IDs, the Rotaractors saw to it that the applicants were transported to the Comelec office for the required biometrics signature and photo. The Club had provided two vans to shuttle the registrants to and from the Comelec office.
Mindful of the Covid 19 health and safety protocols put in place by the Comelec, rules were complied with to the letter: strict temperature checks that disallowed anyone with a reading of 37.5 from coming into the designated area; social distancing that limited the number of applicants; and hand sanitizing with alcohol.
Comments