Comelec ‘Register Anywhere’ project kicks off in 8 malls

Other venues are SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila, and Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas, Quezon City. (File Photo: COMELEC/Facebook)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported Saturday the success of the pilot testing of the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) held at malls in Metro Manila, Leyte province, and the Bicol Region.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia said they received reports of high turnouts.

“We are monitoring every mall. Initially very successful. Security guards registered first. This is a good start,” he said in an interview at SM Fairview in Quezon City.

RAP is scheduled on weekends until Jan. 22, 2023, except on Dec. 24, 25 and 31, and Jan. 1.

Other venues are SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila, and Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas, Quezon City.

The provincial venues are Robinsons North in Tacloban City, SM City in Legazpi City, Albay, and Robinsons Place in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

“This aims to provide convenience and remedies to voters who are temporarily residing in areas outside their actual city, municipality, or district of residence. If the pilot will be successful, a voter can register or update their registration in any Comelec office nationwide,” Comelec Eastern Visayas Director Jose Nick Mendros said in an interview.

Mendros said they sent letters to government offices and tertiary schools based in Tacloban and nearby Palo town to inform them about the RAP.

As of October, Eastern Visayas has 3,221,370 registered voters for the barangay elections and 1,306,499 for Sangguniang Kabataan. Both polls are scheduled in October 2023.

Garcia chief reiterated his call to register early and not wait for the final phase.

“People should take advantage while it’s still early. It’s more relaxed and at the same time, you can go shopping or go around the mall afterwards. Just bring a government-issued identification. It’s easy and our RAP personnel will help you,” he said.

Registration at Comelec and satellite offices is also ongoing Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Jan. 31.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said they are coordinating with the Commission on Higher Education to have registration sites in universities and colleges while the Department of Transportation helps in information dissemination through posters at the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit stations.