The Commission on Elections (Comelec) – Negros Island Region (NIR) is celebrating National Women’s Month this March to honor women and young girls through special activities.
Comelec-NIR election director Lionel Marco Castillano told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Wednesday that election officers across the region were instructed to undertake these simple but meaningful activities throughout the month.
“I have instructed the election officers to conduct special voters’ registration for women and young girls, giving them priority, this month, and for all Comelec personnel to wear purple every Wednesday,” Castillano said.
The Comelec is currently conducting voter registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in November.
The registration will end on May 31 and will not be extended, Castillano said.
Different Comelec offices in the region have also devised several strategies to draw in female registrants while honoring them this month.
In Bacong, Negros Oriental, the Office of the Election Officer is giving away handkerchiefs, which serve as special souvenir reminding of the courage, as well as “soft and gentle, symbolizing care, grace, and compassion” of women.
“Like the hanky, a woman may be gentle, but she carries the strength to stand, lead, and transform society,” the Comelec-Bacong said in a social media post.
The Comelec in Pamplona, Negros Oriental is giving away hand sanitizers, combs, hair accessories, and hand fans.
In Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, the Office of the Regional Election Director is offering bottled water and snacks to women registrants.
Castillano noted that women comprise a significant number of registered voters in the Negros Island Region.
Data made available by his office on Wednesday showed that in the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor, 71,560 women and 63,468 men, or a total of 135,028, had registered for the BSKE.
Meanwhile, under the Register Anywhere Program, Comelec data showed that in the NIR, 467 females and 364 males, totaling 831, had registered so far. (PNA)