Lapu-Lapu City election officials have launched a four-day offsite registration drive at Gaisano Grand Plaza Mactan, beginning May 14, 2026, to encourage early voter registration for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections. The initiative aims to reduce last-minute rushes and ensure a smoother process for all eligible voters.
Peaceful Opening Day with Low Turnout
Comelec Lapu-Lapu election officer Ann Janette Lamban reported that the first day of the mall-based registration was generally peaceful, though only a small number of applicants showed up at the venue. She urged qualified voters to take advantage of the offsite registration to avoid the expected surge of applicants in the final days of the period.
“Duna pata’y tulo ka adlaw diin atong ma-apply atong application for registration aron atong ma-exercise aton right to vote this coming Barangay Election,” Lamban said, reminding residents that they still have three days to submit their applications and exercise their right to vote.
Expected Influx as Deadline Approaches
Despite the low turnout on opening day, Lamban anticipates more registrants to flock to the site as the registration period approaches its deadline on Monday, May 18. She noted that applicants often wait until the final hours to process their records, which leads to longer queues and processing delays at the registration booths. Early registration is strongly advised to avoid these inconveniences.
Registration Statistics
Since October, at least 16,985 individuals have registered in the city, with 4,553 applications still pending verification. An additional 228 registrations were recorded on Wednesday, May 13, as the local office intensifies its efforts to reach more residents before the window closes. These numbers reflect ongoing efforts to engage the community and ensure broad participation in the upcoming elections.
Venue and Accessibility
The registration activity is being held on the third floor of Gaisano Grand Plaza Mactan in Barangay Basak and will run until May 18. Comelec chose the mall venue to provide a more convenient and accessible environment for Lapu-Lapu City residents. The centralized location is expected to encourage higher participation, especially among the youth and working professionals who may find it easier to register during mall hours.
