The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Central Visayas has announced that satellite voter registration services in several areas of Cebu Province are set to resume in 2026. This follows significant disruptions caused by the severe flooding from Typhoon Tino last November 4, 2025.
Offices Damaged, Equipment Lost in Flooding
In an interview on Tuesday, December 16, Comelec Region 7 Director Francisco Pobe detailed the impact of the storm. He confirmed that Comelec offices in the towns of Liloan and Compostela, as well as Danao City, sustained heavy damage during the floods.
Satellite registration is a crucial service where Comelec sets up temporary sites in public or private buildings. This allows individuals who cannot travel to their local Office of the Election Officer (OEO) to still register as voters.
Director Pobe explained that the floodwaters, particularly severe in Danao City and Liloan, destroyed vital documents and ruined office equipment. Computers and printers were among the items damaged or lost.
Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Registration
The regional office managed to secure digital backups of some critical documents. However, many paper-based application forms were rendered unusable by the water. To address the losses, the Comelec-7 office has formally requested the central office in Manila for replacement equipment and funds for repairs.
Comelec is also coordinating with the affected local government units (LGUs) to seek assistance in renovating the damaged offices and speeding up the overall recovery process.
Despite the setback for satellite registration, Pobe assured the public that on-site voter registration at the main OEOs in the affected areas continues without interruption. This registration drive is a key part of the preparations for the upcoming 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Who Can Register and National Targets
To be eligible, applicants must be Filipino citizens who will be at least 18 years old on or before the November 2026 BSKE. Registration is conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at all functional OEOs and future satellite sites.
As of December 13, Comelec-7 has recorded 53,524 new voter applicants in Central Visayas. This figure represents roughly 20 percent of the region's target, which is set between 150,000 and 200,000 new registrants.
Director Pobe encouraged all qualified individuals, especially the youth eligible for the Sangguniang Kabataan polls, to register early and avoid the last-minute rush.
On a national scale, data from the Comelec central office shows a strong turnout. From October 20 to December 14, a total of 962,615 Filipinos applied for voter registration nationwide. Of this number, 739,333 registered for the barangay elections, while 223,282 applied as SK voters.
The nationwide voter registration period will continue until May 18, 2026, with the Comelec aiming to register at least 1.4 million new voters across the Philippines.
