The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cebu Province has announced a significant delay in its satellite registration for new voters, pushing the resumption of services to January 2026. This setback is a direct consequence of the severe damage inflicted by Typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025.
Offices Ravaged by Typhoon Tino
Comelec Central Visayas Director Francisco Pobe revealed in a Tuesday, December 16 interview that their offices in the municipalities of Liloan and Compostela, as well as Danao City, bore the brunt of the powerful storm. Flooding in these areas caused extensive harm, ruining critical documents and submerging election equipment.
Director Pobe explained that the immediate priority for the regional office is to retrieve digital backups of the damaged records. Simultaneously, they have formally requested replacement equipment and funds for repairs from the Comelec Central Office in Manila to restore operational capacity.
Recovery and Reconstruction Efforts Underway
To accelerate the return of voter registration services, Comelec Central Visayas is actively seeking assistance from local government units. The focus is on renovating and repairing the storm-battered offices to create a functional environment for both staff and applicants.
This voter registration drive is a crucial preparatory step for the upcoming 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections. The delay underscores the tangible impact of natural disasters on democratic processes and public services.
Registration Numbers and Targets
Despite the challenges, the registration process had begun earlier. Since it started on December 13, the Central Visayas office has managed to accommodate approximately 53,500 new applicants. However, this figure represents only about 20 percent of their ambitious target, which aims to register between 150,000 to 200,000 new voters in the region.
The postponement highlights the ongoing recovery efforts needed in parts of Cebu and serves as a reminder for potential voters to prepare their documents for when the satellite registration services finally resume next year.
