COMELEC holds voter education, ACM demonstration for IPs in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Region 2, in collaboration with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA-2) and the 95th Infantry Battalion (95IB), Philippine Army conducted a Voter Education and Automated Counting Machine (ACM) demonstration for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of Barangay Minanga, Penablanca, Cagayan.

The activity, held at the Barangay’s Multipurpose Gym, aimed to equip the local IP community with the knowledge and confidence to participate in the electoral process by familiarizing them with voting machines used in elections. 

This initiative is part of COMELEC’s efforts to ensure that all eligible voters, regardless of background, understand their rights and the voting process.

In her opening message, Regional Director Plormelinda Olet of NICA-2 emphasized the importance of voting as a fundamental right and urged the IPs to actively participate in the upcoming elections.

 “Every person has a right to vote, and it is vital that you exercise this right,” she said. 

Capt. Mark Anthony Capiyoc of the 95IB, PA, echoed this sentiment, noting that the activity was a joint effort by government agencies to empower the IP community, raising awareness about their rights, particularly their right to vote.

Barangay captain Alvin Simangan expressed his gratitude to COMELEC-2 for choosing their barangay as a pilot area for the ACM demonstration.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Atty. Ederlino Tabilas of COMELEC-2 emphasized that every vote count and urged the IP sector to use their right to vote. He reminded the participants that during elections, all citizens are equal, and each vote holds the same significance. 

The ACM demonstration served as the highlight of the activity. The participants were given copies of the ballot to personally experience and witness how the ACM works. (ALM/PIA 2)