CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) encourages the public to register as voters through its Register Anywhere Program (RAP).

It is a one-stop shop that allows an individual to register to vote regardless of their current residence.

City of San Fernando, Pampanga (CSFP) Election Officer June Guiao underscored that it is important for Filipinos, especially the youth, to exercise their right to suffrage considering their role in nation-building.

“It is a privilege for a citizen to be able to vote for the officials that they want to serve the Philippines. We are lucky because other countries don’t have the right to do so, so it's really important for them to register and to participate in the elections,” he said.

RAP aims to make it easier for Filipinos to exercise their right to vote in the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).  Comelec CSFP will be spearheading a RAP activity at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga on April 1 to 6 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Meanwhile, the public may still register as voters at Comelec CSFP’s office during Mondays to Saturdays at 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Registration will be until September 30, 2024.

The office will be closed, however, from March 28 to 30 in observance of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday.

To be eligible, Filipinos must be at least 18 years old on election day (May 12, 2025), have been a resident of the Philippines for at least one year, and should have been a resident in the area where they propose to vote for at least six months preceding the 2025 NLE.

Applicants must fill up the application form, which is available free of charge at Comelec offices or can be downloaded at the Comelec website to be printed on long bond paper  (8 in. x 13 in.).

Along with the application form, registrants must also provide valid IDs with their signature. (CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3 with  John Earl Zyron Retrato and Eighnjel Carylle Reyes, interns)