The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday touted the start of the voter registration period for the 2025 midterm polls as a “success.”

In a statement, the poll body said chairperson George Erwin Garcia led the kick-off of voter registration activities at Pag-Asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan.

“It was such a success. The turn-out of registrants in all our sites was so overwhelming,” Garcia said.

The Comelec chief said the ceremonial kick-off in Pag-Asa Island shows their desire to reach out to Filipinos for them to exercise their right to suffrage, no matter how far they are.

“Hindi mahalaga kung hindi man kasingdami ang bilang ng mga botante at mga nagpaparehistro sa Pag-Asa Island gaya ng ibang mga bayan at lungsod – ang pinakamahalaga ay mabigyang buhay ng Comelec ang karapatang bumoto ng bawat Pilipino, saan man siya naroroon, malayo man o malapit, lalo na rito na napakalayo man ay nananatiling buhay at malakas ang soberaniya at kalayaan ng mahal nating Pilipinas (The number of voters and voter registrants in Pag-Asa Island is not as many as those from other towns and cities but it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that the Comelec would provide every Filipino the chance to vote, wherever they are, far or near. This area may be far but the freedom and sovereignty of our beloved Philippines remains very much alive here),” he added.

Garcia’s visit to the island dubbed “Pambansang Araw ng Botanteng Pilipino” (National Voter’s Day) was made in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government.

Simultaneous registration activities are being held in some 2,000 registration sites in the country including 170 mall registration sites of SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, and Filinvest Festival Malls.

The Register Anywhere Program (RAP) was pilot-tested on Monday in all highly urbanized cities and capital cities and towns in the country.

Aside from private establishments, the Comelec has coordinated with other government offices, religious organizations, and educational institutions for the Special Register Anywhere Program (SRAP).

The initial venues for SRAP are the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque City, and the Main Office of Comelec in Intramuros, Manila.

Aside from the nationwide registration, the procedures were undertaken in 92 Philippine posts worldwide for overseas voters.

The RAP will only be until Aug. 31 while the registration in malls and offsite and satellite hubs will end on Sept. 30. (PNA)