IN A bid to encourage more women to register as voters and cast their votes, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, August 23, ordered all local government units (LGUs) to open their day care centers for the entirety of the voter registration period and during the May 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10581, the commission said all LGUs must open their day care centers and readily recieve children of mothers, who are looking to register as voters and cast their votes on Election Day.

"All LGUs, specifically provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays, thru the DILG, are hereby ordered by the Commission to open their day care centers during the registration period and on May 11, 2020," said the Comelec.

It explained that the directive comes as one of the main obstacles to women's participation and voting during elections is the lack of caregiver for their children.

"Most mothers have difficulty finding somebody to take care of their children while they cast their votes," said the Comelec.

Under the resolution, day care centers should operate during the registration period, which is from August 1 to September 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Election Day, day care centers must also be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The poll body said that during the said days, day care centers shall continue their standard operations and regular functions.

In addition, the Comelec said day care centers must also provide healthy food and drinks for the children left under their care during Election Day.

During the May 2019 national and local elections, there were some 31.8 million female registered voters. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)