THE Commission on Elections-Davao (Comelec-Davao) will resume issuing voter’s certificates to registered voters starting June 15, 2020.
Comelec-Davao spokesperson Krisna Samantha Caballero told SunStar Davao in a phone interview that under Comelec en banc issued Resolution No. 10672, all of its offices under general community quarantine (GCQ), modified GCQ (MGCQ), or no community quarantine in place, were instructed to resume issuing voter’s certificate.
Caballero said this would address constant request for voter's certificate to be used as an important document in different transactions, especially with the strict quarantine measures brought about by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic
"Maraming humihingi (many have been asking from our office) for the voter's certification as valid identification," she said in a phone interview.
However, the Comelec official said voter's registration for the upcoming Presidential, and Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections is still suspended until June 30.
Following the resumption of their operations, Caballero said Comelec will adapt health safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
She said these measures include the installation of glass windows or plastic sheet barriers and hand sanitation; daily disinfection of all office furniture and equipment; and posting of clear and visible signs about wearing face masks/shields, regular hand washing, physical distancing, and other preventive measures.
She also said a “no face mask/shield, no transaction policy” and strict social distancing rules will also be implemented in the said venues.
Caballero also said voters, who are senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), and others needing assistance, can have companions, provided they also wear face masks.
She also said Comelec allowed the vulnerable groups to get their voter’s certificates through an authorized person with a Special Power of Attorney or an authorization letter with a valid ID of both the requesting party and the representative.
Due to the office's limited space, Caballero said that according to the memo, they are allowed to put up temporary offices to cater to more clients.
"Pero tingnan muna natin 'yung influx ng mga tao kasi 'pag fully operational na, with the resumption of the voter's registration, mahirap kasi iyan [observance of physical distancing] (we'll look first how the voter's influx would turn out because once we become fully operational, with the resumption of the voter's registration, observance of physical distancing is a challenge on our part)," Caballero said.
With the clamor of some to have the registration online, she said they cannot do that because they would still require physical appearance for the biometrics and the capturing of photos.
She, however, said the public is urged to inquire in Comelec's public assistance desk through phone and online.
"Kung may mga katanungan sila (If ever they have queries), instead of visiting our office, they can just call first or inquire online, para kung sigurado ka na especially sa mga requirement mo (so that when you are complete with the prescribed requirement), it would be convenient for them and for us to lessen the crowd due to our limited space)," Caballero said.
While Comelec still has more time in preparation for the 2022 elections, the official said their office is still adjusting due to the pandemic.
She admitted that it might pose several changes but it is still not a factor for postponement since it is mandated by the Constitution.
"Unlike sa barangay na puwede ma-postpone, [but] this one is already mandated by the Constitution. So we are still doing our usual preparations for the upcoming elections," Caballero said.
Comelec-Davao suspended its operations in early March this year following the declaration of a state of public health emergency in the country due to Covid-19.
The deadline for the voters’ registration is set in September 2021.
Caballero said they expect that the 87,000 deactivated voters last year would register again this year for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections set for 2022.