ILOILO — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Iloilo Province has ordered the transfer of voter registration operations in 12 election offices, including Iloilo City, to larger and more accessible venues as authorities brace for an expected surge of registrants ahead of the May 18 deadline.
The move, announced by Comelec-Iloilo Province led by Provincial Election Supervisor Reinier Layson, covers 12 out of the 44 Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) in the province and aims to decongest registration centers and speed up processing in the final days of registration for the 2026 elections.
According to Comelec-Iloilo Province, the temporary transfer of registration venues is being implemented pursuant to Section 4 of Comelec Resolution No. 11177 to ensure a more orderly and efficient registration process amid the anticipated influx of applicants.
“The transfer to larger and more accessible venues aims to address the current surge in applicants as the registration deadline approaches. The concerned Offices of the Election Officer have duly posted notices and coordinated the transfer in accordance with existing rules and procedures,” part of the announcement of Comelec Iloilo Province stated.
Among the affected areas are Tigbauan, Alimodian, Leon, Pavia, Badiangan, Cabatuan, Janiuay, Dueñas, Passi City, Ajuy, Concepcion, and Iloilo City.
Registration operations in these areas will temporarily shift to sports arenas, municipal gyms, convention centers, evacuation centers, covered gyms, and shopping malls to accommodate more applicants.
* Tigbauan – Tigbauan Sports Arena, from May 13 to 16, and May 18
* Alimodian – Alimodian Central Elementary School Covered Gym, from May 15 to 16, and May 18
* Leon – Leon Municipal Covered Gym, from May 15 to 16, and May 18
* Pavia – Robinsons Place Pavia, from May 13 to 16, and May 18
* Badiangan – Badiangan Municipal Social Hall, from May 13 to 16, and May 18
* Cabatuan – Cabatuan Convention Center on May 18 only
* Janiuay – Barangay Golgota, on May 18 only
* Dueñas – Evacuation Center, Poblacion D, on May 18 only
* Passi City –Passi City Arena, Poblacion Ilawod and Barangay Punong Covered Gym, Barangay Punong, from May 11 to 16 and May 18
* Ajuy – Ramon M. Rojas Memorial Gymnasium, Poblacion, Ajuy, from May 16 and May 18
* Concepcion – Municipal Auditorium, Poblacion, Concepcion, from May 15 to 16, and May 18
* Iloilo City – Robinson Place, City Proper, on May 13 to 16 and May 18.
Meanwhile, Comelec clarified that all other election offices in Iloilo province not included in the transfer order will continue voter registration in their regular offices.
The poll body also reminded the public that May 18, 2026 is the final day of voter registration and urged qualified individuals to register early to avoid overcrowding in the last few daythe
Comelec-Iloilo Province encouraged the public to coordinate directly with their respective Offices of the Election Officer for guidance and additional information regarding registration schedules and venues.
Under Comelec rules, regular voters must be Filipino citizens who are at least 18 years old on or before Election Day and have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in their barangay for at least six months.
Sangguniang Kabataan voters, meanwhile, must be 15 to 30 years old on or before Election Day and residents of the barangay for at least six months./PN
