ILOILO City – For the first time in Ilonggo history, mall voting will be implemented in this city during the May 12, 2025 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced during the Barangay Assembly for the Mall Voting Program held yesterday, April 25, at the University of the Philippines Visayas–Iloilo City Campus Auditorium.
The initiative aims to provide a more accessible, comfortable, and convenient voting experience, particularly for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women. It is also expected to ease congestion in traditional polling places such as public schools.
Here are the four malls in the city designated as official voting centers and the specific barangays and precincts they will serve:
* SM City Iloilo (Barangay Buhang Taft North, Mandurriao) – Precincts 0816A, 0816B, 0817A, 0818B, 0820A, 0821A, 0822A, and 0822B
* Robinsons Place Jaro (Barangay San Vicente, Jaro) – Precincts 0502A, 0502B, 0503A, 0503B, 0503C, 0504A, 0505A, 0506A, 0506PI
* Festive Walk Mall Iloilo (Barangay Airport, Mandurriao) – Precincts 0783A, 0784A, 0784PI, 0785A, 0785B, 0786A, 0786B, 0787A, 0787B, 0788A, 0788B, 0789A, 0789B, 0790A, 0791A, 0792A, 0793A
* Robinsons Place Iloilo (City Proper) – Barangay Roxas Village (Precincts 0133A and 0133B); Barangay Magsaysay (Precincts 0077A, 0078A, 0079A, and 0080A); Barangay Kauswagan (Precincts 0064A, 0065A, 0066A, and 0066B); Barangay Osmeña (Precincts 0102A, 0102B, and 0103A); and Barangay San Jose (Precincts 0146A, 0146B, and 0147A)
According to Atty. Pinky Jevini G. Tentativa, Iloilo City Election Officer IV, the implementation of mall voting in the city followed a series of public consultations that garnered positive responses from residents, many of whom expressed willingness to vote in malls.
Tentativa emphasized the vital role of mall partners and key stakeholders — including the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) — in ensuring the smooth implementation of the program through joint planning, inspection, and coordination.
For his part, Atty. Reinier B. Layson, Provincial Election Supervisor IV, assured the public that comprehensive preparations and contingency plans are in place to guarantee a safe, orderly, and efficient voting process.
He also noted that mall voting operations will not interfere with regular mall-goers, activities, and business operations.
Voting in malls will follow the official Comelec voting hours, which run from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., giving Ilonggos ample time to cast their votes./PN
