BACOLOD City — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) processed a total of 12,385 voter registration applications on the final day of registration on Monday, May 18.
Based on data released by Comelec-NIR per province, Negros Occidental (including Bacolod City) recorded the highest number of applications with 7,545, followed by Negros Oriental with 4,391, and Siquijor with 449.
From October 20, 2025 to May 18, 2026, Comelec-NIR processed a total of 241,422 voter registration applications across the region.
Of the total figure, Negros Occidental accounted for 164,375 applications; Negros Oriental recorded 72,081; while Siquijor logged 4,966 applications.
The Comelec emphasized the importance of voter registration, reminding Filipinos that it provides citizens the opportunity to participate in elections and contribute to meaningful change and good governance.
“It is both a right and a responsibility of every eligible Filipino citizen,” the agency said.
Bacolod City Election Officer Atty. Kathrina Trinio-Caña said many residents still went to the Comelec office on the final day of registration, although the situation remained manageable compared to previous years.
She said that unlike in past registration periods where large groups of applicants arrived in vehicles, this year’s turnout was more orderly and organized.
In Bacolod City alone, a total of 1,236 voter registration applications were processed on the last day.
The Bacolod Comelec office is scheduled to hold Election Registration Board (ERB) hearings from June 1 to June 5 to review and approve or disapprove the submitted applications.
The voter registration is part of the Comelec’s preparations for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on November 2, 2026./PN
