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| The Eastern Visayas Regional Joint Security Control Center prepares for the upcoming 2023 synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Photo: Comelec/Facebook |
EASTERN VISAYAS - The Eastern Visayas Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) is intensifying its efforts to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process for the upcoming 2023 synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Eastern Visayas.
Chaired by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Jose Nick Mendros, the RJSCC convened on August 4 for its initial meeting, marking the start of a series of regular gatherings. The primary objective is to evaluate and enhance the preparations of various agencies entrusted with guaranteeing a peaceful and organized village election.
Mendros, emphasizing the magnitude of the task, compared the BSKE to national and local elections, highlighting the increased number of voters, candidates, precincts, and teachers involved. He emphasized the need to create an environment of security and freedom from intimidation for voters, urging community involvement to prevent disruptions.
With the region housing 4,365 4,365 barangays (villages), voters will be responsible for selecting 8,730 village chiefs (Chairpersons) and SK chairpersons, as well as 61,110 village and youth council members.
Brig. Gen. Vincent Calanoga, the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional director, echoed the call for community mobilization and the involvement of stakeholders and non-government organizations. Calanoga expressed a commitment to maintaining security preparations, focusing on internal security operations, and emphasizing anti-criminality measures.
In addition to Comelec and PNP, the RJSCC brings together representatives from the Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.
Simultaneously, local election officers across the region are taking steps to guide BSKE candidates through properly filing certificates of candidacy (COC) and statements of contributions and expenditures.
The Comelec 2023 BSKE calendar outlines key dates: the election period and gun ban enforcement will span from August 28 to November 29, while COCs can be filed from August 28 to September 2. On October 30, Election Day, voting will occur between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Immediate counting, canvassing of votes, and proclamation of winners are slated to follow the polls' closure. The deadline for filing the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures is November 29.
Campaigning will be prohibited from September 3 to October 18, followed by an official campaign period from October 19 to 28. A final campaign hiatus is scheduled from October 29 to 30, accompanied by restrictions on the sale, purchase, or consumption of intoxicating liquor. —iTacloban (Source: PNA)