Atty. John Paul Martin, Chairperson of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) – Baguio, has expressed his strong support for the proposed Voter Education Ordinance, emphasizing its potential in raising awareness and motivating first-time voters to participate in the electoral process by registering.
Principally authored by Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, the proposed ordinance seeks to engage the first-time voters, particularly the youth, on their right to suffrage, its significance, and the proper way to exercise it.
During the public consultation on June 25, 2025, Martin expressed alarm over the extremely low registration rate among 18-year-old Baguio residents.
He drew his figures from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data focusing on 18-year-olds in Baguio City. When he cross-referenced that with the number of 18-year-old Baguio residents who registered to vote for the 2025 national and local elections, he found that only 9.5% of them were registered.
He claimed that the dismal voter registration rate among the youth had significantly contributed to the lack of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in many barangays in the city as there were not enough registered youth to qualify for SK positions. Based on 2024 reports, only 51 out of the city’s 128 barangays have SK quorum while 61 barangays have an incomplete set of SK officials and no quorum, and 16 barangays have neither an SK Chairperson nor SK kagawads.
The COMELEC official said the possible suspension of the SK and barangay elections in December 2025 would give the city more time to strengthen voter education efforts, particularly targeting first-time voters and the youth.
However, on a positive note, he mentioned that 84% of registered voters in the city had actually voted during the last elections, indicating a relatively high voter turnout which is attributed to intensified programs and campaigns that helped inform and encourage citizens to participate in the elections.
Aside from educating citizens about their right to suffrage, Martin said voter literacy will also guide them in understanding the appropriate metrics for choosing capable leaders.
“When we settle for minimum qualifications in voting for candidates, we risk reducing public service to its lowest form. But when we aim higher, the quality of governance and public service improves.”
“Let’s make the right choices starting at the barangay level kasi dito natin unang nararamdaman ang gobyerno. After that comes the city, then the national level. Mag-focus tayo sa mga bagay na ramdam natin. Kasi kung hindi natin nararamdaman ang magandang serbisyo, nawawalan tayo ng gana,” he stated.
Martin commended Cayabas for proposing the ordinance, pledging that his office is ready to provide the necessary assistance for its implementation. -Jordan G. Habbiling
The enactment of the ordinance will see the creation of a Voter Education and Empowerment Committee composed of a representative from the Baguio City Character Council, a representative from the Baguio City Peoples’ Council, a representative from the COMELEC – Baguio, and a representative from the Department of Education – Schools Division of Baguio.
Also included are three representatives from the academe, three representatives from the religious sector, the Chairperson of the city council’s Committee on Education, Creativity, ICT, Culture, and Historical Research, the SK Federation President, and three representatives from youth organizations.
The committee is tasked with leading youth engagement initiatives, organizing voter education activities, promoting integration of voter education in schools and barangays, assisting in data gathering for electoral-related programs, and performing other functions necessary to implement the ordinance.
The proposed ordinance has passed first reading and is now set for further deliberation by the city council. **Jordan G. Habbiling
