Students of Mangaldan National High School queued inside their gym as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) brought its continuing voter registration drive directly to the campus on Monday, November 17, 2025.

COMELEC officers visited the school to make registration easier for first-time voters ahead of the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Many students said they wanted to register early so they can take part in future polls.

Sheena Janesca Prestoza, one of the students who registered, said she wanted to learn more about government and exercise her right to vote.

“Para po maging aware din po tayo sa politics at magkaroon din tayo ng karapatang bumoto,” she said.

Mangaldan Municipal Election Officer Gloria Cadiente said bringing the registration drive to schools helps avoid long lines at the COMELEC office and ensures students do not lose study hours just to register.

“Para po hindi na mahirapan yung mga registrants natin at may mandate din ang COMELEC sa amin para hindi mahirapan yung mga bata at hindi ma-consume yung mga oras nila na magpunta sa office,” she said.

The COMELEC aims to register around 200 students from the school. After completing their rounds in secondary schools, election officers also plan to visit barangays to reach more residents.

Cadiente said taking the registration campaign closer to communities will give voters no reason to skip the process.

“We will be going also to barangays para wala na silang dahilan na hindi magparehistro yung mga tao. If they are busy, punta lang sila sa barangay hall, makakapagrehistro na sila,” she said.

COMELEC targets to register at least 5,000 voters across Mangaldan as part of its ongoing efforts to expand voter participation.