To increase the women’s participation in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled on October 23, 2017, the Commission on Election’s Gender and Development Committee (COMELEC-GAD), in cooperation with the Philippine Commission on Women and the Local Government of Valenzuela, spearheaded a satellite voter’s registration exclusively for women.

            Coinciding the celebration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, the one-day satellite registration activity was held at the Valenzuela City Social Hall. Women and girls aged 15-17 years old registered for SK elections while 18 and above registered for the regular elections.

            The COMELEC-GAD has reiterated that inclusivity is the guiding principle of the commission. All qualified voters, including women of right age shall be given the opportunity to exercise their right to suffrage and choose their leaders without discrimination in any form. Macky Fontanilla, Valenzuela City Election Assistant has commended the initiative saying that the one-day satellite registration is a way to recognize the importance of women and the role they play in social development.

            The special satellite registration in Valenzuela produced a total of 430 registered women voters, 228 from which are from District I and 202 from District II.  As of January 2017, there are a total of 149,773 registered voters in District I and 175,795 registered voters in District II totaling to 325,568 voters in Valenzuela City.