NAMFREL holds registration of first time voters at San Beda College

Aimed at enticing students’ participation in the 2010 national elections, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) held a registration drive for first time voters on Friday, at San Beda College (SBC), Mendiola.

Former Ambassador Henrietta de Villa, NAMFREL-PPCRV national chairperson has cited the significance of the place and the participation of students in the electoral activity.

“Mendiola where San Beda is located has been a traditional site for the manifestation of the Filipinos advocacy for freedom and democracy. It is also the cradle of student formation. I am hopeful that this special registration of young voters will signal the pro-active engagement of our nation’s Bagong BIDA—the Filipino youth voters,” De Villa said.

The activity named Bagong BIDA be the change Botanteng Pilipino-Magpalista Ka is an ongoing joint project of PPCRV, NAMFREL, CEAP and COMELEC.

Mr. Albert Oasan, National Service Training Program (NSTP) faculty facilitator of San Beda College and head of NAMFREL Manila Chapter said the registration campaign themed “Guiding First Time Voters Towards Vigilance and Responsible Voting”, was in line with NSTP Week.

NSTP is a curriculum-based initiative aimed at persuading students to render community service.

“We are encouraging our students to be involved in community initiatives that promote volunteerism and vigilance in safeguarding the electoral process, which is the goal of NSTP,” Oasan said.

Around 200 first time voters from the 4th and 6th districts of Manila registered in the Satellite Registration Center COMELEC set up inside SBC campus.

Aside from Bedans, other participating students come from the University of the East, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, San Sebastian College, Centro Escolar University and Far Eastern University.

Resource speakers for the whole-day affair include COMELEC Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Leonardo Leonida.

The two commissioners also monitored the conduct of registration which started at 10 a.m. in the morning and ended at 5 p.m.