Naga city: The Commission on Elections in Bicol (Comelec-5) reported on Wednesday over 32,000 voter registration applications from October 20 to December 2 across the region's six provinces.

According to Philippines News Agency, the number includes new registrations, transfers, and corrections for both regular voters and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) applicants. As of December 2, there were 573 new registrations for SK applicants aged 15 to 17; of these, 328 were male and 245 were female. For regular voters aged 18 and above, the region saw 328 new applications, with 167 from females and 161 from males. Additionally, there were 335 transfer and correction applications for males and 486 for females, contributing to the total of regular voter transactions.

Camarines Sur led with the highest number of processed applications, totaling 11,949, followed by Albay with 6,462, Sorsogon with 3,291, Masbate with 6,516, Camarines Norte with 2,736, and Catanduanes with 1,186. Comelec-5 also recorded 13 Weekly Registration Assistance Program (RAP) and 2,382 from Satellite Registration events to date.

Comelec, through its provincial offices, is processing applications ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle, reminding the public, especially first-time voters, to register and update their records promptly to avoid difficulties and long queues. On Tuesday, Comelec Albay signed a memorandum of agreement with a local mall to expand services for processing registrations related to the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections in 2026.

Comelec Albay Election Supervisor, lawyer Maria Aurea Bo-Bunao, stated that the signing is part of the preparations for the 2026 BSKE elections. "With prior coordination with Ayala Mall, we hope to add more precincts. Currently, we are still in the registration phase. Afterward, we will propose transferring an additional precinct to Ayala Mall, with their consent," she said.