Date: 27 February 2009
Overseas Absentee Voters (OAV) need not go through the hassle of going to their respective consulates and embassies overseas to register. They can do it here even before they leave for abroad.
Beverly Anne Dungo, 24, was processing her papers Tuesday inside the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) building when she learned that the Commission on Elections is now accepting applications for registration there for departing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Dungo, who will soon be leaving for the Middle East to work as a flight attendant, said she immediately grabbed the opportunity to apply for OAV registration at the POEA fearing that she might find no time to do it when she starts working abroad.
"Since andito naman na ako sa POEA, nagparegister na din ako," Dungo said.
OFW Deana de Castro, meanwhile, applied for OAV registration while waiting for her number to be called at the POEA's "Balik Manggagawa Center." De Castro was processing her overseas employment certificate (OEC) at the POEA as she will be leaving for Rome, Italy on Saturday.
"Maganda na may registration na dito sa POEA. Hindi na mahihirapan ang mga OFW kung gusto nilang magparehistro at bumoto," said de Castro as she finishes her registration at the COMELEC booth.
Election Officer Ma. Bernadette P. Llamas says the COMELEC will be accepting applications for OAV registration at the POEA until August 31, 2009. She said OFW applicants need only bring their passports or seaman's books when they register.