Albay: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Albay recorded 36,918 voter registration applicants from Jan. 5 to March 21, driven by efforts to bring services closer to communities.

According to Philippines News Agency, of the total applicants, 15,179 registered for the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) elections, while 21,739 applied for regular registration. The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections are scheduled for Nov. 2, with youth voters required to be aged 15 to 30 years.

Maria Aurea Bo-Bunao, the Comelec Albay provincial election supervisor, stated that personnel are conducting satellite registrations in every town and city. "We are going to schools, targeting first-time voters from Grade 10 onwards, and to all barangay (villages). Comelec personnel, election officers, and election assistants are conducting satellite registrations in every town and city," she said in an interview Tuesday.

Bo-Bunao emphasized that Comelec Albay will continue bringing services directly to barangays until the May 18 registration deadline. "It is very important to register since it is a requirement to exercise your right to suffrage," she said.

Among local government units in the province, Legazpi City had the highest number of applicants with 5,931, followed by Tabaco City with 4,726 and Ligao City with 3,236.