Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental is gearing up for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) by aspirants for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) set for November, as confirmed by an official on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec-Negros Oriental Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba stated that preparations for the elections will proceed despite a pending proposal to postpone the BSKE. "Until such time that we receive a formal announcement from Comelec about the postponement of the BSKE, we will continue with our activities calendared for the said elections," Aba conveyed during an interview.

The filing period for COCs for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan aspirants is scheduled from September 28 to October 5, with the campaign period slated for October 22 to 31. As part of the preparation process, Comelec is conducting an inventory of office equipment in the province, including both serviceable and non-serviceable computers, which Aba described as an "incidental significant part" of the preparations for the COC filing.

Aba highlighted that Comelec routinely conducts an annual inventory of its offices and equipment, independent of election schedules. The provincial Comelec office has also completed its inventory of official ballot boxes that will be used for the manual voting scheduled on November 2.

Prospective candidates are encouraged by Aba to complete the documentary requirements for COC filing in advance, and he advised that they may visit any Comelec office for guidance on the necessary documents. Additionally, he reminded BSKE aspirants that a birth certificate is now a mandatory attachment to the COC for the BSKE and subsequent elections.

In related developments, the Comelec-Negros Island Region, led by Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, organized an event on August 26 at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office to enhance law enforcement and operational preparedness for the BSKE 2026.