No voter’s certification fee for Mindanao residents

MANILA, Philippines - Mindanao residents can now get their voter’s certificate for free.

“The commission resolves to exempt all registered voters in cities and municipalities in Mindanao in paying P75...for the issuance of voter’s certificates until otherwise ordered by the commission en banc,” the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said in a resolution issued recently.

The resolution was approved in view of the declaration of martial law in Mindanao on May 23 due to the crisis in Marawi City,  the Comelec said.

Voters were advised to  claim their certificates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Comelec offices where they are registered.

Registered voters of Marawi who are staying at evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities may claim their certificates at the offices of the provincial election supervisors in Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, respectively.

The Comelec said the certificate should be signed by the issuing office, bear a dry seal of the commission and include a statement that it was issued free of charge.

The Comelec earlier said it would provide voter’s certificates to evacuees from Marawi City. 

Authorities are strictly implementing a  “no ID, no entry” policy for Marawi residents fleeing the fighting between government troops and Maute militants.

Several people had been arrested for allegedly presenting fake IDs while entering or leaving Iligan, the port closest to Marawi.