The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is finally getting a new headquarters for its regional branch in Calamba City, Laguna.
Not exactly new, however.
The chosen site: the mothballed Calabarzon Government Regional Center in Barangay Mapagong.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia and Calamba City Mayor Roseller Rizal recently signed a Deed of Usufruct Agreement that allows the commission to establish its permanent regional office at the Calabarzon Government Regional Center.
Garcia said the initiative is part of Comelec’s nationwide effort to establish permanent regional offices that will serve as “one-stop shops” for election-related services.
He noted that the Comelec 4-A office had been operating from rented spaces across Laguna, emphasizing the need for a permanent facility.
The move, he said, would enhance accessibility and efficiency in delivering public services.
“The establishment of the Comelec regional office here in Calamba City will bring convenience not only to the people of Laguna but also to nearby provinces, as Calamba is centrally located in the region,” Garcia said.
Rizal, meanwhile, expressed full support for the project, saying the usufruct agreement between the city government and Comelec demonstrates their shared commitment to improving public service delivery and strengthening democratic institutions.
“This forms part of our continuing partnership with national agencies that aim to bring government services closer to the people,” he said.
The Calabarzon Government Regional Center was completed in 2015, but later fell into disuse due to legal issues and the lack of direct access from the center to downtown Calamba City and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the building was also used as an isolation facility for patients exhibiting mild to severe symptoms of the virus.
Register anywhere
During the event, Comelec reintroduced the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) to boost voter registration by making the process more accessible and convenient.
Eligible citizens can register as new voters, transfer precincts, or update their registration data at designated sites regardless of where they live.
Among the sites chosen for the program are two SM Malls in the province, including SM City Calamba and SM City Santa Rosa.
The "Register Anywhere Program" is open until May 18, 2026.
(With report from PNA)
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