Deactivated voters were urged Monday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to take advantage of the forthcoming registration for the Oct. 25 barangay polls.

“Now is the best opportunity for those who are deactivated so that they can vote in the coming barangay elections,” Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said.

The poll official said he hoped the momentum and interest gained in the last May 10 national and local elections would encourage deactivated voters to renew their registration from Aug. 1 to 10.

“Due to the increase in participation seen in the May 10 polls, we hope this would carry the momentum so we can have as many voters as possible,” said Larrazabal.

The Comelec reminded the public that applicants must personally appear before the election officers to state their name and exact address.

Identification documents that will be recognized include only current office, postal, student, senior citizen, SSS/GSIS, Integrated Bar of the Philippines identification cards, as well as NBI clearance, driver’s license, passport, and Professional Regulation Commission license.

According to the Comelec Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD), at least 5.6 million voters were deactivated as of July, 2000.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay said the Local Government Code should be amended in a bid to further strengthen local governance in addressing the country’s national problems.

Speaking during the 43rd National Assembly of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP), Binay said amendments are “badly needed” in the Local Government Code.

“For our local governments to be effective agents of change, badly needed amendments should be introduced in our local government code in order to make our local government units (LGUs) more responsive, more meaningful and more effective,” Binay said.

“These amendments, I believe, will push our LGUs across the halfway point in attaining genuine and meaningful local autonomy. These amendments will make them effective partners of the national government in implementing meaningful programs for our people,” he added. (with a report by Madel R. Sabater)