VOTERS who wanted to vote early today for the Barangay and SK Elections in Davao City, particularly at the Buhangin Central Elementary School, flocked to the school as early as they could to cast their votes.
The school’s principal, who also stands as the head of the electoral board of the said precinct, Ms. Mary Germaine Alberto, noted that Brgy. Buhangin Proper is among the city’s highly populated villages which has a large voting population in Davao.
“In Buhangin Central, we have a registered voters which is regular 16,606 while the SK voters from 15 years old to 30 years old 4,102,” according to Mary Germaine Alberto, Principal, Buhangin Central, Elementary School.
“So far, our school has already set up the following which is the room and the precinct assignment, and we have a waiting room for precinct and we have a vicinity map which is located in the PAGCOR building, and we have a voters list, and notice of canvas and proclamation,” Alberto added.
Among the voters who voted in the said precinct is the grandson of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and son of Rep. Duterte, Omar Duterte– who ran unopposed as Village Chief. The young Duterte praised the implementation of the poll in the school, and also the security of the said place.
“It was all smooth actually. I didn’t have a hard time. Just when I arrived there were a lot of people assisting me. I didn’t get special treatment at all. They were just pointing where, where to find my name,” Omar Duterte, Candidate said.
“It was tight as expected, it’s very safe here. You could feel the safety through the guards, multiple patrols outside,” he added.
Meanwhile, the voters also commended the precinct’s excellent management as well as the security measures implemented during the day.
“It’s really good, they will really accommodate you to help you find your precinct, so even if it’s hot, it’s okay,” Glaidel Fabular, Voter said.
“Just like the last time, [the voters] are secured, because there are guards everywhere, so wherever you are in the vicinity, you are secured,” she added.
Sen. Bong Go hopes winning candidates have love, concern for people
In addition to these, Sen. Christopher Bong Go, who also voted in the same school, hoped that village leaders who would win, have true empathy for the people and stressed the importance of using the people’s rights to choose their leaders.
“I hope they chose the candidates who love and care about the people of the community, because barangay-level services are very important, because they are the ones who bring services to our people, because the LGU, the mayor, and the governor sometimes cannot accommodate them anymore. They are the government’s frontline services,” according to Sen. Bong Go.
Overall, the conduct of elections at the Buhangin Central Elem School was peaceful and smooth, which the voters and electoral officers are thankful for.
