Chaos Erupts at Bacolod Youth Voter Registration as Thousands Queue
Massive youth turnout for BSKE 2025 voter registration leads to chaos in Bacolod City, prompting calls for system reform as thousands of young citizens queue for registration.
Young voters queue outside Robinsons Place Bacolod for BSKE 2025 registration
A massive turnout for the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) voter registration led to chaos at Robinsons Place in Bacolod City on Saturday, highlighting the urgent need for improved registration systems in major urban centers.
Medical Emergency Amid Registration Rush
The situation turned critical when a female registrant lost consciousness while waiting in line, requiring immediate medical attention from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The incident, similar to recent crowd management challenges seen during major public events in other cities, highlighted the risks of inadequate crowd control measures.
Youth Participation Surge
Young registrants, showing enthusiasm reminiscent of the recent youth participation surge in Lapu-Lapu, spent the night outside the mall hoping to secure early registration slots. The overwhelming response echoes growing civic engagement among Filipino youth.
Local Government Response
Mayor Greg Gasataya personally monitored the situation, ordering the installation of portalets and iron railings to ensure registrants' safety. This proactive approach to public safety management mirrors successful strategies seen in other progressive local government initiatives.
Call for System Reform
City Councilor Ceasar Distrito, a former election officer, emphasized the need for a differentiated registration system for larger cities like Bacolod. He noted that current capacity allows processing of only 800 registrants daily, while daily turnout reaches 3,000-5,000 people.
"I hope COMELEC in Manila will realize that in big cities like Bacolod, there should be a different system compared to small towns and cities," stated Distrito.
Registration Statistics
- Current daily capacity: 800 registrants
- Actual daily turnout: 3,000-5,000 registrants
- Total regional applicants: 104,132 (as of August 9)
Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria confirmed that the majority of registrants were minors preparing for upcoming SK elections, demonstrating strong youth political engagement in the region.
Manny Pacquiao
Independent Filipino journalist covering democracy, civil rights, and government accountability across Southeast Asia.