[ PROCLAMATION NO. 430, August 01, 2003 ]

DECLARING THE THIRD WEEK OF OCTOBER 2003 AS THE NATIONAL REGISTRATION WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME VOTERS



WHEREAS, the State recognizes the role of the youth in nation-building and the need to uphold and protect the rights of the Filipino youth;

WHEREAS, the youth's right to suffrage should be given full opportunity to be exercised as the youth comprises a considerable part of our population;

WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 5912, dated 15 January 2003, temporarily suspended the filing of applications for registration of voters, including the first time voters;

WHEREAS, the youth, through the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Youth and Students Sector (NAPC-YSS), has expressed the importance of this registration for their participation in the forthcoming elections;

WHEREAS, consultations with COMELEC led by the Representatives of NAPC-YSS were conducted;

WHEREAS, the COMELEC has scheduled the resumption of registration from 04 August 2003 until 31 October 2003.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the third week of October 2003 as the National Registration Week for the first time voters.
All Filipino youth who will be eighteen (18) years old on or before May 10, 2004 are hereby enjoined to register.

The COMELEC, all government agencies, non-government organization's mass media, sectoral groups and individuals are also enjoined to conduct information campaign to encourage the youth to register, observe and mark this week.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this  01st day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary