Preparations for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) hit a pause after the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ordered suppliers to temporarily halt delivering procured materials.
According to COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the poll body wants clarity regarding legislative proposals aimed at rescheduling the November 2 elections before shipping supplies.
“We are holding off on the delivery of the supplies for now. We want to make sure and get clear confirmation on whether the elections is pushing through or not,” Garcia stated.
He reassured the public that logistical distribution will move swiftly once procurement finishes, noting:
“Delivery will be easy anyways once the procurement process has been completed.”
Beyond material shipments, COMELEC is also assessing whether to delay the training sessions for election staff originally slated for mid-September.
“The training of our teachers serving in the elections hasn’t started yet. It will begin some three weeks from now,” Garcia explained. “Once we start the training, we will cover the cost of the venue where they will be gathered, as well as their transportation and meals.”
Prompting these logistical delays are bills submitted by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javi Benitez, who both advocate extending village officials’ terms to five years and deferring the BSKE until 2028.
In response, Garcia appealed to lawmakers for a definitive resolution before next month.
“We continue to appeal for a clear answer this September on whether the BSKE will push through or not,” Garcia emphasized.