Commissioner Florentino Tuason Jr.;
Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz;
My colleagues in the government service;
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning.

On behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs, I am pleased to be here  with you today to sign the Memorandum of Agreement and to witness first-hand the opening of the “Comelec-DFA-POEA Registration Center for Overseas Absentee Voters.”

The implementation of the Absentee Voting Act of 2003 is probably one of the most challenging and demanding roles ever faced by the Department of Foreign Affairs in its 107 years of public service.

Since the May 2004 election, the expressions on overseas Filipinos showing excitement, enthusiasm and passion to be able to participate meaningfully in our country’s political process became the primal goal for DFA to bring voter’s registration closer and accessible to an average of 2,500 clients who come here at POEA everyday.
 

With their active participation in the upcoming registration exercise, it is our desire that Filipinos overseas will become a significant sector in the selection of our national leaders, and in forging a lasting democratic legacy for the generations to come.

I sincerely thank Administrator Baldoz, for giving the DFA the opportunity to establish the registration center here at POEA and providing us with the facilities that would enhance an effective technical and human support on registration.

And also thank you Commissioner Florentino Tuason, Jr. and the entire COMELEC family led by Chairman Benjamin Abalos in taking up the challenge in successfully implementing the Absentee Voting law.

In pursuit of continuously serving our overseas nationals, we launch the COMELEC-DFA POEA REGISTRATION CENTER FOR OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTERS closer to the heart of our fellow Filipinos abroad, which is here at POEA. It is our hope that the system, will extend the benefits of registering overseas Filipinos while they are still in the country and therefore will address the concerns of distance, time and added expense as many of our Filipinos abroad live far from embassies and consulates.

The continuous effort of the hardworking men and women of DFA together with the attached government agencies and overseas Filipino community involved in the implementation of the OAV law shall also be recognized.  It is because of these people that improving the system of registration became a vital goal for us to be more responsive to the needs of the Overseas Filipino Workers.

Let us all remember that society needs you. If we want to make a difference in our country then, let us stand by that goal. Let us cast our votes in the 2007 election, let us exercise our right to suffrage. Let us register. It is in our votes that relies our future, for a better tomorrow.

Thank you and good morning. END