Church bells simultaneously tolled on Sunday, May 9, nationwide to encourage Filipinos to register to vote for the May 2022 polls.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action (CBCP-NASSA) has called for the nationwide ringing of church bells with a year away from 2022 elections.

"May 9 is exactly a year away from 2022 elections! To signify our urgent call for voters’ registration, we urge you to join the nationwide ringing of church bells at 12 noon on May 9 after the Angelus," it said in a Facebook post.

NASSA said these efforts were part of initiatives lined up by the Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon, a non-partisan, multi-sectoral coalition of 29 civic and religious organizations and individuals, to encourage eligible citizens to register and vote.

Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Nassa/Caritas Philippines,

urged his fellow Church leaders to take part in the activity to show their love for the nation.

"Let’s awaken and enliven once more our love for the country. Register to vote," he said.

Father Antonio Labiao, executive secretary of NASSA/ Caritas Philippines, emphasized the importance of the Church taking the lead in mobilizing citizens towards active engagement in the 2022 elections.

“It’s important for the church if we are serious with our mandate... to actively participate. This is a call for us to get involved in good governance,” he said.

CBCP President Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles also asserted that the electoral process is “our sacred duty, not only as Filipinos but as Christians.”

The Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon is led by former Comelec Chairman Christian S. Monsod as lead convenor and former Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito F. Guia as national coordinator. The coalition hopes to register an additional 7 million voters through their #RegiToVote campaign that hopes to mobilize citizens through encouraging local voters’ registration initiatives on the ground and through social media.

“We believe in the dream that everyone, regardless of their age, status and personal viewpoints, can collectively unite to achieve our ambition of a brighter and better future for all, especially the poor and marginalized. We believe that registering to vote is among the most accessible and sustainable means for every Filipino to achieve this desired future,” the coalition said in a manifesto issued to the public May 7.

The Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon is on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. More information on how to help the cause to #RegiToVote can be found through http://koalisyon.carrd.co.