BALANGA City, Bataan: Thousands of candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) joined the Unity Walk and Peace Covenant held here on Thursday.

The candidates from 11 towns and one city in Bataan — Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga City, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles, Bagac and Morong — first signed the Integrity Pledge in big boards installed in the Capitol compound before the Unity Walk.

The Unity Walk ended at the Bataan People’s Center where a program was held.

Lawyer Cris Ian Silva, provincial election supervisor, said 10,052 candidates in Bataan have registered for the October 30, 2023 BSKE.

To be elected are a barangay chairman and seven barangay councilors and a Sangguniang Kabataan chairman and seven SK members in each of the 237 villages in Bataan.

“Ngayon ay magkakaroon tayo ng province-wide peace covenant. Ito ay para paalalahanan ang mga kandidato na sumunod sa lahat ng alituntunin at regulasyon na ipapatupad ng Commission on Elections para tayo magkaroon ng mapayapa at malinis na barangay at SK election sa darating na Oktubre,” said Silva.

He said that there is no recorded election hot spot in Bataan.

Silva said they are planning to implement “Oplan Baklas” to remove premature campaign materials.

“Marami na kaming nakikita na mga nagba-violate ng premature campaign. Sa katunayan ang opisina ay nakakatanggap na ng reklamo sa isang bayan at iyon ay pinadalhan na namin ng show cause order kaya pinapaalalahanan namin lahat ng kandidato na sumunod muna sa batas ng Comelec na bawal pa muna mangampanya,” revealed Silva.

The campaign period is from Oct. 19-28, 2023.