11 November 2011, Brussels - As part of its efforts to increase the number of overseas absentee voters to the May 2013 National Elections, the Philippine Embassy in Brussels conducted its the 1^st "Akyat Barko" field registration this year on 11 November 2011 at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.

The team, headed by Second Secretary and Consul Christina Rola (5^th from left), was able to register 20 seafarers of the all-Filipino crew of Japanese cargo ship M/V Santa Isabella that was docked in Antwerp due to the Europe-wide holiday, the Armistice day.

The Port of Antwerp, a multifunctional port where all types of freight are loaded, unloaded, stored and handled, is the second largest port in Europe for international shipping freight and the tenth largest in the world.

The Philippine Embassy is set to hold field registrations in Luxembourg and in other places in Belgium to increase the participation of Filipinos there in the May 2013 National Elections.

All Filipino nationals who are at least 18 years old can register as overseas absentee voters. They need only to present their valid Philippine passport to be registered. For complete information, you may check the Embassy's website at www.philembassy.be.