PPCRV to Comelec: Improve assistance for voting PWDs, senior citizens

Accessibility during elections is still an issue for persons with disabilities in Janiuay, central Iloilo in Western Visayas. Michael Nugpo, 38, whose cerebral palsy makes walking difficult, is assisted by his mother Lilian Nugpo, 66, up the PWD ramp of Janiuay Pilot Elementary School at 10:15 a.m. However, he has to contend going down the stairs leading to his precinct where he has been voting since he was 18 years old. “He always needs a ‘body guard’ when he goes to vote,” says Lilian who added that teachers have always been helpful with them. Hazel P. Villa, Inquirer Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said it would ask the Commission on Elections (Commission on Elections) to improve ways of assisting persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens in casting their votes.

“We would like to recommend to Comelec… their intentions were good. The intentions for the [Emergency Accessible Polling Place (EAPP)], the PWD, [Comelec] wanted to help they wanted to help seniors, heavily pregnant women,” PPCRV chairperson Myla Villanueva told reporters at the PPCRV Command Center in Manila on Wednesday.

Villanueva said she visited some precincts in the National Capital Region and saw that it lacked the staff or teachers in guiding senior citizens who needed to vote.

“Nag-ikot ako sa precincts ng Metro Manila. [EAPP] was put in one room, ang daming naghihintay tapos dalawa o tatlo lang ang ating guro,” Villanueva said.

“The time and motion logistics na good intention [but] it became a little not optimal for out voters,” she added.

The EAPP is a special precinct for senior citizens, PWDs and pregnant women.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)