BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ensures inclusivity for the vulnerable sectors in the upcoming May 2025 national and local elections.
COMELEC-Baguio City recently provided Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the city an opportunity to get a feel of the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) in a demonstration and voters education campaign.
City Election Officer lawyer John Paul Martin said that this activity helps the sector in gaining confidence to vote and to understand the various processes of the election.
“Gusto nating iparating sa ating mga kapatid na PWDs ganito ang itsura ng bagong machine na ito at para makita ‘yung confidence nila sa ating mga proseso patungkol sa election on election day.”
Martin also highlighted that the machine is devised to be more equitable for PWDs.
“Meron tayong tinatawag na accessibility equipment, paraphernalia, para sa ating PWDs. Kailangan natin ng extra mile when assisting our PWDs that is why meron siyang headset, meron siyang keypad, and kinakailangan ito para mabigyan sila ng extra assistance,” he said.
Martin also shared that the PWDs can vote as early as 5:00 in the morning on May 12 through the COMELEC’s early voting initiative. PWDs who opt to go with the regular voting hours will still be accommodated via express lane.
“As part of the voter education program natin, may kunting diskusyon on the initiatives of the COMELEC that would benefit ‘ung ating PWDs like the early voting initiative, na itong mga kapatid nating PWDs ay pwede nang bumoto as early as five in the morning. ‘Yun ang early voting, 5:00 to 7:00 am. Kung hindi man sila makaabot doon sa early voting na five to seven, they can still vote doon sa ating regular voting hours na 7:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening, nasa express lane pa rin po sila,” he explained.
PWD participants are grateful to the COMELEC for providing voter’s education to their sector.
“Mas mabilis para sa amin, lalo na kaming mga PWD, na matagal kaming kumilos, siya na ang kikilos para sa amin, very good, PWD- friendly, nice. Kasi ako bumubuto, parang andaming cheche bureche, hindi kagaya ngayon very smooth, mabilis,” Marie Lou Cris Furia said.
Participant Maria Luisa Baybay acknowledged the Comelec’s move for an inclusive election process and a user-friendly machine.
“Sa ngayon, mas maganda, kasi user-friendly na siya, mas maganda talaga to, tsaka may back-up na battery, at least hindi tayo magpoproblema na magpapalit pa ng machine” Baybay said.
“At least nalaman namin na kaming mga PWDs may allotted time pala na mas maaga kaysa doon sa 7 AM na simula para hindi kami mahirapang makipila” she expressed. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
