For 2013 Elections: Church welcomes program urging PWDs' participation

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  – After the low turnout in last month’s national voters’ registration of persons-with-disabilities (PWDs), now came a program to help encourage this particular sector to participate in the 2013 elections.

The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete on Wednesday welcomed the entry of Fully Abled Nation (FAN), a program on disability-inclusive development spearheaded by the Asia Foundation and supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Monsignor Julius Heruela, DEB convenor and rector of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in this city, hoped that with the launching of FAN in Negros Oriental recently, more PWDs are empowered to exercise their right to suffrage by taking the first step—register themselves as voters.

The 3-year program has partnered with various organizations, including the Comelec itself, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and other non-government organizations to increase awareness of all sectors and LGUs on the needs and concerns of PWDs.

Heruela said it is imperative that all efforts and approaches must be taken by various sectors to reach out to the differently-abled to allow them to participate in the elections and other democratic processes.

On the low-turnout of PWDs registration, the Comelec provincial office, headed by election supervisor Eddie Aba, promised to look into a perceived oversight in the communications process whereby PWDs and even Provincial Social Welfare Officer Alice Legarde were not informed of the August 11 activity.

Heruela also disclosed that PPCRV volunteers in the different parishes are now tasked to seek out PWDs in their areas and encourage them to register and vote. He said the DEB will find ways to provide resources, such as transportation, for the PWDs so they can register with the Comelec, and include them in various voters education seminars conducted at different levels of the diocese.

The FAN campaign was officially launched yesterday in partnership with Silliman University and in coordination with The Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. and the Philippine Information Agency. —Judy Flores Partlow  – THE FREEMAN