LAOAG CITY — The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) is calling on volunteers to assist voters, especially millennials, who are voting first time in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
As a duly accredited arm of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), PPCRV in Ilocos Norte spokesperson Francisco Bitagon said Monday they have already started the conduct of orientation to at least 75 volunteers who will serve as watchers in the upcoming elections.
Bitagon thus appealed to Comelec and all concerned government authorities to respect assigned PPCRV watchers in the different precincts as they respect watchers of candidates.
“We are your collaborators, we are your partners in electoral rights so you must give chance to our volunteers. They are there to watch. Treat them as your collaborators,” said Bitagon, recalling that during the previous elections, some PPCRV watchers were taken aback as if they had no role in the election process.
Meanwhile, the PPCRV has reiterated the provision of priority lanes for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens and pregnant women, as it has been observed in the past that some precincts in the province had no special lanes for them.
“Please put priority lanes for PWDs, seniors and pregnant women. It is their right. Wait till you become a senior,” Bitagon stressed.
In Ilocos Norte, the Comelec reported there will be 368 voting centers covering 559 barangays. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
