By VERA Files SENIOR citizens and persons with disabilities became the darlings of the press when they cast their ballots for the first time in SM malls on Monday. In Batangas, the media fussed over Reymundo Chica and his wife Melanie, both with visual impairment, as they entered SM Lipa, one of the four pilot areas
By DEXTER CABALZA LIGAYA Patañaga, 81, and her neighbor,Luzviminda Dularte, 75, showed up at the SM City Manila before 7 a.m., eager to vote at one of only four venues in the country designated by the Commission on Elections as accessible polling places (APP). But at that hour, the mall was letting in early birds
By ARTHA KIRA PAREDES COTABATO CITY— Election officers in Maguindanao say priority and fast lanes will be set aside for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women as part of government’s move to make polling places “accessible” on election day on Monday. But the special lanes aren’t enough, they are the first to admit,
By DARLENE CAY OVER 54 million Filipinos will be electing barangay officials on Monday, but in special polling precincts for persons with disabilities, only 10 will be able to cast their votes. The Commission on Elections has assigned four SM malls nationwide as pilot accessible polling places for PWDs and senior citizens. Calling this exercise
By ARTHA KIRA PAREDES THEY maneuvered their wheelchairs under the light morning rainshower, through wet roads leading to Luneta Park and the muddy grounds of the Quirino Grandstand. Those who use crutches trudged the same path.
By REYAN L. ARINTO TACLOBAN City — It was a worthy last act. Before the 15th Leyte Sangguniang Panlalawigan ended its term last June 30, the provincial board approved an ordinance creating the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO). Considered one of the major laws passed by the legislative body, the creation of the PDAO authored by
By MYLENE LISONDRA CEBU City— Disability is not a hindrance. That has been Arleigh Sitoy’s mantra for the past five years. He proved that once again after winning a fresh term as member of the provincial board of Cebu’s 6th district in Monday’s elections. Sitoy is a person with disability (PWD). Because of a stroke
By ELLEN TORDESILLAS LAWYER Harry Roque tried last Wednesday to withdraw P100,000 to pay the tuition fees of his children and was told that he couldn’t because of the stupid Comelec Resolution 9688 which prohibits “the withdrawal of cash, encashment of checks and conversion of any monetary instrument into cash from May 8 to
Text by TRACY IGNACIO Photos and Video by MARIO IGNACIO IV and MARIO ESPINOSA CAINTA, Rizal— Forty years ago, Sister Valeriana Baert, a Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, had dreamed of putting up a home where persons with disabilities could live and train after undergoing rehabilitation.
PAOAY, Ilocos Norte — Joseph Odlaumor S. Pacol who was born deaf describes his experience registering as a voter as “easy.” The 27-year-old president of the Ilocos Norte Association of the Deaf (INAD) said his trip to the Commission on Elections last year was a breeze because his uncle accompanied him.