Msgr. Julius Heruela of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting of the Diocese of Dumaguete has lamented the low turnout on Saturday’s special national voters’ registration day for persons with disabilities.

He said some of the PWDs claimed they have not been informed about the activity. At least 15 PWDs showed up at a temporary COMELEC registration area in Dumaguete, three in Valencia, seven in Dauin, but zero for Sibulan and San Jose, Heruela said.

The provincial Commission on Elections, headed by Eddie Aba, is expected to release today the number of PWDs who registered or validated their status.

Provincial Social Welfare officer Alice Legarde said she was not aware of the special registration day for PWDs, otherwise she would have asked the federation and different associations of differently-abled to inform their members.

She said had encouraged PWDs to register with the COMELEC and not wait until the deadline for registration on October 31 this year, but she did not know there was a special list-up last Saturday.

RJ Fontelo, incoming president of the PWD Federation in Negros Oriental, said it was discrimination on their part that they were not informed about the national day of registration.

Heruela noted the need to improve the information and education campaign for voters in the coming months in preparation for the 2013 elections.*JFP

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