ANAC-IP Rep. Jose T. Panganiban, Jr. on Friday lauded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for creating more voting centers for indigenous peoples (IPs) saying the special centers are crucial in ensuring that IPs are not disenfranchised during the 2019 midterm elections.
The Comelec reported that 10 more Accessible Voting Centers (AVC) in South Cotabato and one Special Polling Place (SPP) for Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Aurora will be set up for the elections on May 13.
“Magandang development ito para mas marami pa sa mga kapwa ko IP ang makapagboto,” said the solon, who belongs to the Gaddang indigenous group.
Comelec data shows that as of December 2018, there are 66 AVCs and SPPs for IPs in the upcoming polls.
The 33 AVCs are spread across the following areas: five in Region III (Bulacan), 18 in Region IV-B (seven in Occidental Mindoro, eight in Oriental Mindoro, and three in Palawan), and 10 in Region XII (South Cotabato).
“Comelec should exhaust all efforts to ensure that the registered IPs would be able to vote.”
The 33 SPPs, meanwhile, are in the following areas: one in Region III (Aurora) and 32 in Region IV-B (11 in Occidental Mindoro and 21 in Oriental Mindoro).
Nevertheless, Panganiban emphasized the need to establish more AVCs and SPPs across the whole country.
“Special centers are crucial in ensuring that IPs are not disenfranchised during the 2019 midterm elections.”
“Ideally, we should have these voting centers in every town, every province,” he said.
Barring the creation of polling centers in time for the 2019 elections, the legislator said the Comelec should exhaust all efforts to ensure that the registered IPs would be able to vote.
“Bukod sa information drive, siguro kung kailangan nating sunduin sila, mag-provide ng transportation para masiguro ang pagboto nila, gawin na din natin,” the legislator said.
“Maraming isyu na kinakaharap ng mga IPs na nagiging balakid sa pagboto nila, na sana ay matugunan ng Comelec bago mag-eleksiyon.”
