PWDs take center stage in 2013 elections

FULL participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2013 elections will be the main topic of discussion during a nationwide forum roadshow in Iloilo City on Thursday, September 27, at the Eon Centennial Hotel along Jalandoni St.

The forum is spearheaded by the Asia Foundation, with support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid) and Foundation for Communication Initiatives (FOCI).

It aims to create awareness about the voter registration period among disabled people organizations (DPOs) and facilitate PWDs rights to increase their participation in the May 2013 midterm polls.

Lawyer Suzette Alquisada, president of the Iloilo Councilors League, is the keynote speaker.

Other speakers include Asia Foundation assistant program officer Emil Tapnio, AusAid program officer Bernadette Cariaga, FOCI president Emily Abrera, National Council on Disability Affairs executive director Carmen Zubiaga, Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville of New Lucena, Iloilo, councilor Christian Sorongon of New Lucena and Iloilo City Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office team leader Blesilda Mabilog.

A three-year program is implemented in six areas of the country with high number of DPOs based on the database of the National Council on Disability Affairs.

The areas covered are Legaspi City in Albay, Cotabato City, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Davao City, La Union, Iloilo City and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental.

In the city and province of Iloilo, there are more than 5,000 registered PWDs who wanted to participate in the mainstream election and other political and democratic exercises.