"CAN there be voting precincts that are PWD-friendly? Priority is given at the precinct but how to get there is a problem."
This was the post of journalist Carolyn O. Arguillas, as her family and helpful individuals struggled to bring her wheelchair-bound mother, Estrella, 87, to her polling precinct at GSIS Elementary School in Matina, Davao City.
While the polling precincts were in single-storey classroom buildings, the pathways were uneven and there were steps going up and down. Senior citizens on canes also needed to be assisted.
Bringing the mother to her polling precinct required one member to go ahead to check the best pathway to go through, and the rest, including sister Dr. Marilyn Arguillas, to help push and lift the wheelchair.
The family was thankful that others helped them especially where the steps and pathways were steep, but she's hoping that considerations be given to accessibility issues in the future for persons with disabilities.
"Walay problem sa precinct kay very priority gyud pero ang getting there gyud ang challenge," Arguillas said.