Australian ambassador visits Mandaue City

CEBU, Philippines - Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell arrived yesterday in Mandaue City to join the voters’ education campaign for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Tweddell joined volunteers from the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)-Bahaginan in the activity involving more than a hundred organized PWDs in the city.

The international development organization has been advocating for the inclusion of PWDs in the 2013 mid-term elections in the Philippines.

The national project is implemented by The Asia Foundation and funded by Australian Aid of the Australian government.

In Mandaue City alone, there are about 2,000 members of the Federation of the Welfare of the PWDs whose president is Michael Pielago.

Erlinda Parame, Cebu coordinator of VSO-Bahaginan, said data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) shows there was a low turnout of PWD voters in the last elections which is attributed mainly to the accessibility problem and lack of awareness on the part of PWDs.

She said they wanted to showcase the project in the city since its PWDs are active and organized.

According to Parame their objective is to increase the number of PWDs registered with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and consequently a big turn out in the actual elections.

As a result of this advocacy, the Comelec will issue a resolution to provide accessible venues for PWDs during the elections she said.

At the same time, more special registration days for PWDs have been arranged to ensure that all qualified PWds in the city will be registered, she said.

Mayor Jonas Cortes welcomed the ambassador. His visit will boost his good governance campaign, adding that his administration is always supportive of the cause of PWDs, he said.

PWDs in the city have received benefits such 20 percent discounts in the city hospital and P500 yearend financial assistance, which might be increased to P1,000 this year.

The city has also given the organization a service vehicle for easy mobility. - THE FREEMAN