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"Yung persons with disability (PWD) sa panahon na ito, hindi na dapat itago."
This was what Arnel Conception said when asked why he volunteered for PPCRV in the 2016 elections.
At 53 years old, handicapped due to a gunshot wound in the back, Arnel is a leader volunteer in Pasig City's PWD group and has successfully put his children through school.
"Kahit PWD ako nakapag-hanapbuhay ako, napagpaaral ko ang mga anak ko," he said.
Arnel guided voters through the hallways of Rizal High School, shaking hands with many he is familiar with as he navigated the crowded area in his wheelchair.
At one point, he went outside to aid an elderly man he suspected had cerebral palsey.
PPCRV volunteers aid a PWD who wants to vote #Eleksyon2016 pic.twitter.com/XHpZtE1FkX
— Jessica Bartolome (@jacbartolome) May 9, 2016
This is not Arnel's first time to serve as an election volunteer. He also did the same during the 2010 and 2013 polls.
He expressed his approval at the measures taken to accommodate PWDs this year, such as the wooded ramps and the placement of the PWD precincts at the ground floor of the building.
"Noon binubuhat kami o binababa ang balota," Arnel said.
"Ngayon medyo OK na, maluwag-luwag na. Itong 2016 naayos na natin yung accessibility ng mga kasamahan nating PWD sa Pasig," he added.
However, he said it would be easier for them if abled voters were completely separate.
The precincts in Rizal High School are clustered together, with 4 to 6 precincts in each classroom.
Although there is a room that prioritizes PWDs, it also includes dozens of other voters, making the space crowded enough that wheelchairs cannot easily pass through.
"San yung pagboto namin maluwag nang di kami mahirapan. Minsan nagkakagulo kasi yung mga abled nakikisingit," Arnel said.
Although going around the school is a challenge to him, Arnel is determined that his fellow PWDs get to exercise their right.
He wishes for his community to be able to vote leaders who will give them priority instead of overlooking them, he said.
"Yung PWD hindi dapat nasa isang tabi lang... May boses kami dapat. May karapatan kami sa lahat," he added. — RSJ, GMA News
