In Pag-asa Island, people travel for days to be able to vote

Some residents from Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea have to travel for several days just to be able to cast their votes on election day.

In an interview with Kara David on Eleksyon 2022: The GMA News Marathon Coverage, Kalayaan municipality PIO Ariel Carlos said he was among the residents who travelled from the Kalayaan extension office in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

"We travelled more than 24 hours, actually 'yung iba two nights and three days na bumiyahe para makarating dito at makaboto," he said.

("We travelled more than 24 hours, actually the others had to travel for two nights and three days to arrive here and vote.")

"They really want to practice 'yung kanilang karapatan para po maihalal 'yung gusto nilang iboto sa national and local officals na gusto nilang ilagay," he added.

("They really want to practice their right to vote for national and local officials that they want to elect in position.")

According to Carlos, the municipality of Kalayaan in Pag-asa Island has around 521 registered voters.

"Kahit gaano kaliit 'yung isla natin, 'yung aming munisipyo, gusto po naming maging parte ng pagbabago at mangyayari dito sa atin sa bansang Pilipinas," he said.

("Even though our island and our municipality is small, we want to to be part of change and what happens to our country, the Philippines.")

—MGP, GMA News