DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, May 8 (PIA) -- The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete has formally opened its command center at the Marian Priests Center, Cathedral Compound here where DEB personnel will monitor the situation on the ground.
Diocese of Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes led the blessing of the DEB Command Center today, witnessed by members of different agencies and organizations comprising the electoral board.
The command center will have a designated area for receiving reports from Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) volunteers who will monitor election-related incidents in polling centers and precincts, another area for radio groups, media monitoring, and media briefing.
It will also have a designated area for receiving election returns from different polling centers after the canvassing.
Bishop Cortes also blessed DEB officers and volunteers to give them spiritual strength in fulfilling their tasks during a ceremonial send-off held this morning.
“Mga minahal kong higala, sa inyong tinguha sa pagbantay alang sa Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful (CHAMP) election ugmang adlawa isig mga PPCRV volunteers, COMELEC officials, kapulisan, gi-isip kamong mga misyonero sa simbahan. Kining pagpadala kanila alang sa maong katuyuan naglig-on sa kahiusa sa tanang simbahan, sa tanan katawhan Pilipinas, ilabi na sa atong nasod, sa atong probinsiya, ug sa atong dakbayan na ilang gialagaran (To my beloved brethren, you are considered as missionaries as you fulfil your role in safeguarding a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful Elections (CHAMP) tomorrow as volunteers of the PPCRV, COMELEC and security force. This send-off reinforces the unity of the church and all its people in the Philippines, in our province, and in our city),” he said.
The prelate also reminded the lay faithful on their obligation to vote on Election Day.
“What we need to do is help our people vote according to a well-informed conscience and to vote according to a gospel-guided conscience. To our voters, let us not be blinded by money. Let us not be blinded by promises of high development which can sell and compromise our patrimony. Instead let us promote CHAMP. Let us altogether be vigilant as we actively watch over our sacred votes. Atong dakong responsibilidad ang pagtampo alang sa kalambuan sa atong nasod pinaagi sa husto na pagbotar (It is our big responsibility to contribute to the development of our country by voting properly),” he added.
DEB Lead Convener Msgr. Julius Heruela said there are 15,000 individuals who signed as volunteers for PPCRV this election.
They will be deployed as poll watchers, voters assistance desk personnel, runners, and dispatchers of election returns and incident monitoring group. (RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
