DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, June 29 (PIA) -- The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete honored the 15,000 church volunteers and other groups who served during the May 9 National and Local Elections.

The DEB led a thanksgiving mass on June 25 at the Bishop’s Palace, this city with Bishop Julito Cortes as the main celebrant to honor the efforts of thousands of church volunteers, including those who are part of the DEB executive committee in attaining a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections in the province. 

In his homily, Bishop Cortes lauded the volunteers’ willingness to serve on Election Day, stressing that they have showed their love of country through their service.

“Why do you do this? Because you love your country. We are Christians. As Christians, our love and service for the country is a big value. Your heart beats for the good of the mother land,” Bishop Cortes said.

“May I sincerely acknowledge you all for your hard work and thank you all for the tremendous efforts made on behalf of our people to make our National and Local Elections 2022 truly CHAMP. Our gratitude to you all for volunteering to see to it that truth prevails,” he added.

Bishop Cortes sits as the honorary chair of DEB.

The thanksgiving mass was attended by representatives of different parishes and committees under the diocese, some groups who also rendered voluntary service during the elections, personalities who became reactors during the Candidates’ Forum, and officials of agencies that are part of DEB executive committee such as the Philippine Information Agency. 

DEB Lead Convener Msgr. Julius Heruela and DEB Executive Director Engr. Fred Magallano also gave their messages of gratitude after the mass.

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano also thanked the DEB and the Diocese of Dumaguete for being a strong partner of the agency in carrying out its voter’s education campaign and other activities. 

“I always treasure the help of DEB. I’m very proud to say that nothing compares when the DEB on how you work. Sa dihang nag send-off mi sa mga pulis ug (When we had the send-off for the police and) uniformed personnel, there I learned the biggest contingent sa mga election frontliners, even bigger than the COMELEC, PNP, AFP, and teachers combined, you deployed around 15,000 frontliners,”Castillano said.

“Atong makita na kung maayo lang gud diay pagka-lead ang usa ka organisasyon, ang mga tawo motrabaho bisan walay honarium (We can see that if an organization is properly managed, the people will work even without honorarium). Hopefully, what we created last election, we created an atmosphere of peace, magpadayon sa (will continue in) Negros Oriental aron ang ekonomiya mabalik (so that the economy will bounce back),” he added.

Castillano is set to return to Cebu on July 1.

He was designated as the provincial election supervisor in the province just for the duration of the elections.

Also part of the program was the handing out of certificates of recognition to all church volunteers and reactors of the Candidates’ Forum.

COMELEC Negros Oriental officer Hazel Aurea was also given a certificate in recognition of her efforts in ensuring a smooth coordination between DEB and the poll body in the conduct of election-related activities in the province.

Holy Cross High School Principal Dr. Profetiza Lim also received a certificate for serving as reactor for the forum, together with the other reactors. 

Msgr. Heruela said the challenge now is how to maintain the collaboration between the agencies after the election period.

The DEB lead convener is proposing to hold another forum with politicians after their first 100 days to inform the public on their primary achievements upon assumption of office, and to ensure that they will not forget their promises to their constituents. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)