The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) will intensify its voter’s education program in the province to raise the level of awareness of residents on social issues and to help guide them in choosing their candidates wisely on May 13.
Fr. Jasper Lahan, PPCRV provincial chair, said on Monday that although many Palaweños are exposed to overwhelming political advertisements, election reminders, and news coverages in the mainstream and social media, their awareness level regarding issues that beset the country and their communities are still insufficient.
He said instead of voting for candidates with ideal character, capability, loyalty, honesty, and integrity to become leaders every election year, many people still go for the incorrect choices to hold public office.
“Nakakatuwa ‘yong mga tao kapag ang mga consideration nila ay marunong sumayaw, nakakatawa, tapos meron pa nga ang basehan ay gwapo. Ang punto lang, di pa marahil nagsi-sink in sa atin na ano nga ba ‘yong mangyayari sa atin kapag dumating ang pagkakataon kung saan itong mga tao na ito ay naririyan,” Lahan pointed out.
Lahan said the PPCRV’s voter’s education program aims to make people responsible for the character of their local governments.
He said many Palaweños remain unaware of many issues because they are not directly affected.
Lahan said they only watch them on news television and read about them in the social media that is why their processing of information and their responses lack awareness.
“Kung titingnan natin, ‘yong social responsibility and social awareness natin ay napakababa, kasi hindi nga tayo apektado. Napapanood lang natin sila sa tv, ‘yong mga problema nasa tv lang kadalasan,” he said.
He said if Palaweños want leadership with integrity, they should consider their right to vote “sacred” and refrain from trusting candidates who will lie for their own benefit and not the interest of the people.
