BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO
In La Trinidad, Benguet, the 2025 elections brought frustrations for voters who were supposed to receive priority access, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Instead, some endured up to two hours of waiting due to slow ballot processing and a lack of accessible precincts.
Jane Kinuan, a visually impaired voter, missed the early voting window from 5 to 7 AM because of transportation difficulties.
Upon arriving at her polling center at Benguet State University, she was forced to queue with regular voters.
“I got impatient, ma’am,” Kinuan shared. “I climbed up the stairs, then we were told my name was listed downstairs. I had to go back down, but at least after that, I got to vote right away.”
Maki Gawi-Gawi, also visually impaired, said voting this year felt slower compared to past elections.
“It’s a bit slower now,” he said. “Before, the process was faster. This time, it really took a while.”
He added, “I used to vote on the third floor, now I’m on the ground floor, but it still took time. I was just sitting in the room waiting.”
Senior citizen Chrispulo Ducusin said he felt dizzy and nearly fainted while standing in line.
“It was hard because I didn’t have anyone with me,” Ducusin said. “They had to check my blood pressure because I felt dizzy and nauseous.”
After the special 5 to 7 AM voting hours, many in the priority sector were forced to vote as regular voters.
Comelec Cordillera’s early voting head, Atty. Elenita Tabangin-Capuyan, explained, “We didn’t fully anticipate the volume after early voting hours. That’s why there were some delays.”
Election supervisor Brenda Langoben added, “We offer priority polling precincts for the vulnerable sector, including seniors, PWDs, and pregnant women. But if they opt to use them, they need to sign a waiver because our support staff will handle their ballots and insert them into the machine later in the afternoon.”
By midday, the queues gradually eased, and voting proceeded more smoothly. Polls are set to close at 7 PM, followed by the official canvassing and proclamation of winners.
