Written by: Cherish W. Lodico & Danielle Anne Godino Chua
Published: May 26, 2022
As Dr. Jose Rizal once articulated, the youth is indeed the hope of our nation. Such significant aspiration has been widely displayed in more than half a million Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) volunteers during the 2022 Philippine Elections. With all the responsibilities given to ensure the accuracy and equality of electoral processes, this is a great head start for the spirit of volunteerism.
Before anything else, it is important to first know the basics of this parish council. In line with Lorenzo Pasion’s Rappler article entitled "The role of PPCRV: Education for responsible voting"(2022), the PPCRV is primarily responsible for multiple activities like serving as poll watchers, educating the voters, verifying voters’ information, providing support for voters’ concerns, delivering supplies, and communicating with people. Established in 1991, It is also a parish-based movement that is deeply rooted from political yet unprejudiced objectives. To become a volunteer, it requires the following: the aspiring individual should have a full COVID-19 vaccination and should not be connected to any running politician or candidate.
Additionally, PPCRV spokesperson Vann dela Cruz stated in a Rappler interview, “If you can type, if you can use a computer, if you can read, you can help here and participate in this process that we have,”
Despite the faulty vote-counting machines (VCM), power interruptions, and long lines in the scorching sun - the sure patriotism of PPCRV volunteers never failed to prevail as everyone was more than willing and happy to volunteer in the last elections whilst they campaigned for a democratic and transparent election; PPCRV National Chairperson Myla Villianueva says,
“It is important for us to be present in the precincts to be witnesses of the truth, whatever that may be.”
In line with this, half a million Filipinos volunteered last May 9, 2022. The command center was opened for 24 hours while 500,000 volunteers worked one and a half hour shifts. After the voting ended, they helped encrypt actual copies of election receipts printed by the VCMs. Furthermore, to ensure additional order during the election proper, they served as manpower to the PPCRV Command Center at the University of Santo Tomas call center, ushers, and other relevant matters.
Given all these matters, this goes to clearly show how much passion and determination the PPCRV volunteers had during the elections. Their love for the country and their will to uphold for the truth are beyond notable, which should serve as an inspiration for everyone out there. Thank you, volunteers, sa patuloy na pagtindig!
References
Baizas, G. (2022, May 11). ‘I wanted to do something more’: PPCRV overflowing with wave of volunteers. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/ppcrv-sees-overwhelming-support-wave-volunteers-2022/
Hermoso, C. (2022, May 8). More than half a million to serve as PPCRV volunteers. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/08/more-than-half-a-million-to-serve-as-ppcrv-volunteers/
Pasion, L. (2022, May 5). The role of PPCRV: Education for responsible voting. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/parish-pastoral-council-responsible-voting-role-polls/