MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set Sunday, July 20, as a National Registration Day for Voters with Disabilities.

Based on Comelec Minute Resolution No. 14-0463 dated June 25, the event is in line with the celebration of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week from July 17 to 23, in accordance with Proclamation No. 361.

Comelec is closely coordinating with the National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA) for this endeavor, said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in a phone interview with Rappler.

“One of the programs of the NCDA is disability inclusiveness, and part of that program is to make sure persons with disabilities (PWD) would find it easy to register and participate in our elections,” said Jimenez. (READ: Were the 2013 polls PWD-friendly?)

Election officers nationwide are instructed to designate accessible registration venues for the PWDs within their area. Jimenez added that the local Comelec offices themselves should be PWD-friendly.

Barangay officials are also encouraged to provide transportation for the PWDs to the registration venues on July 20, said Jimenez.

The voter’s registration for the 2016 national elections runs from May 6, 2014, until October 31, 2015. Local Comelec offices are open Sundays to Fridays for voter’s registration. – Rappler.com