CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the House of Representatives on Monday gave its nod to the bill that will allow senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), lawyers, and health workers to vote early.

House Bill 7576 according to Rodriguez was passed on third and final reading with 259 lawmakers voting in the affirmative and none in the negative. There were no abstentions.

The bill, principally authored by Rodriguez, allows senior citizens, PWDs, lawyers, and human resources for health to cast their votes ahead of the national and local elections. 

He said that it was passed in consideration of the physical and health conditions of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). 

The bill likewise allows lawyers and persons employed in health-related work to provide unhampered services to the people on the day of the elections.

A nationwide registration shall be set in place for them to be qualified to avail of the early voting privilege. 

Those unable to register shall vote on election day.

With this, COMELEC is called to keep a record of those registered voters, design a registration system to facilitate their early voting, and make sure that polling places are safe and easily accessible, especially to senior citizens and PWDs.

Under RA 10366, polling stations should be properly fitted with the necessary communication, visual, and physical aids to assist the early voters. 

An intensive information campaign shall also be conducted regarding the early voting period, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is now hoping for the swift passage of the bill in the Senate for the benefit of our senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).