Church advances E-CHAMP advocacy for 2019 polls

While various sectors gear up for the 2019 Midterm Elections slated May 13, the church also assures that it will give its hand through its advocacy of having an election that is Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful or E-CHAMP.

Led by the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS), the E-CHAMP advocacy was launched early in the month of April.

Together with DACS are various sectors and ministry involving the church, particularly the Davao, Digos, Tagum, Mati (DADITAMA) subregion.

“The DADITAMA – DACS – PPCRV – E-CHAMP operations is 90% ready for the coming elections on May 13,” Jimmy-lou dela Vega, executive director Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) told Herald.

Different catholic schools also vowed for its participation to champion the said advocacy.

Other ministries include the Parish Disaster Action Response Team and the Diocesan Social Communications Committee.

The E-CHAMP volunteers will work hand in hand with the Comelec XI to advance the said advocacy.

About 3,500 volunteers across DADITAMA to serve different areas in safeguarding the elections including poll watchers, voters assistants, news gatherers and reporters, prayer warriors and mobile communications group.

“We are confident that the DADITAMA – DACS – PPCRV – E-CHAMP operation will be in place,” dela Vega said.

In the Diocese of Mati, about 1,200 volunteers have already registered.

“They are under the guidance of Bishop Abel Apigo and Social Actions Director Fr. Joel Saison and all the personnel who are coordinating the operation E-CHAMP,” dela Vega said.

In the Diocese of Tagum, the St. Mary’s College of Tagum took the lead for the DACS, along with the Social Action Center. About a thousand volunteers will also serve the said jurisdiction.

In the Diocese of Digos, dela Vega said most of the operations are centered in the Davao Occidental.

“The Holy Cross of Malita is taking the lead there. They have recruited about 400 volunteers,” dela Vega said.

Meanwhile, the largest area in terms of voting population, the Archdiocese of Davao, more than 1,000 volunteers will be serving.

The church, while duly recognizing the separation to the state, has always been active in taking the lead to assist every election to ensure that the public is educated to select the rightful leaders that will prioritize the marginalized sectors once put in place.