The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has formalized its partnership with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to improve voting access for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).

The ceremonial signing, held on March 10, at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila, was led by DSWD Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Attached and Supervised Agencies Elaine Fallarcuna, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, and NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova.

“Under this agreement, the DSWD, in partnership with the Comelec and NCDA, will elevate the voting experience of the vulnerable sectors through collaboration in promoting inclusivity, ensuring easy access to voting, engaging in data sharing, and conducting information campaigns,” Fallarcuna said, reading a message from DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

A key component of the agreement is a set of data security guidelines to protect the personal information of senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Fallarcuna pointed out that the MOA includes accountability and liability measures to ensure the responsible use of sensitive data.

“Guidelines for accountability, liability and parameters for use are included in this agreement as part of our measures to safeguard the sectors we serve,” she said.

Under the MOA, DSWD and NCDA will closely monitor and oversee the voting process during the 2025 NLE, as well as subsequent elections, to ensure that senior citizens and PWDs can fully exercise their right to vote.

In addition, Comelec will establish voter registration booths in coordination with the national social pension payout schedule to provide an accessible opportunity for senior citizens to update their voter registration records.

The NCDA will also collaborate with Comelec by providing nationwide data on PWDs through the commission’s Vulnerable Sectors Office, which will serve as a vital reference for election officers to ensure proper registration and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the voting process.