The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete will mobilize about 15,000 volunteers for the upcoming May 12 national and local elections.

Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, DEB convenor and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) coordinator for Negros Oriental and Siquijor, said yesterday that the volunteers would assist before, during and after election day.

“The volunteers include poll watchers, technical personnel, logistics, and other support staff,” Heruela said.

As an umbrella organization of the PPCRV and other organizations, the DEB is recognized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here as an invaluable partner during electoral exercises.

The DEB advocates for Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections.

In preparation, it has conducted voter education training in coordination with partner schools.

About 100 volunteers from the different parishes yesterday attended another activity focusing on responsible and factual reporting and countering misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.

These volunteers were urged to maximize the use of social media in promoting CHAMP elections while also reporting incidents related to the May polls.

The Comelec has tapped the PPCRV and Namfrel as citizens’ arms during the May midterm elections. (PNA)