Noong bagong salta ako sa Maynila, paborito kong paglaruan ang mga PLDT toll-free access numbers na ginagamit para makapag-collect call sa ibang bansa. Kapag idinayal mo ang 105-12, halimbawa, may operator na sasagot sa ‘yo ng ganito: “AT&T USA Direct Mabuhay service, ano pong number ang nais nilang tawagan?”

Marami ‘yang mga access numbers na ‘yan: 105-15 para sa MCI para rin sa US, 105-49 para sa Deutsch Telekoms papuntang Germany, at marami pang iba. ‘Yung 105-49 lang ang talagang nagamit ko dahil may mga tiya ako sa Germany. ‘Yung mga ibang access code, niloloko ko lang–ibinababa ko agad pagkatapos sumagot ng operator.

Ngayong eleksyon, may bagong toll-free access code ang PLDT: ang Gabay Halalan 10-149. Pero hindi ito dapat paglaruan, gaya ng ginagawa ko dati sa mga collect call access numbers. Sa halip, dapat itong seryosohin dahil lubos itong makakatulong sa mga botante sa pag-unawa sa proseso ng halalan at sa pagpili ng dapat iboto. Isa itong initiative ng Simbahang Lingkod Bayan at Life Academy sa pakikipagtulungan ng PLDT. Narito ang iba kumpletong impormasyon mula sa VforCE website:

Starting May 1, 2007, access to UNBIASED, RELEVANT election related information is just five numbers away…10-149. The first-ever Gabay Halalan call center dedicated to helping our voters make enlightened choices will once again serve the Filipino people this 2007 elections. Callers anywhere from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao can simply pick up the phone and dial 10-149 from a PLDT landline FOR FREE (not even long distance charges) to talk to a tele-educator about:

• candidates’ profiles and stand on issues
• party-list information
• your precinct
• information for first time voters
• information on how to get involved in the elections
• inquire about election related legal matters
• report election related incidents i.e. prohibited acts
• other election information which we can look up for you — except
whom to vote for :>

This service is especially helpful for Filipinos who do not have access to the internet or cannot read since a live person will be the one providing you with the information you need. Calls will be entertained from May 1 to May 15, 9:00am to 9:00pm.

The Gabay-Halalan 10-149 call center is spearheaded by Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan and Life Academy in cooperation with PLDT.

*Gabay Halalan is still in need of Metro Manila-based volunteers who would like to be tele-educators. Please call SLB at 426-6101 loc 3440 or 10-149 or text 09263041826 to volunteer for election tele-education work or for other involvements in VforCE: Volunteers for Clean Elections.

Nalama ko nga pala ang tungkol sa proyektong ito kina Bro. Ernald at Ma’am Malou.