IN A bid to ensure that mothers are able to cast their votes, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered all day care centers to be opened on May 9.According to Comelec Resolution 10780, the Commission en banc directed all local government units (LGUs) to open their day care centers, where mothers can temporarily leave their children while they cast their votes.”The Commission en banc resolves to require all local government units, specifically provincial governments, city and municipal governments, and barangays, through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), to open their day care centers,” said the Comelec.It said the directive is part of the commission’s bid to ensure women’s participation in the elections.”One of the barriers to women’s political participation and voting is the care for their children during Election Day. Most mothers have difficulty finding somebody to take care of their children while they cast their votes,” noted the Comelec.The Comelec resolution said the day care centers should be opened on Election Day, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.It also stated that all day care center teachers/custodians must strictly observe all the minimum public health standards to ensure their safety and that of the children.These include having well-ventilated day care centers, ensuring cleanliness and sanitation of frequently used/touched surfaces, checking of temperature of the children upon their entry into the center, and wearing of face masks at all times.The poll body also said the people inside the center must not exceed the maximum number allowed by its operational capacity.To note, there are a total of 33,644,237 registered female voters for the May 9, 2022 elections. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)