Networking, education program for first time voters launched

Various youth organizations have launched a network to raise the youth’s awareness of the political system and encourage them to participate in the electoral process.

The group behind The First Time Voters network believes that political engagement should not be confined to the campus.

“Students should facilitate meaningful conversations about politics in their schools. They are in a position to move away from the toxicity and misinformation that surrounds conversations about politics nowadays,” said Adamson University Student Government President Nico Mercado.

“Meaningful conversations about politics should not end in the four walls of academic institutions. It should be brought and extended to local communities. Information and opportunities to participate should be democratized to the grassroots,” added Barangay Sampagan, Batangas SK Chair Clark Banaag.

Based on data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), people aged 18 to 35 comprise about 37 percent of the electorate in 2016.

“As part of the political system, it is our obligation to make sure that our presence matters,” Quezon City Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Noe Dela Fuente said.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila Sanggu Task Force Head Aly Alberto emphasized that students  have the power to decide whether they will let their issues be buried in the current political conversation or they will assert their right to be heard.

Kent Aawitin from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Student Council added, “The Sangguniang Kabataan has the necessary knowledge of their community to reach out to their fellow youth to galvanize them to register and vote.”

“Your right to vote is your most empowering right. It gives power to policies, agenda, and values that will decide how your environment and community will be in the future,” First Time Voters Network Convenor Ian Serrano told the youth.

“Your first vote should be meaningful,” he added. “It shouldn’t rely on personality politics or name recall but it should be based on values and what kind of future should this country have.”

At the launch, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez discussed how first time voters could register and take part in the 2019 elections. — Daphnie Beltran/INQUIRER.net Intern