VOTER’S EDUCATION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

Date: 14-16 March 2022

Venue/Platform: Zoom Meeting and Facebook Live

Objectives

• To raise the level of awareness of the students towards responsible, democratic, and sustained participation in electoral and governance processes.

• To promote civic engagement and responsiveness among the youth by augmenting their roles in the electoral process

• To uphold Pillar 4 of PUP reform agenda, Holistic Student Development and Engagement which aims to empower students and young leaders for various academic mobility as well as the Pillar 10 which focuses on access to education, knowledge building, and information dissemination through sharing expertise and resources for community development.

Activity/Event Narrative

In preparation for the 2022 National and Local Election, the SSC launched this 3-day initiative which particularly comprises voters’ education on day 1, a presidential forum on day 2 and a senatorial forum on day 3, all for the benefit of the student body and other citizens. Further, this program was featured on CNN and GMA News. A localized mock poll followed after this crucial event.

This event was held on March 14-16, 2022 via Zoom Meeting and Facebook live. The moderator, Ms. Jennylyn Balaoro, commenced the celebration by playing an audio visual presentation of Invoaction and National Anthem followed by the warm opening remarks delivered by the Program Head, Ms. Roella Sombelon.

The first resource speaker, Hon. Antonette Eduardo of LENTE discussed about the rights and processes that first time voters should know. After her talk, open forum, awarding of certificate of recognition, and photo opportunity was done by the technical team. Before moving on to the next part of the event, PUPQC MUSA Himig prepared a special performance as a refresher.

The second resource speaker, Hon. Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Partylist discussed about the youth participation in 2022 elections and political governance. The resource speaker answered a pool of questions from the participants and the Certificate of recognition is awarded. Hon. Raymart Garcia, SK Chairman of Barangay Commonwealth and Hon. Lesther Pangilinan, SK Chairman of Barangay Payatas were invited as reactors to the discussion. Finishing off the day one of the event with the photo opportunity with the guests followed by the singing of PUP Hymn.

Second day covered the presidentiables’ forum and it was moderated by Mr. Jerome Chester Gay. He opened the program by playing the audio visual presentation of the Invocation and the National Anthem, followed by the introduction of invited presidential candidates namely Hon. Ernesto Abella, Hon. Norberto Gonzales and the representative of Ka Leody, Hon. Sonny Melencio. Each candidates are given two minutes to answer each questions from different agenda such as education, health/pandemic crisis, economic growth and recovery, good governance, and peace and security. After answering all questions from different agenda, presidential candidates were given a short break and after the short break, each candidate was given 2 minutes for their final speech and that wrap-ups the second day of the event.

The third and last day of the event was the senatorial forum and the program moderators were Mr. Romel Alcasoda and Mr. Jerome Chester Gay. Moderators opened the program by playing the audio visual presentation of the Invocation and the National Anthem, followed by the recap of the topics tackled on day one and two. Mr. Gay introduced the invited senatorial candidates namely Hon. Teddy Baguilat, Hon. Carl Balita, Hon. David D’ Angelo, Hon. Elmer Labog, Hon. Leila De Lima, and Hon. Samira Gutoc and then proceeded to the questions of each agenda. Each candidates are given two minutes to answer each questions from different agenda such as education, health/pandemic crisis, economic growth and recovery, good governance, and peace and security. After answering all questions, senatorial candidates were also subjected to a fast talk and they were given three minutes to explain their platforms for their final speech. The closing remarks for the three-day event was humbly delivered by Ms. Jennylyn Balaoro, the President of the PUPQC-SSC and the event was successfully concluded with the singing of the PUP Hymn.