Report by Joaquin Umali | Photos by Josephine Magday
Tarlac State University – Supreme Student Council (SSC) held an Election Awareness Seminar attended by students from various colleges last Friday, September 20, at the Academic Building AVR, Lucinda Campus.
The seminar commenced with Dr. Lexter Manzano, Co-Adviser of SSC, exclaiming the importance of election and what characteristics one should possess in choosing a leader, followed by two guest speakers from Kabataan Partylist (KPL), former Representative Ms. Sarah Jane Elago, and 19th Congress Representative Hon. Raoul Manuel.
“Ang ating demokrasya ay hindi lamang isang pribilehiyo, kundi isang malaking responsibilidad. Bilang mga kabataan o mag-aaral, kayo ay itinuturing na pag-asa ng bayan dahil nasa inyong mga kamay nakasalalay ang ating kinabukasan dito sa ating pamantasan…dapat tayo ay mapanuri at mapagmatyag sa pagpili ng tamang lider,” said Dr. Manzano.
Following the opening remarks, the seminar proceeded with the talk titled, “Encouraging Active Youth Participation in the Electoral Process” that was discussed by Ms. Elago. She expressed the importance of charting our own path and reminded the audience on what to be cautious for in governing bodies.
With regards to the role of the youth in Nation Building, Ms. Sarah Jane Elago explained the content of Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation Building Act stating that this should be autonomous and should not act as a deodorizer for admins and higher-ups. She also mentioned that the youth should think for their own good.
“So, in public governance, we have claimed multiple places in youth’s participation on National, Local, maski sa mga Barangay. We have children in youth desk, may dalawang bagay dapat tayong tandaan or bantayan. One is ‘tokenism’ na kung baga tinatrato lang na token ang mga kabataan na-‘ah sige may bata diyan, okay na tayo, nag-comply na tayo.’ It shouldn’t just be near compliance…but there should be real difference in terms of policy making,” she added.
Moreover, she also discussed the laws and resolutions she passed, the roles of youth during elections, such us as economic empowerment, bantay boto, the breakdown of government positions, and concluded her talk with a powerful message. She emphasizes that by working towards youth empowerment, this can break cycles of abuse and discrimination and produce benefits that can be enjoyed by generations and generations to come.
Meanwhile, with his anticipated arrival, Hon. Manuel talked about the concept of democracy, how we should be free to express and choose for the greater good and conquering the extremes. In his talk, he claimed that the youth must not be bound only to election.
“Hindi lang ‘ano’ ‘yung dapat nating gawin bilang estudiyante, hindi lang ‘ano’ ‘yung task natin for any upcoming election. Pero ‘ano’ ‘yung matagalan nating laban para talaga makamit natin ang tunay na demokrasya…Isang kinabukasan kung saan kayang mabuhay ng mga kabataan sa Pilipinas,” he added.
Furthermore, he higlights that democracy doesn’t end in elections, pointing out what makes the system oppressive, and mentioning that there is a myth in being neutral. He also stated that KPL is open for new members, volunteers, partnership, and how the office is open for internship.
The seminar was hosted by senior and sophomore communication students, Dean Mhar Madriaga and Patrick Kyle Frias respectively, and organized in partnership with the Striving Towards Empowerment and Progress (STEP), Kaya Natin Youth – TSU, Communicators’ Guild, and Safe Space Society.
Moreover, the seminar not only served as an inspiration and guide to students on voting, as breakfast and lunch were also given as a complementary meal for students to enjoy.
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