SK officials urged to inspire youth to vote

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council is urging the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in the city to help widen the ongoing public education campaigns that strongly encourage qualified youth, especially first-time voters, to register for the 2022 elections.

This is anchored on the principle that young people’s involvement is critical to making elections more representative.

The council is likewise urging SK leaders, given the restrictions on the conduct of public gatherings due to COVID-19, to maximize the use of social media platforms for the voter’s registration campaign given the most, if not all, of the youth are social media users.

Councilor Alvin Dizon sponsored a resolution regarding the matter which was approved by the City Council on Wednesday.

Voter’s registration is now ongoing with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) which is a requirement for any qualified Filipino citizen who wishes to vote in any Philippine election.

Voter’s registration for the 2022 elections shall be until September 30, 2021.

“It is imperative to encourage our youth to register so they can exercise their right of suffrage as an important civic duty, participate in the democratic process, and have a say in the affairs of their government,” said Dizon.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution under Article II, Section 13 provides, “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

Dizon said one of the most important venues for youth’s involvement in public and civic affairs is through elections in which Article V, Section 1 of the same Constitution provides, “Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.” —  (FREEMAN)