Around 340 participants from partner higher education institutions and local youth organizations joined the first leg of the week-long virtual Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment, which sought to encourage the youth to participate in the electoral process.
The South Luzon leg of YOUth Choose 2022: The Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment was launched last November 24 and was concluded with a culminating activity on December 1.
Dr. Erickson Martinez, chancellor of De La Salle Lipa, emphasized that elections have consequences and urged the youth to be informed on the issues, platform and personalities of political candidates for the 2022 elections.
"We have to set specific guidelines in choosing government leaders in terms of candidates' social affiliations and interests, competence, lifestyle and performance record and vote according to our informed conscience," Martinez said in his welcome message.
Dr. Erickson Martinez , Chancellor of De La Salle Lipa delivering his Opening Speech
Br. Augustine Boquer, president of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, warned the youth of the worrisome situation on social media wherein "the bad is made to look good and the good is made to look bad."
"You, young men and ladies who are being educated, have to make not just a conscientious vote but also to affect others to think and to use your conscience for the well being of our nation," Boquer said in his welcome remarks.
Br. Augustine Boquer FSC, EdD, President of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas and De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute delivering his Opening Message
Group photo of the participants and speakers of the Launching of the YOUth Choose 2022: The Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment
YouthLed Development Specialist Emil Benjamin Tapnio and La Salle Institute of Governance director Dr. Ador Torneo were also among the speakers for the opening event.
#AngIbobotoKoAy
During the culminating activity on December 1, the participants joined the hashtag challenge #AngIbobotoKoAy and #AngIbobotoKoAyParaSa to determine the kind of leaders they want following the week-long caravan.
Nina Marie Ligan, president of DLSU - Dasmariñas University Student Government, commended the participants for encouraging their family and friends to register to vote before the deadline in October.
"After the encouragement that we made, it is our time to be accountable... and what are these responsibilities? The responsibility of choosing the right leader," Ligan said during the closing ceremony.
Mr. Carlo Africa discussing how to enhance political participation in the new normal
Rash Caritativo sharing her insights on The Power of Youth and Social Media
Among the speakers for the culminating activity were Hirayang Kabataan Executive Director Atty. Carlo Africa, Active Vista Center Managing Director Rash Caritativo, and National Society of Parliamentarians President Bryan Ezra Gonzales.
The Youth Caravan sought to promote and encourage youth political participation in the 2022 elections through civic and voter education campaigns.
Group photo of the participants and speakers of the Culminating Activity of the YOUth Choose 2022: The
Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment
The event was organized by La Salle Institute of Governance, with pro-democracy coalition PARTICIPATE and Youth Leadership for Development (YouthLed), and in partnership with De La Salle Philippines, Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission, DLSU - Dasmariñas, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute and De La Salle Lipa.