BUTUAN CITY-The People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR) - Caraga hosted a comprehensive coaching session on Oct. 7 with 17 youth leaders to prepare for their meaningful engagement in the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. The sessions focused on how the BSKE can be used as a platform to promote and educate people about good governance and participatory and transparent leadership.
A follow-up to the initial coaching session on Aug. 26, the activity aimed to sharpen the messages about the needed reforms in barangay governance and to focus the campaigns on people's agenda instead of personalities.
Addressing election-related challenges head-on
Asis also led an open discussion among the participants, focusing on the various challenges that afflict the electoral landscape. These challenges include financial limitations, smear campaigns, false promises, threats of violence, electoral fraud, and harassment.
Asis advised youth volunteers to monitor the candidates' to the designated poster areas set by the Commission on Elections. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of obtaining permission before displaying banners in private residences. Asis also advised their strict monitoring of excessive spending on banners and other electoral collaterals.
Armed with Asis' insights, the participants were equipped with practical solutions to navigate these obstacles. They were advised to utilize their resources judiciously, leverage existing government and private sector initiatives tailored to youth empowerment, and craft platforms that cater to the needs of the youth in their communities.
Empowering youth leadership through informed action
As the SK elections nears, the youth leaders were asked to encourage candidates to go beyond empty promises and provide practical solutions. With limited barangay funds, it is crucial to allocate resources strategically. Candidates must be encouraged to use technology to research and explore various youth programs offered by the government and private sectors, such as the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
In the SK, leadership goes beyond mere representation. It involves mobilizing resources to address the evolving needs of the community. With the valuable insights gained, the youth leaders are now prepared to navigate the political terrain of the SK Elections confidently and bring about positive change in their respective communities.