Campaign for youth's voice in 2013 elections launched

YOUTH leaders in Davao City gathered to launch a campaign to register the youth's voice in the coming elections.

"One of our objectives is to encourage our fellow youth, especially to the new voters, to register for the coming 2013 polls," said Niel Brene Lopez, regional coordinator of Kabataan party-list in Southern Mindanao.

"The 2013 election is fast approaching. The youth, and the people, should not be left on the sidelines while traditional politicians are left doing their political propaganda and maintaining this old-aged, clan-based politics," Lopez said.

In a statement, Lopez said the essential role of the youth in the upcoming national polls being almost one-third of all the voting population, adding that the youth should actively push for drastic social change amidst the worsening national crisis.

"During the past elections, we have proven to be a decisive force through what we call as youth-swing vote. Our participation would make a difference by choosing deserving candidates and by ensuring that our voice in the Congress is represented," Lopez said.

The statement further read that the group discussed the current crisis of youth highlighting the issues on education, employment and social services.

Citing the researches of IBON Foundation, the group claimed the Philippines has the worst unemployment rate in Southeastern Asia higher than Indonesia and Myanmar.

"We call for stronger unity among the Filipino youth to stand against social injustices. We also call for maximum participation of the youth on the elections, and we start by encouraging the youth to register as voters," Lopez said.

Registration of new voters will end on October 31. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)