Voter Mobilization Program

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BAGONG BOTANTE: Future -proofing Democracy is a long-term, sustained civic-consciousness project to raise a new generation of voters.

Like any process, we must start at the beginning, and that is with the first-time voters. We want the day or year, whether it’s election season or not, when these young boys and girls turn 18, be celebrated as a rite of passage to responsible citizenship. They have to believe with conviction that the right to vote gives them their voice to really and truly participate in a democracy. It is a badge of honor every election year that we exercise as our fundamental right, and as mindfully and responsibly as possible.

The project is three-pronged:
Registration up to October 30, 2021: intense information campaign through creatives and online platforms with the widest possible reach.
Voter Education: circulation of candidates’ qualifications to be vetted against job descriptions of every elective position— from the president to the lowest municipal officer.
Integration into School calendars of both public and private sectors as an essential part of their civic consciousness courses. Integration into local community life, as one important way to celebrate June 12 Independence Day.

BACKGROUND
The Philippines has been a democratic republic for only 75 years. Despite years of Civics teaching in schools, democracy is not fully understood and appreciated. Young people must learn about good governance and the power of their vote to avoid being co-opted by a dysfunctional system.

SIGNIFICANCE
TOWNS Bagong Botante: Future-proofing Democracy seeks to create awareness that the ballot is sacred, and to encourage young people to register to vote as a rite of passage to healthy and active citizenship that will have a positive impact on their lives, as well as on their future. This sector of the population, a new generation of voters, are the game changers for Philippine elections.

PROJECT TEAM
Karina A. Bolasco, Lydia Benitez Brown, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Ma. Regina Estuar