A youth-led grassroots voter education caravan traveled across schools in Lanao del Sur to inform and prepare first-time voters about the historic parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Sept. 14.
In an email to the Inquirer on Tuesday, Noel Biadnes, project manager of Youth Leadership, Engagement and Advocacy for Development (Y-LEAD BARMM), said the program is supported by the Australian Government and implemented by Relief International in partnership with the United Youth for Peace and Development-Relief Assistance Network and Organization (UNYPAD-RANAO).
He said the youth are clamoring to be educated about the first parliamentary elections in the BARMM.
After attending a Peer Election Educators’ Training of Trainers (ToT), 36 student leaders and peer educators from Balindong, Binidayan, Madamba, and Masiu towns led in holding community learning sessions.
The school caravan toured Unda Memorial National Agricultural School in Masiu on Aug. 12, Madamba National High School on Aug. 17, Balindong National High School on Aug. 20, and Sittie Ayeesha National High School in Binidayan on Aug. 23.
During the sessions, the youth facilitators set up interactive educational booths covering background information on regional governance, parliamentary positions up for election, the voting process, and hands-on mock elections to give students practical polling experience.
The initiative aims to reach approximately 1,000 young and first-time voters across the four towns.
‘They also reflected on how the project had prepared them to become informed, responsible, and peace-promoting voters in anticipation of the upcoming BARMM parliamentary elections,’ Biadnes said.
Student participants emphasized their role in setting a standard for peaceful civic participation.
‘As an SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) Federation member, I can educate my peers on voting rights and the importance of a non-violent election process. I will be a role model in refusing to engage myself in smear campaigns and sharing of unverified political misinformation,’ said Sittie Raymah Abdullah from Binidayan.
Sonaya Asgar, protocol officer of the Supreme Secondary Learner Government at Balindong National High School, highlighted the importance of critical engagement.
‘I can promote peaceful elections by encouraging responsible voting, sharing accurate and reliable information, respecting different political opinions and to choose leaders based on their qualifications, integrity, and platforms. I will discourage vote-buying and spreading of unreliable resources,’ Asgar said.
Jerome Balinton, Relief International Philippines country director, underscored the long-term impact of youth engagement in the region.
‘As BARMM prepares for its first parliamentary elections, initiatives like Y-LEAD BARMM are more relevant than ever,’ said Balinton.
By equipping peer educators, Balinton added, the initiative helps build a generation of informed voters who can participate peacefully, think critically, and contribute to stronger democratic governance