WITH THE nearing 2022 general elections, the Office of the Vice President for Social Development (OVPSD), Ateneans for Voter Registration (AVR), and Ateneans for 1SAMBAYAN launched several initiatives to promote voter registration and socio-political engagement to the Atenean community.

For example, the OVPSD endorsed the Ateneo School of Government-led survey, Pinoy Voters’ Vibe: Youth Edition, to gauge the socio-political awareness of the student body. Launched last August 30, the survey asked respondents about their insights on the upcoming elections, voting preferences, and attitudes towards mis- and disinformation.

In line with the University’s social development goals, the OVPSD created the AVR in June as their student arm to closely engage with the youth in socio-political initiatives. Since then, the AVR has published infographics to promote voter registration and videos to explain the voter registration process.

Moreover, the AVR conducted a webinar to discuss the importance of the youth vote and national ID acquisition. To further encourage voter registration, the AVR also established 14 community networks in areas such as Quezon City, Pampanga, and Davao City. 

Transitioning to voter education initiatives, the AVR said that the structure will then expand to engage with its institutionalized local networks in the country and decentralize its committees’ efforts to link with new organizations.

Aside from University initiatives, the 1SAMBAYAN, a political coalition determined to produce a single opposition slate for the 2022 polls, instituted student-led coalitions like Ateneans for 1SAMBAYAN to increase the sectoral youth participation in the upcoming elections. Ateneans for 1SAMBAYAN invited volunteers from all Ateneo schools to promote their goals mentioned in the #YouthAgenda2022.On August 25, 1SAMBAYAN conveners—namely former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (AB EC ‘70), former Senator Bam Aquino (BS ME ‘99), Governor Kaka Bag-ao, and Rae Reposar—held a roundtable discussion with student representatives from the Ateneo and De La Salle. The coalition’s event, Dude, Pare, Change, introduced their plans for the youth’s mobilized and collective socio-political efforts in 2022.