Opinion

Why it is crucial to hear and listen to the voices of the youth when it comes to nation-building

by Angelene Falcutela

May 08, 2022

"Hindi ka pa naman botante, bakit ka nangingialam sa pulitika?"

"Buhay ka na ba noong panahon na 'yan?"

"Ang dami mong hinaing sa social media, marami ka pang dapat matutuhan."

Since the start of the election period, the youth has heard these lines from elders who are eligible to vote, mostly from elders who have different political views and stances.

For the past few months, the 2022 Philippine Elections have been one of the most controversial and noteworthy events that truly moved the minds of the Filipino people. The youth has been using their right to speak as false information was continuously spread, underqualified and previously convicted politicians were granted permission to file their candidacy, and vote-buying acts were tolerated.

Alongside these unfortunate events, the Filipinos were also part of the momentous events that are worthy of being written in history books. Grand rallies filled with a mammoth crowd, alay-lakad for their presidential and vice-presidential bets, and house-to-house campaigns were conducted by volunteers mostly composed of the youth. These events displayed the unity of the Filipinos who are willing to sacrifice their time and to provide effort as they hope for better and good governance that we all deserve.

The youth's role in nation building is being disregarded by some as they pronounce that the youth still has more to learn about Philippine history. Some say that when minors speak up about what they are fighting for, their voices do not matter as they are not yet eligible to vote.

But are they really invalid as they are not yet voters, or are we just scared of the truth?

The state recognizes the crucial role of the youth in nation-building as stated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution in Section 2, Article 13. Being part of the children who are labeled as 'the country's hope' includes the idea that they have the right to seek for credible sources, to educate, and to spread awareness and information that could lead to the country's redemption.

The students, who are the hope of tomorrow, are required to pursue research and to write essays wherein they are forced to seek credible and reliable sources. These research, thesis studies, and essays are mainly conducted to help resolve society's problems. It seems that the purpose of education has been forgotten - to save children from educational poverty.

With that being said, why are we dismissing the students' capability to become critical readers and thinkers? Why are we contemplating the fact that the youth is educated enough and that they have the ability to learn from the past? Why are we limiting the students from applying what they have learned in schools to the problems being experienced in the real world?

With the continuous spread of disinformation and fake news peddlers, the educated and vigilant youth has the power to open the minds and hearts of the Filipino people, especially when it concerns the country's future. The house-to-house campaign, wherein part of the volunteers are mostly the youth, is one of the ideal representations of why the youth's voice is critical in this scenario. In this event, the youth was able to convert and fight for the victims of false information to choose and go for a more competent candidate.

The youth was also able to conduct programs that educate the masses about the national and local elections. It is indeed a privilege for them that they have access to truthful and credible information, and yet they choose to go out in the streets to educate the marginalized - the people who are mostly victims of disinformation and the ideology of political colors.

The masses must recognize the cruciality of the youth's voices as these children are fighting for the future they aspire to have. These children are fighting for the betterment of the country - for the betterment of the lives of the marginalized, the workers, and the future generation. Your sufferings caused by the oppression and bad governance would also mean they may experience these consequences. Your victories will also be their progress. The country's development will also equate to their life's development.

The youth is not being devoured by the political affairs of the country. The youth simply has something to fight for despite not having any power to vote - their future and their countrymen. They have the power to change the future of the country and to open the eyes of the victims of disinformation. We must recognize that the youth is finally conscious of the truth, injustices, and social inequalities we are experiencing today.

The moment we choose to open our eyes, it is a disservice to the masses to side with neutrality and oppression. Makinig, gumising, at lumaban, kabataan.