PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) joins the nation in urging Filipinos, especially the youth, to register and vote in the May 22 elections next year.
Twenty-three-year-old Janelle Lao, a fresh graduate from Marikina City, registered for the 2022 elections early this year. She and her family regularly exchange political views at the dinner table, so as a qualified individual, she is looking forward to exercising her right to vote for the first time. “What I have been seeing on the news has moved me to take part in the next election, and I am hoping that my vote will mean something,” she said.
Katrina Verceles of Imus City, Cavite was influenced by her parents to develop lifelong voting habits now that she is 20. Coming from a family of registered voters, she signed up at the Cavite City Hall last September 10. “I chose to brave the pandemic just so I could register. Despite the risk of transmission and the humid weather, it was worth it,” she said.
To encourage more young Filipinos like Janelle and Katrina to register, Smart has teamed up with Vote Pilipinas, which has been designated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as its official voter information campaign partner that offers non-profit, non-partisan online and offline information concerning the 2022 national elections.
Under this partnership, Smart will boost Vote Pilipinas’ online call-to-action through social media executions and will help widen its reach through communications support. These efforts are aimed at empowering Filipinos, especially those who fall within crucial age demographics such as the youth.
“We seek partners like Smart who wish to join us in our crusade in making sure that our circles of influence are registered voters. Gaining the support of Smart was ‘a happy accident’, but approaching them was a foregone conclusion because Smart has really been the prime mover of nation-building in technology,” said Ces Rondario, founder of Vote Pilipinas.
With improved connectivity from Smart and GIGA offers, information on reliable websites like Vote Pilipinas are made more accessible to Filipinos. These include registration-related information such as requirements, deadlines, site safety protocols, and other reminders.
“We have to speak. We have to vote. We have to lend our little voices and let them grow into something bigger,” Janelle said. “It’s a common misconception that only the older generations are concerned about the elections. It is our concern as well, and we can have a strong voice if we use it,” she added.
According to Rondario, COMELEC data show that as of August 2021, the total number of registered voters is at 61.6 million, with 52% being young Filipinos.
As the most ‘tech savvy generation’, Katrina believes millennials and Gen Z’s like her can harness technology for good citizenship. “Given that we’re more vocal now on social media, we can create more online spaces for the youth to become more engaged,” she said.
“This is not about any parties. This is not about any personalities. This is about the Philippines. Let us go out and register because no matter the circumstances, we are all part of this future,” Rondario said.
Recently, Smart also assisted in the #MagpaRehistroKa Town Hall led by Vote Pilipinas for Filipinos belonging to the vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, indigenous peoples (IPs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Because of the extraordinary circumstances, the COMELEC has extended the deadline of voter registration to October 30 to accommodate more voter applicants and to give them ample time to register. The registration services will be open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and only one Saturday, the last day of registration (Oct 30).
