#YOUTHVOTE2013 | Election forum on health a go at San Beda College Alabang

By: Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com
January 28, 2013 10:53 AM

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - An election forum on the health of young people will be held on January 29, Tuesday, at the San Beda College Alabang as part of “NOW TRENDING: #YOUTHVOTE2013,” a series of talks from senatorial candidates for the May polls.

The second of its kind, the event is organized by the San Beda College Alabang Student Council, the First Time Voters’ Network, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, SMART Communications, and InterAksyon.com.

According to the First Time Voters’ Network, the project will make way for the “issues, sentiments, and policy recommendations” of the youth to be heard. The latter make up more than 40 percent of the 2013 electorate.

Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, former Akbayan Representative Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, Grace Poe Llamanzares, and John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes have already confirmed their attendance at the forum. 

During the program, the candidates will be able to present their platforms on health, population, and development. They will then be answering questions from students, their fellow candidates, and health experts, including former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and officials from related non-government organizations.

The event at the school auditorium starts at 12 p.m. and ends at 2 p.m. It will be streamed live on InterAksyon.com at http://www.interaksyon.com/youthvote2013, and straight to the viewing rooms in partner schools Bicol University and University of the Philippines Cebu.

Gibby Gorres, co-convenor of the event, said #YOUTHVOTE2013 would give the students the opportunity to take a closer look at the candidates in an interactive manner. As the forum has a social, online aspect, anyone can Tweet their questions for the speakers using the hashtag #YOUTHVOTE2013 during the event.

“We are trying to reach out to a lot of young people, which is why there is an online component,” said Gorres.

“Students (here) are very willing to contribute to nation-building,” said San Beda College-Alabang Student Council President Kenneth Yrastorza.

He hopes that the forum will shape a mature, involved, and well-informed community as they prepare to vote in May.