By Julliane Nicole B. Labinghisa 

Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Arts and Sciences Student Council and Liberal Youth (LY) stressed the need for good governance and political engagement in a panel discussion at the University Conference Center last October 25.

In line with LY’s 10th anniversary celebration, the event ‘Tuloy Natin Gigil Na10: Henerasyon Natin Para sa Ginhawa at Kalayaan!’ highlighted the role of the youth in attaining desired changes in society.

FEU International Studies faculty member Wayne Winter Uyseco discussed the importance of listening to different perspectives to encourage deeper knowledge exchange for desired changes in society.

“It [political engagement] requires us to be part of discussions, to be part of active movements, to be part of everyday engagements, basically, because we want change or we need change to happen for us. The only time we can affect change is when we try to converse or communicate with each other,” he shared.

In addition, Uyseco mentioned the critical role of the academe in honing political engagement and facilitating discussions.

“It’s part of our academic freedom and civic responsibility to be engaged in critical discourse, in voicing issues, and to promote interdisciplinary learning… The academe is supposedly a force for nation building and not really confining people’s minds to fit just one box,” he stated.

Moreover, the professor also emphasized the need for consistency in social movements such as university walkouts.

“Movements, such as walkouts, will not work if only done one time. It has to be consistent… It has to be continuously spoken of in terms of dialogues, conversations... Kailangan hindi lang isang beses, kailangan hindi lang kayo-kayo, hindi lang ‘yung tipong kung kailan walang pasok (It should not only happen once. It should not be joined only with the same people. It should not happen only when there are no classes),” Uyseco stressed. 

In line with this, LY National Chairperson Addie Demafeliz shared the power of youth mobilization in reaching desired changes in an interview with FEU Advocate. 

“Mahalaga na each university, mag-mobilize talaga, mag-organize, para mas ma-push forward 'yung kung ano 'yung concerns or ano 'yung gustong i-push na policies, or change na gusto ng kabataan (It is really important that each university will mobilize and organize [movements] to push forward the concerns, policies, and changes that the youth desires),” he shared.

Meanwhile, accountability was emphasized by Former Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat as the end goal and end result beyond the anger of ongoing social movements.

“Dapat tayo, galit tayo, pero at the end of the day, ang panawagan natin dapat talagang ipakulong (We should be angry, but at the end of the day, our call is for people to be accountable),” he said.

Similarly, Mamamayang Liberal Secretary-General Jobelle Domingo shared the key elements needed in attaining good governance during the panel discussion. 

“Una, kailangan kayang mag-participate ng taumbayan doon sa paggogobyerno. Ibig sabihin nung pagpa-participate, kaya nilang mag-propose ng sarili nilang mga proyekto, kaya nilang sabihin na ‘Uy, ang korap niyo naman, tigil niyo naman ‘yan.’ Right now, ‘yun ‘yung wala tayo (First, the people can participate in the governance. Participate, meaning that they can propose their own projects and call out the corrupt practices. Right now, that is what we are lacking),” she said. 

Additionally, Caloocan Councilor Atty. Charm Quimpo highlighted that active listening and a suitable response that addresses the real needs of the people is a critical factor in good governance. 

Moreover, Lucban Councilor Mike Borines discussed the importance of localizing policies and having effective systems to address problems, such as those in agriculture, in achieving good governance. 

“Doon natin nakikita na mas lugi sila [farmers] at mas kumikita ‘yung traders natin. Sa pamamagitan ng good governance, sabi ko nga, napakaganda na i-localize natin ‘yung Sagip Saka Act nang sa gayon, puwede magkaroon ng direktang bilihan ‘yung ating farmers at saka ‘yung mga ating local government (We can see that farmers are really losing profit and our traders are gaining more. With good governance, it will be really good to localize the Sagip Saka Act so that there will be a direct trade between the farmers and local governments),” Borines stated.

Similarly, when asked about what makes a good liberal leader, Baguilat noted the ability to listen and converse with local communities.

“‘Di lang ‘yung mga politicians ang pinapakinggan natin, bumababa tayo at nakikipag-usap tayo sa mga basic sectors (We are not only listening to politicians, but rather, we go and converse with the basic sectors),” he said.

Liberal Youth is a youth organization that aims to achieve a liberal society by shaping national discourses and educating the people on freedom and human rights. 

(Photo by Nica Vargas/FEU Advocate)