By: Edeliza Macalandag

The youth are undoubtedly the most curious amongst us. Most can't hardly wait for their first time's. First crush. First love. First day high.

First vote. What vote?

Exactly. These days, there's a growing culture of pessimism and individualism among the Filipino youth, the alienation and isolation of the youth in political processes and institutions due largely to the youth and public perception that politics is dirty, something that should be avoided as much as possible. Although, the youth comprises a majority in the country's voting population, the youth voice and the youth vote is largely seen as insignificant, not deemed as a major voting bloc. Probably because, massive and unified youth participation in the election processes is not felt. “If young people register to vote, and go to the polls, we can have an impact on our democracy and get our voices heard.” On this premise, among others, the First Time Voters (FTV) Project, a national network of youth organizations, revitalizes the campaign it started in 2001when it pushed for the extension of the registration period when 4.5 million new votes where disenfranchised because they did not meet the deadline because of a lack of information-awareness drive by the Commission on Elections.

The FTV project believes that this generation has such diverse and powerful opinions and the most prevalent way to get their voice heard is by exercising their right to vote. In the concept of youth helping the youth, the FTV Project gathers youth advocates from different schools and universities nationwide to forward the FTV objectives summed up in the advocacy catchphrase: I am the future. I register. I vote. I transform.

In Bohol , the First Time Voters Project was launched yesterday over the airwaves, via the SK On-Air radio program in DYTR. The Sanguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation through its dynamic President Bobbith Cajes-Auza, was among the first to support the project. Other member organizations to the provincial FTV Project network are: the Leaders Incorporated and The Varsitarian of the University of Bohol , and from the Holy Name University , the CM-Student Catholic Action, Political Science Society, the student officials of the Criminology Department of HNU. For community youth organizations there's, the Sangguniang Kabataan of Tabalong, Dauis and the Aktibong Tingog sa Kabatan-onang Bol-anon (ATIKABO!).

So far, the FTV Project is posting and distributing materials urging the qualified youth to register at their respective Comelec offices, bringing with them their valid ID. The new voters should avoid the deadline rush on the 30th of December, 2006 and register as early as possible. Future programs will include organizing of alternative and creative youth events - parties, concerts, film showings, help-drives, and more parties – that all aim to educate the young generation while motivating their involvement and addressing the decline in their political and electoral participation through practical, youthful and action-oriented means of intervention and cooperation. It is hoped that the first time a youth exercises his right to vote, the experience will be as appealing and as exciting as in all his first time's. Say, first kiss? Why not? The First Time Voters Project – Bohol Edition is still calling for more advocates to join this project. For more information visit www.firsttimevoters.blogspot.com

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