Naga City – as the 2016 National Elections draws closer, citizens must be empowered to become catalysts of transformation. As a step to make it possible, “Kwentuhang Bayan: A Political Education Trainer’s Training for the 2016 National and Local Elections” was held at the various venues in the university last October 19-21. The event aimed to educate the participants towards active participation in the societal transformation thru enhanced voters’ education. 48 student leaders attended the first day while 29 AdNU faculty and staff attended the second day.

Miguel Karlo Abadines, Jorge Borsong, and Fr. Xavier C. Alpasa, S.J, all from the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan of Ateneo de Manila University, facilitated the training. The event was organized by Elmer Sto. Domingo, Jr, ADNU Point-Person for the 2016 National Elections, and the CCD staff served as the secretariat.

The third day of the event, with a total of 147 participants, was attended by students, faculty, staff, and administrators from the various member schools of Bicol Association of Catholic Schools (BACS), as well as representatives from the various parishes from Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate.

Fr. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, President of BACS, said that through the Kwentuhang Bayan, we can involve ourselves and act. Now is the time to work together.

Fr. Alpasa said that the youth should partake in this endeavor and be active in the elections especially now that the youth voters’ turnout is slowly declining.

by Thirdy Baudin, CCD