Volunteerism is Power

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity where an individual or group provides services for no financial gain. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, and is often intended to promote goodness or to improve human quality of life. Volunteering may have positive benefits for the volunteer as well as for the person or community served. For this coming 2016 election, volunteerism is very much alive. 

In an interview with reporters, Liberal Party Vice Presidentiable Leni Robredo said she was counting on the help of volunteers to power her campaign. "Nag-aanchor talaga ako sa volunteers. Pumasok ako sa race na walang-wala akong resources. Wala akong tao, hindi naman ako nakapaghanda so talaga 'yung sa akin, 'yung volunteers talaga 'yung core ng kampanya," she said.

Do not underestimate the power of volunteerism most especially the volunteers coming from the youth sector. Quoting Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam”Aquino IV, “In an era of authenticity, young people don’t like fake or posers. I think Leni is the most authentic amongst the vice presidents and as he appeals to young voters who are looking for something real.”

Aquino believes that Robredo’s appeal to the youngsters may propel her to rank higher. When you’re running for a government position, it’s actually an edge if you get to maximize the volunteerism power of the youth. Once you have that appeal or charm, you enjoy a good public approval.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier said the youth vote – powered by 20 million registered voters aged 18-35 years old – is the "key to 2016 victory." The youth vote is very significant because they comprise 37 percent of the entire electorate according to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista.

For the 2016 May elections, the men and women behind Liberal Party’s Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo have been working double time, triple time and even quadruple time. Everybody seems to be trying to catch up for more volunteers and more support. They need to introduce Robredo in particular to the general populace. 

Robredo has even opened a volunteer center which was strategically located in Katipunan Avenue, just a stone’s throw away from the city’s major schools: University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and Miriam College. 

For the #RoxasRobredo volunteer supporters, the following are the civic groups Win For Mar, Samahan sa Tuwid na Daan Inc. Laban sa Katiwalian, Yes To Mar and Leni, 1 Utak, K Mar Pilipinas, Tropang Marangal, Mamamayang Alyansa Reporma, The Winning Team RoRo, Mar for President, and Youth for Mar. 

I am currently doing volunteer works for another volunteer supporter group called Bayang Matuwid. With one big goal of making our country a more progressive place to live in via Daang Matuwid, it is our personal pledge and advocacy to support and lend a helping hand to other volunteer groups campaigning for Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo. We believe that Mar and Leni are the best tandem for a better future (an economist and a lawyer definitely makes a good partnership/team, right?). 

Should you be interested to volunteer in whatever way you can (donate, become a digital volunteer, join the campaigns etc.), check out this site and sign up. We'd be happy to have you guys on board. Please like Bayang Matuwid too on Facebook. Thank you.