The Iloilo Province is setting a precedent in the country by institutionalizing voter education in secondary schools, ensuring that the youth are well-prepared to participate in the democratic process.

This is what Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. underscored as he graced the final day of the Seminar-Workshop on Voter Education Instructional Modules for Araling Panlipunan Teachers.

“What we do is important not only for Iloilo but maybe for the whole country. Not many provinces are doing this. Basi kita lang. In so far as having a module and having a program institutionalized in our secondary schools, maybe we are first,” stated Defensor.

The seminar, aimed at equipping educators with effective voter education tools, was a crucial step toward fostering informed and responsible voters among Iloilo’s students.

“In line with the Department of Education, we want the education system to be a promoter of change for the better,” Defensor said. “In this Voter Education Program, it is supposed to take care the very basic part of our society, our electorate that establishes our government and our democracy.”

The governor also emphasized the significance of voter education in strengthening democratic institutions.

“It is important that we have intervention that can make our electorate participate intelligently in our democratic processes so that we’ll have strong democratic institutions. Tama ka importante ang gina-ubra naton.”

He expressed gratitude to the educators for their vital role in shaping a more informed electorate.

“Indi ini madayon kung indi ninyo pagbuligan. Thank you very much for this session. We will emerge out of this prepared. Indi lang ini voter education program, we are creating better democracy here, better results. That’s the mindset that we want to inculcate.”

With this initiative, the Iloilo Provincial Government strengthens its commitment to democratic development by ensuring that future generations are equipped with the knowledge and values needed to make informed choices as voters.

Held under the Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BESProbins) Program, the workshop which started on March 24 brings together more than 100 Araling Panlipunan department heads and educators from across the province for an intensive training designed to strengthen the delivery of voter education in the classroom.

The program is expected to serve as a model for other provinces aiming to integrate voter education into their school curricula.

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