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The Center for Empowerment of Communities
(CEC) of Quezon City District 2 invited Namfrel through Atty. Moses
Florendo (Namfrel District 2 Chairman) to conduct a 2-day Voters
Education Program (VEP) in two barangays; Novaliches proper and
North Fairview in Quezon City last September 4 and 5. The CEC is a
non- stock, non-profit, non-government organization, which aims to
promote and strengthen people empowerment through the active
participation of marginalized individuals and communities in
institutions and processes which directly affect them.
As the Barangay and SK elections
draw near, CEC of Quezon City organized a voters’ education for
voters to inform them of their right to vote, how to choose their
candidates, how to guard their votes, and on how to ensure the
sanctity of their ballots. The voters’ education training is geared
to empower the electorate. This exercise allows citizens direct
participation in the choice of their next set of local leaders. |
About 30 trainers attended the seminar in
Novaliches. A number of participants are incumbent barangay
officials while 50 participants who are voters, trainers and
officials attended the North Fairview VEP. Atty. Florendo presented
a barangay module for the two seminars discussing common problems in
the political aspect of the barangay and other relevant details
concerning barangay administration and election. He also presented a
module concerning dengue related matters since Quezon City ranked
No.1 in the DOH list of the most number of dengue cases reported.
During the training, the issue of nepotism and political dynasties
in the local level was discussed. An appeal was made not to
misconstrue family members simultaneously serving in the barangay as
encouraging nepotism but have to be viewed in the light that they
have mandates being duly elected local leaders. On the other hand,
it is a challenge for these local political families to step down
and let other citizens run in their place. This act will spur
dynamism in the governance of barangays.
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