Published by: Kim Ashley Masagca
Date published: May 9, 2022
Time published: 4:04pm
Colors now became meaningless and hand signs returned to their original purpose of being wacky poses for pictures. All has been done, and the grueling 90 days of the campaign period came to an end on May 8, 2022, once the clock struck 12 AM.
Decided or not, voter or not, all of us just want one thing at the end of all these social media fights and relationship feuds—change. And your vote, even if it is just one amongst the 67 million registered voters, is the one tool that can help this country have the change the people have wanted for so, so long.
The Philippines has long been a democratic country, where every person has the right to choose their upcoming leaders by voting. It might feel like the voice of one person cannot be heard amongst the collective chatter of those in power, but here is something we always forget: the ordinary people are the most powerful in a democratic nation. Your vote matters now more than ever for you are not only voting for yourself, but your vote also affects:
I. The Environment
All during the month of April, climate change protests have been happening all around the world in response to IPPC scientists’ warning of ‘now or never’ when it comes to lessening the impact of climate change. On April 24, a climate activist, known as Wynn Bruce, set himself on fire in front of the Supreme Court as a way to bring attention to the ongoing climate crisis. It is no doubt, though, that this climate crisis has been happening long before the warning of IPCC scientists. Greta Thunberg, aged 15 back then, had also started her protest in 2018, inspiring the youth to follow her steps in begging the government to take steps in alleviating carbon emissions.
It is also important to note that while small actions can contribute to the betterment of the Earth’s condition, the main cause of carbon emissions and harmful wastes are big companies that continue to play a part in using materials that are detrimental to the planet. This climate crisis is political, whether you like it or not—for it is in the government’s power to make laws that can help our environment.
II. COVID-19
On January 30, 2020, the lives of the Filipino people changed forever as a 38-year-old Chinese woman was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive. By February 2020, legislators pressured the administration on imposing a travel ban on flights from China. President Duterte then declared a state of public health emergency on March 8, 2020, resulting in the suspension of classes. A partial lockdown started roughly on March 15.
Now, in May 2022, approximately 2 years from the first lockdown, we are still stuck inside our houses wondering when this pandemic will finally meet its desired resolution.
The next set of government officials is a pivotal part of our country’s pandemic response as they may be the ones to find ways on how we can finally get rid of our masks in public; a sign of the 2-year-old pandemic’s end.
III. The Future of the Next Generation
The six years following the nerve-wracking elections on May 9 isn’t just six years. For a whole generation, a lot might happen in those said years—college students finally graduating and finding jobs, high school students finally getting into their chosen university, and elementary students finally having their taste of self-discovery once they enter high school. These six years may just mean one term to a government official, but to ordinary people, especially students, the aftermath of this election is their future.
Your vote is a step towards a safer future for the next generation. It is a means for them to live in a world where they are not scared for they are being protected by public servants. Think of your sons and daughters, your younger brothers and sisters, and the youth that are stuck doing online classes in hopes of a better future; think of them and remember the importance of your vote for these people.
Now, imagine this: there is a puzzle slowly being solved as time goes by, and it only needs one more piece for it to be finally completed. But then, you decided not to take part in that puzzle for you feel as if it was already finished before you could even fit your piece. This is what happens when you do not vote—you settle for an almost.
Yes, it might feel like you are a speck compared to 67 million registered voters, but your vote may be the final piece needed to complete an almost concluded puzzle, a change that the Filipino people have yearned for years on end.
Let your vote be a testament to the youth who try their best to shape a better future for their generation, to the Filipino people who are tired of broken promises from politicians, and to the country that has suffered so much in so little time. Every vote counts. Sometimes, it might seem like your vote is not enough to amplify the voice of an individual, but when this desire to speak gets multiplied by millions of Filipinos, then you will be heard because you are the most powerful during the 2022 elections.
photo source: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/jigsaw-puzzle-with-missing-piece-missing-puzzle-pieces_5469652.htm
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