CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Mission and Social Involvement under the Central Student Government of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, a Cagayan de Oro-based university, will stage a forum dubbed “Pag-ila 2023: Kabataan, Pag-asa ng Bayan.” The activity, which will be held today until Oct. 26 will gather Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson candidates.

In a press briefing, Project Head Joanna Camille Aparece said that the two-day event will gather candidates from 1st and 2nd districts of Cagayan de Oro City running for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections and allow them to participate in a roundtable discussion.

Here, they will be given the opportunity to discuss their views on pressing local and national social issues and share their political platforms and ethical convictions.

The learning event also aims to promote informed civic engagement and address the real needs and concerns of the youth in Cagayan de Oro City.

"Pag-ila 2023 is genuinely a youth-led initiative. But beyond that, it is a collaborative effort of different stakeholders. So, it’s not just the students, it’s not just the institutions, but it also heavily involves the press. The media plays a vital role in ensuring that factual and, even more importantly, unbiased information is available to citizens from diverse backgrounds,” Aparece told the press.

The school-based organization will host the forum at the XU Grade School Auditorium, Macasandig Campus.

They have also reached out to other universities through posting on their social media accounts and other communication platforms about the “Pag-ila” forum and other crucial campaigns related to responsible voting. (PIA-10/IJBD)