MANILA, Philippines – He motioned his hand in the air to emphasize his words as he discussed election issues such as education and corruption like a pro.

But Juan Seguo Buenvuaje, 17 years old, is not even an advocate nor a voter.

He is among the thousands of students who wrote letters addressed to the country’s next president in a writing activity dubbed as “Dear Next President.”

With just a few months away from the 2016 elections, Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched its 3rd nationwide letter-writing campaign on Friday, October 9.

But does a person – who is too young to vote – know enough to be able to write a letter to the president?

If there’s anything that Buenvuaje and his fellow students proved, it is that the young should not be taken for granted in the context of nation-building.

Education

“Kahit sa murang edad ko na ito, nalalaman ko na maraming problema sa ating bansa,” Buenvuaje said in an interview with Rappler. (Even at my age, I’ve become aware of the many problems of our country.)

Education topped the list of things he believes the next president should prioritize. A student of PSHS-Main campus, Buenvuaje shared how old and inadequate their school equipment are.

“Galing sa gobyerno ang pera para sa aming mga gamit at para gawin ang aming mga imprastraktura – ngunit matanda na ang mga ito – hindi na namin masyadong magamit,” Buenvuaje shared.

But their problems pale in comparison to the ones experienced by schools outside Manila, he said.

Despite living in Manila, he is familiar with anecdotes and reports about overcrowded classrooms, inadequate school materials, and inaccessible schools in other provinces. He believes that they should be given the equal attention provided to schools in urban areas. 

“Paano kaya kung sila talaga ang may solusyon sa ating problema ngayon. Paano natin mahuhubog ang kanilang utak at kakayahan kung ang mismong mga gamit nila pang-aral tulad ng libro ay `di mabigay ng ating gobyerno?” Buenvuaje added.

(What if those studying there have the solutions to our problems today? How can we mold their minds and skills if they lack books?) 

Other issues

Among the other topics raised by the students were corruption, public transportation, and fast Internet access. 

“Ayusin din po natin ang pampublikong transportasyon lalo na po ang MRT. Kawawa naman po ang mga sumasakay dito na naabutan ng aberya sa loob ng mga ito,” Matthew VIllabala, 17, said. (Let’s fix public transportation – especially the MRT. I pity the commuters who experience its periodic breakdown.)

In Metro Manila, traffic and crowded train shuttles are commonplace. The government has implemented several solutions to ease the situation – beep cards, express buses, and the Highway Patrol group. 

Reports show, however, that none of these were able to cause noticeable and sustained improvement in the long run.

“Sikapin po natin panagutin ang tiwaling opisyal ng pamahalaan na nandaraya sa pamahalaan. Kung mayroong Tuwid na Daan, malinis din dapat ito,” Villabala added.

(Let’s try our best to make corrupt government officials accountable. If there is a “Straight Path”, it should also be clean.)

“Tuwid na Daan” is the flagship program of President Benigno Aquino III.

In the past 6 years, the country witnessed several corruption cases – from the pork barrel scam to overpriced buildings and services in Makati. 

Youth voice

These are just few of the topics tackled by the students in their letters addressed to the next president. PHLPost will compile all the letters and hopefully, will be able to present this to the next elected president of the Philippines.

While these students are too young to vote, they acknowledge their crucial role as stakeholders in nation-building.  

“Sana marining po niya ang aming maliit na boses. Kami ang mga susunod na mga pinuno kaya naniniwala ako na kailangan niyang malaman ang aming mungkahi para sa bansa,” Buenavuaje added. 

(I hope he listens to us. As the next leaders in the future, he should also listen to what we have to say.)

Buenavuaje remains hopeful but says he will not be complacent. When the next president is elected, he promised to help keep him accountable, especially to the youth. – Rappler.com