UIC Launches E-CHAMP

University of the Immaculate Conception has launched E-CHAMP for a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful, and Peaceful Elections towards good governance and political transformation and in fulfillment of the UIC’s mission to “work for justice, promote peace and preserve integrity of creation.”

The launch held January 20, 2016, Wednesday at UIC annex campus, gathered students to campaign for volunteers for the upcoming National and Local Elections. This project, spearheaded by the Davao Association of Catholic Schools’ (DACS’s) campaign was initially launched in 2013 Barangay Elections.

During the forum Mr. Bien Infante a social and political professor explained that “…this is not just a right nor a privilege but this is also an obligation of every Filipino citizen to choose and participate in this political process.”

Arriane Joy Monterde, a student and program president of Liberal Arts program, encouraged fellow students to participate in E-CHAMP. In her speech she said “I am taking the liberty, therefore, on this occasion to invite and call upon all the youth of this country to join hand with the forces of each one of us to be an advocate of this program. This is to restore a clean and complete peace and order throughout the length and breadth of the Philippine Election.”

The project aims to provide voters’ assistance, voters’ education and poll watching. Dr. Maribeth Galindo, E-CHAMP coordinator of the UIC, said that this is also a campaign in promoting Good Governance towards Political Transformation and Volunteerism especially among young college students considering that they will be our future leaders.” She added, “This time we will expect more volunteers to participate on this upcoming May 2016 Elections that are coming from the schools, including students, members of the faculty, clubs and school departments.”

Moreover she said that this program will have a series of integrated activities within the school, starting February 2016 after they will get official numbers of volunteers. It includes forum, symposium, and panel discussion.

Galindo also mentioned that all volunteers particularly students will be educated about the right to suffrage. This will allow them to know the importance of getting involved in a political process particularly in electing our next leader. (Reynaldo T. Bariquit, Jr.)