Diversitas Journal

ISSN 2525-5215
Volume 8, Number 3 (jul./sept. 2023) p. 2762 – 2775
https://diversitasjournal.com.br/diversitas_journal

Youth in Nation-Building: A Qualitative Study on National and Local

Participation in Socio-Political Issues among Students

Youth in Nation-Building: A Qualitative Study on National and

Local Participation in Socio-Political Issues among Students

CALAWA, Ghea Lennette E.1*, DECUZAR, Earl Jhoen M.2, TERRIBLE, Dean Genesis M.3,
ALUBONG, Vina Mae N.4

(1) 0009-0006-4887-5748, University of Baguio, Baguio, Philippines, [email protected]

(2) 0009-0003-8673-9577, University of Baguio, Baguio, Philippines, [email protected]
(3) 0009-0006-2643-0967, University of Baguio, Baguio, Philippines, [email protected]
(4) 0009-0006-5481-2903, University of Baguio, Baguio, Philippines, [email protected]

The content expressed in this article is the sole responsibility of its authors.

ABSTRACT ARTICLE
INFORMATION
Youth participation in socio-political issues in this modern time is gradually rising, and the effects of it on
nation-building are well observed, especially when it comes to change and progress. The main objectives
of this study are to identify the instances where the students participate, to determine how students get Article process:
involved, to understand the driving force of youth participating, to understand the experience/s of the Submitted: 11/05/2023
students, and to determine possible causes why youth do not participate in national and local socio- Approved: 30/05/2023
political issues. Through the use of key informant interviews and focused group discussions, the Published: 03/07/2023
researchers found that participants have engaged and participated in different socio-political issues on a
national or local scale, such as civic engagement, volunteerism, policy-making, joining the labor sector,
safeguarding and preserving national sovereignty, information drive to combat cultural discrimination and
misinformation, and such. It was also discovered that a preference for social media and conventional
methods were used by participants in their participation, depending on their target audience and the
specific area where they would take part. Furthermore, it was unveiled that disinterest in youth, lack of
encouragement coming from the community leaders, and lack of ways to empower youth due to lack of
platforms are reasons youth do not participate in socio-political activities. Lastly, this study found that
participants are eager to participate to obtain self-awareness and knowledge. And the support from the
government and different institutions is needed in order to increase the awareness of the youth when it
comes to socio-political issues.
Keywords:
Civic Engagement, Nation-
RESUMO Building, Socio-Political
A participação da juventude em questões sociopolíticas nos tempos modernos está aumentando Issues, Volunteerism, and
gradualmente, e os efeitos disso na construção da nação são bem observados, especialmente quando se Youth Participation
trata de mudança e progresso. Os principais objetivos deste estudo são identificar as instâncias em que os
alunos participam, determinar como os alunos se envolvem, entender a força motriz da participação dos
jovens, entender a(s) experiência(s) dos alunos e determinar as possíveis causas pelas quais os jovens não
participam. não participar de questões sócio-políticas nacionais e locais. Por meio do uso de entrevistas
com informantes-chave e discussões de grupos focados, os pesquisadores descobriram que os participantes
se envolveram e participaram de diferentes questões sociopolíticas em escala nacional ou local, como
engajamento cívico, voluntariado, formulação de políticas, ingresso no setor trabalhista, salvaguardar e
preservar a soberania nacional, o impulso da informação para combater a discriminação cultural e a
desinformação, e outros. Constatou-se também que a preferência pelos meios sociais e métodos
convencionais foram utilizados pelos participantes na sua participação, dependendo do seu público-alvo e
da área específica onde iriam participar. Além disso, foi revelado que o desinteresse pelos jovens, a falta de
incentivo dos líderes comunitários e a falta de formas de empoderar os jovens devido à falta de plataformas
são motivos pelos quais os jovens não participam de atividades sócio-políticas. Por fim, este estudo
constatou que os participantes estão ansiosos para participar para obter autoconsciência e conhecimento.
E o apoio do governo e de diferentes instituições é necessário para aumentar a consciência dos jovens
quando se trata de questões sócio-políticas.

DOI: 10.48017/dj.v8i3.2675
 DIVERSITAS JOURNAL. Santana do Ipanema/AL, 8(3), 2023

Introduction
Students are a powerful demographic in society, as they are the most active participants
in pressing social, national, political, economic, as well as environmental issues that have made
their mark in the Philippines as well through volunteerism, civic engagement, and other forms
of participation. Such as traditional in form of protests, and armchair activism using social
media, and the internet. The youth movement in the Philippines is the most vibrant force of
societal and political change as they took part of the majority when it comes to voting and
serves the future generation who will take part in the citizenry of the country. The youth’s
participation is indeed essential when it comes to formal political processes and having a voice
on the future creation of politics.

The youth often find themselves marginalized when it comes to mainstream politics
and decision making and there are limited opportunities that the youth can participate in.
Considering that there are many obstacles in formal and institutionalized political processes
and few opportunities to get involved in and to be heard, it usually rapidly results in the youth
feeling disempowered and leaving them frustrated and neglected. There is a need also to
educate the youth on civic engagement and governance in order to fulfill these political,
democratic rights. This is seen in the weakness of the political parties which do not have entry
points for the youth to enter politics (Onda, 2018). There are studies that prove the relationship
between political awareness and political participation is not significant, even if there is a high
level of significance because of voting of political leaders and discussions only (Dioso &
Mendaña, 2019; Hermosa, 2021). There is also a problem of misinformation on the internet
since the internet serves a new space for participatory and democratic decision making.
Knowledge of current events and understanding politics are essential to improve their
awareness, academic performance and transform them to become better citizens. However,
the internet is rife with misinformation so it can be dangerous to the students especially when
they digested such information. This study seeks to understand and determine the
participation of the tertiary level students in the University of Baguio and how they participate
or get involved with socio-political issues.

Materials and Methods

The researchers utilized a qualitative-descriptive research design. The researchers

analyzed the participants’ responses to describe this study which involves recording,

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transcribing, coding, analyzing, and interpreting data gathered during the data-gathering
process.

The researchers have chosen the qualitative research design to understand why the
youth engage in such a kind of movement and to unearth the participants' opinions, thoughts,
and feelings about socio-political issues and how they participate. It is also effective in
determining the objectives, especially from the standpoint of the participants (students) when
it comes to student participation.

Sample/Population of the Study

The study was conducted among the tertiary students from the School of Teacher
Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) of University of Baguio. For the inclusion criteria on
selecting qualified research participants, the researchers decided that participants (students)
should come from the second to fourth-year level. Participants should have enrolled in any of
the programs offered under the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA).
Snowball sampling, or chain referral sampling, is used in qualitative research for the
researchers to generate participants (students) for a research study by referring to other
individuals who share common characteristics of a subject within the target population. The
researchers used Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in this
study. Random sampling was used to identify which three of the eight programs offered under
STELA were to participate in the KII, the remaining five of which will participate in FGD. Two
participants represented each STELA undergraduate program. For the KII, BAPS, BSEd, and
BAComm were randomly selected as the participating program. The remaining five programs
were split up to participate in separate FGDs (FGD 1 & FGD 2) for triangulation. BA Music and
BA English comprise FGD 1, while BA Psych, BEEd, and BSPEd comprise FGD 2. However,
with the circumstances faced in the previous focused group discussion, an FGD 3 was created
for data saturation, with different participants still coming from programs under FGD 1 and 2.
All in all, eighteen participants participated in the KII and FGDs from the eight baccalaureate
programs under STELA.

Data Gathering Tools

Semi-structured interviews were utilized to gather necessary information from the

participants about their personal experiences, perceptions, and observations regarding the
topic. The researchers used Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions since it is
essential for the study to gather the participants' perceptions, opinions, and personal
experiences. Such tools allow the opportunity to express themselves. Interviews and focus
groups provided a depth of information that may be useful to answer the objectives of the

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study. The questions for the interview were open-ended, with the researcher's interview guide
questions to understand the flow and identify further the participants' responses which were
associated with follow-up questions to probe further and gather data. Moreover, it allowed
participants to base their answers on their complete knowledge, experiences, observations, and
understanding of the topic. Thus questions do not limit their response to a set of options. Prior
to the conduct of interviews and focused group discussions, the researchers first processed and
secured a tool validation certification from the Research and Development Center (R&DC), to
ensure that the research tool was subjected to a review before proceeding to data gathering.
Video conferencing apps such as Google Meet and Zoom, social media platforms, or any other
medium the participants were comfortable using were the researchers' primary data gathering
tools. Due to continuing effects of the global pandemic, the researchers resorted to using
gadgets (i.e., laptops, mobile phones) with stable internet or Wi-Fi connection in place of
actual, in-person interviews.

Data Gathering Procedures

The researchers conducted a pre-survey on the selected participants from various

degree programs of STELA. After this, the pre-screening survey was sent to participants once
they were confirmed to be the participants. In the pre-survey screening, participants put a
check mark on the socio-political issues in which they have participated. Thus, the researchers
used it as their basis in interviewing the respondents regarding their participation in socio-
political issues. This also included the circumstances and factors that drive them to join such
socio-political activities and their experiences. Furthermore, the emails sent to the participants
included the informed consent form and the study's objectives. Researchers were informed
immediately by participants in case of unforeseen circumstances (e.g., internet connectivity
issues, power interruptions, conflict of schedule to other matters) that may affect the interview
or discussion.

The researchers scheduled the online interview based on the availability of the
participants, starting from KII before moving forward for the FGD. After the date was finalized,
before the day of the interview and focused group discussion, an email was sent to the
participants containing the meeting link and time for the interview. The interviews and the
focus group discussion lasted about thirty minutes to an hour. The researchers themselves
served as the interviewers and recorders of the interviews. Before the interview and focused

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group discussion proper, the researchers asked the participants if they allowed themselves to
be recorded during the virtual interview for ease of transcription.

Treatment of Data

The data obtained from the Key Informant Interview and Focused Group Discussion
were transcribed. Then analyzed and checked for validity and reliability before the data were
subject to thematic analysis. The researchers were guided by their research teacher and adviser
with the following process of thematic analysis. The researchers first familiarize themselves
with the collected data and to be followed by transcribing the interviews. After this, the coding
process was applied to unitize the text segment. As for the codes, researchers came up with a
word or short phrase that would descriptively capture the essence of each text. Codes are, in
fact, necessary to better analyze and summarize the results of the interview. The researchers
collated codes with the collected data, and themes were identified through the codes to be
grouped based on commonality and significance. The coded data would then be analyzed to
determine which themes occur most frequently in the contexts. The initial set of themes was
reviewed and revised first to ensure that every theme had sufficient data. Finally, the
researchers made a statement about the identified themes to link them all together.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations were observed in this study as the responsibility of the

researchers was to guarantee the privacy and confidentiality of the participant's responses as
well as the rights of the participants during the conduct of the study. Before the conduct of the
study, the researchers subjected the interview guide questions to tool validation assigned by
the Research Development Center (RDC). Moreover, the researchers secured the consent of
the participants by furnishing them with informed consent forms to be signed before the
interview. The researchers submitted the research proposal to the University of Baguio Ethics
Reviewer Committee for its thorough review to ensure that the proposal is free from any
possible unethical procedures and activities.

The researchers also recognize their responsibilities under the Republic Act. No, 10173,
otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, for the collection, recording, organization,
storage, updating or modification, retrieval, consultation, use, consolidation, blocking,
erasure, or destruction of personal data from the said participants. Any personal or sensitive
data that may be collected or recorded during the interviews were held under strict
confidentiality and were processed for research purposes only. Researchers also ensured the

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confidentiality and anonymity of the participants in KII and FGD, as researchers used
pseudonyms as codes.

Results and Discussions

Instances or Situations where Students Participate in Socio-Political Issues

Based on the data gathered from the participants, the researchers categorized the
national participation of youth from local participation where they involved themselves.

National Participation

It was identified that the students participate in socio-political issues. These involve,
probing unproven red-tagging, safeguarding and preserving national sovereignty and
territorial integrity, and combating cyberbullying.

In probing unproven red-tagging, "red-tagging" was coined decades ago by the

Philippine government which they used to further intensify its campaign against terrorism,
especially in combating the New People's Army. Red tagging is done by directly accusing
journalists, politicians, and activists supporting the cause of Communist Party of the
Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), which many would claim as an "anti-government"
organization. This issue was quite sensitive for the participants, hindering their participation
in socio-political issues. They want to take part in resolving these issues, but somehow they are
seen as a threat by most of the government instead of partners of peace (United Nations, n.d).
They feel scared or disheartened to hear that they are being red-tagged despite their efforts to
resolve socio-political issues. However, from the participants' responses, they also know the
precaution to be taken not to join an organization that promotes communist ideology, which
is usually red-tagged. Such as joining an organization that is legally registered and proven that
the organization is not encouraging youth to become members of the terrorist group.

In safeguarding and preserving national sovereignty and territorial integrity, it was

shown that the participants are engaging in security issues concerning the national security of
the Philippines, most especially the country's internal territory. The participants also gave
importance to the role of the military in providing the people security and delivery of basic
needs, which is hard to deliver to such remote places. Based on the responses of the
participants, they are aware of the state of the Philippines' leverage in terms of security issues.
From them, a responsible citizen must be interested in such matters because, in the end, they
will benefit from it. This is within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which

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the United Nations Security Council also adopted in 2015, where the youth has a significant
role in preventing and resolving conflicts.

Cyberbullying is done by sending and posting negative, harmful, and meaningful

content about one's personality and sharing private information about someone that causes
humiliation and embarrassment. Based on the participant's responses, the researchers
inferred that they are participating in combating cyberbullying due to their experience, as they
do not want other students to experience cyberbullying. Because it can affect their mental
stability and can cause psychological problems. In data presented by the Philippine National
Police, the authorities recorded 22 cyberbullying cases from the year 2017 up to March 2019,
which consisted of the majority of minors in the country. The country's law enforcement arm
cited cyberbullying as the most prevalent form of bullying among the Youth nowadays. In
addition, cyberbullying often transpires through social media. The Philippines National Police
created special force units to effectively address cyberbullying in schools in the Philippines
(Gonzales, 2019).

Local Participation

The study shows that participants need to be more engaged or participate nationally.
Based on the participants' responses, they also engage in local participation. Based on the data
gathered, participants are more engaged or participative in local issues.

Inculcating the spirit of volunteerism, it was shown that volunteerism is a fundamental

expression of human relationships. The importance of youth volunteerism provides the
opportunity to pass on different skills to civil society sectors. The participants narrated in their
responses that they are active in participating in any activities regarding volunteerism.The
participants themselves had the initiative to engage in volunteerism not because they could not
only reach out and help a particular community but also because they were learning something
about themselves based on their experiences and takeaways. The researchers inferred that
volunteerism has tested their limitations and allows them to go beyond their comfort zones.
Volunteerism creates meaningful change and encourages the youth to confront moral
dilemmas, look for better solutions and instill innovative thinking.

Engaging in Policy Reform and Legislation Processes, it was shown that the role of
citizens in a democracy as decision-makers is to enhance their analytical and defense skills in
examining matters of public agenda, form sound judgments, and establish a dialogue with
others as to findings and observations (Branson, 2015). These strategies became the driving
force of the students to participate in formal political processes such as legislation and
policymaking in national and local government units and lobbying certain public officials to
influence their decisions on a particular issue. Based on the participants' responses shows that

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some of the participants have engaged in the policymaking process in several socio-political
issues. These include youth welfare, lack of general application of laws and policies, and the
call for academic breaks and limited face-to-face classes. From the responses, it could be
inferred that participants have observed and participated in their community issues that
require a change of policies. Many young people are aware of politics because they are also
concerned with current trends related to the culture, behavior, and structure of Philippine
politics, especially its impact on their future and everyone.

Partaking in youth service (tree planting, clean-up drive, community service, seminar),
it was shown in the responses of the participants that they are joining tree-planting activities,
clean-up drives, community service, and seminars in their localities. From the response, the
researchers inferred that the informants engaged in several environmental activities such as
tree planting projects, cleanup drives in their respective communities, climate change and
development aggression, and even attending seminars discussing environmental issues.
Environmental education has a vital part to play in promoting environmental awareness. Aside
from the current activities (tree-planting, cleanup drives, community service, and protests)
that promote environmental awareness during pre-pandemic days up to the present Covid-19
Pandemic, new ways to educate youth have emerged, such as through the use of technology.
Webinars are being utilized to get in touch with the youth. Youth continue embracing
conventional and mechanical methods to contribute to environmental care and security.

In advocating mental health awareness, it was shown that, due to the heightened
demand for academics and the difficulty of gathering resources in order to continue education
and all other needs, mental health becomes a rising challenge and issue since there are reports
and cases of suicide, depression and other related illnesses. A number of the participants have
expressed their support for promoting mental health awareness. Having the youth start to
support such a cause gives us an idea of the evolving needs and broadening of different
perspectives, such as why this issue is happening, which can be deduced from different reasons.
They find ways to improve their participation and engage with social issues that open them up
to other opportunities and share them with others. The idea has been supported by a study in
which the interest in the mental health and well-being of university students has grown in the
last decades and in a very significant way during the last ten years, indicating that this area has
not still reached its maturity period and will continue developing in the future (Hern√°ndez-
Torrano, 2020).

In advancing the gender equality agenda, it shows that some of the participants show
their support by providing platforms and programs to support the students who are members
of the LGBTQIA+ community. The participants also invite others to support the cause for the
government and others to give attention to the community and the concept of gender equality.

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The participants gave importance to gender equality. Some of the participants engaged with
the cause through curiosity and learning information. As such, they participate in
organizations that support gender equality, and by gender, this includes the non-
heteronormative ones belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. The connection to political
participation also increases their participation in such issues to provide resolution to it or, if
not, raise awareness to other youth through inviting friends and colleagues whom they think
will somehow contribute to new legislation. The participants' statements also created an
atmosphere of trust in other young people to be confident about themselves, which is why most
of them organized events where the sense of belongingness within these young people is that
they are not left out.

In petitioning for an academic break, it shows that, in 2021, some students lobbied
members of the City Council of Baguio to call for the implementation of academic breaks in
various higher education institutions in the city due to recorded incidents of alleged suicide
and other mental health problems. Even though the online class learning platform still exists
today, only some students have access to a stable internet, and their electronic learning packets
still need to be improved. In the meantime, a few colleges in Baguio City announced a scholastic
ease or "health break" to grant students and staff a chance to recover their well-being from
overwhelming scholarly workloads. From the participants' responses, they know the
educational issues on their school premises. The pandemic brought rise to a learning
emergency with a significant effect on the mental and physical well-being of students,
instructors, and administrators. With the burden of studying in an online set-up, students call
for an academic break. Thus factors such as poor internet connection, the cost of a mobile load,
and financial problems were associated with many lockdowns that had happened. Contributing
to the stress and anxiety of students, they call for an academic break for students to regain and
recover for better productivity.

In organizing outreach programs, it was shown that aside from participating in

educational-related issues in their school, a participant shared an experience in the outreach
program and conducting activities for youth. From the response, the researchers inferred that
giving the platform to create youth activities brings positive community development. The
participant was able to empower youth such as college dropouts, high school, and elementary
to showcase their talent and build their confidence and capabilities through joining activities
that were created for them. Indeed youth are agents capable of guiding the community toward
goodness and well-being. Flanagan and Christens (2021) point out that more youths are
allowed to participate and contribute to associations or beneficial activities will create more
relationships with the community, and the enhancement of Youth leadership skills involved in
the decision will enable a decision to be made relevant and does not harm the youth.

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In the information drive to combat cultural discrimination and misinformation,

according to Amnesty International (2022), indigenous peoples are often marginalized and
face discrimination in countries' legal systems, leaving them even more vulnerable to violence
and abuse. Discrimination is why Indigenous peoples make up 15% of the world's extremely
poor. Cultural Misinformation is false information surrounding cultural issues or topics,
spread unintentionally (NBCI Trust, n.d.). The participants claimed that they are much more
active in raising awareness of cultural issues because of the misinformation and discrimination
observed and experienced by the Indigenous People. That is why youths participate in cultural
issues through sharing information on Facebook, joining in seminars and competitions such
as infographic videos that show the information drive of the culture, and competing in Baguio
Youth Parliament 2002, promoting the creation of Youth Indigenous who would be genuine
and devoted in addressing the central issue of culture. Based on the participants' responses
from the focused group discussion, they know the discrimination and Misinformation about
indigenous people in the Cordillera. They are educating their fellow students to combat cultural
discrimination and Misinformation.

Methods Used by Students to Participate in National and Local Socio-Political Issues

1. Mixed Mode of Participation (Social Media and Conventional Modes)

The participants utilized the mixed mode of participation involving the use of
social media and the non-use of technology or conventional means. The participants
prefer a mixed mode of participation that would depend on the target audience and the
particular issue in which they will participate.It was shown that the participants have a
personal choice as to which platforms they will use to participate in a particular socio-
political issue. However, it also depends on the scope of how they will participate in
various activities. A participant said they would use social media if social issues are
being discussed and conventional platforms for cultural, environmental, and
educational issues. Meanwhile, a participant considered the target audience using
social media and conventional platforms to make their strategy efficient in
participating in socio-political issues. The researchers also inferred that social media
and conventional leading platforms to participate in socio-political issues are effective.

Experience/s of the Participants in Becoming Part of National and Local Socio-Political

Issues

a. Perceive Self-actualization

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Based on the participants' responses, the researchers inferred that participation

in socio-political issues has the positive effects of self-awareness, unearthing talents,
practical socialization skills, gain of more remarkable growth or insights and knowledge
that develop youth in terms of participating in any socio-political issues within their
communities. Youth participation in different socio-political issues tends to further
develop their skills in forming sound judgments and opinions and how they are
governed. They also get themselves involved to shape the decisions made by political
personalities that could impact their lives. One advantage of becoming part of different
political movements is the greater learning capacity which connotes awareness of
issues and a better understanding of institutions to know how they work.

b. Emerging of Envy, Judgements, Self-Confusion

Participants are very particular about the negative effects of participating in

socio-political issues wherein their confidence was downgraded because of other
peoples' judgments towards them. Their actions were unappreciated, which affected
insecurities that led them to question their capabilities. The youth, especially
adolescents, is considered to be the period of developing crucial political competencies,
which justifies the need for greater attention to the effects of socializing factors
(Tzankova & Cicognani, 2019). Hence, this is a formation period in developing their
awareness and consciousness. That is why the political culture must be conducive
enough to foster high levels between interpersonal trust and life and political
circumstances that will result in relatively long-lived and stable democratic
institutions.

c. Instilling Nationalism and Patriotism

The participants showed their love for their country as they believed that
participating in socio-political issues would remain a way to show their love for their
country. With the participants' statements, the researchers can infer that the youths
still believed that nationalism and patriotism are instilled through participating in
socio-political issues. Strong characters among youth who love the country are capable,
credible, and confident (Johari, 2021). The participants also imply that everything will
follow, such as engaging in one issue, which will drive the government to give attention
or solution through laws, intervention programs, and other forms of support to that
particular issue. The youth believed that there is a strong sense of urgency to move and
resolve these socio-political issues from the values formed so that they will do
something about it, such as knowing the processes of the government and the solution

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to these socio-political issues. Engaging in socio-political will eventually instill

nationalism and patriotism in themselves.

Possible Causes Why Youth do not Participate in National and Local Socio-political issues

a. Disinterested Youth

The researchers inferred from the participants' responses that youth are
disinterested in participating in socio-political issues because as long as they are not
affected by the status quo problem, they will not show interest in participating. As
stated by Almond and Verba on their types of political culture, parochial political
culture people have neither knowledge nor interest in politics and no orientation in
political inputs, outputs, and political systems. In this research, the participant's
responses on the effect of youths' disinterest in participating in socio-political issues
are the hardest part because even though they are aware of the problem but will not
participate, the process of progress will be stagnant.

b. Lack of Encouragement coming from the Community Leaders (Barangay officials and
Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons)

As mentioned by the participants, the causes of why youths are uninvolved in

participating in socio-political issues is because of the failings of the leaders in
encouraging the youths to participate in the activity, the lacking in the dissemination
of information, and the limited availability of programs offered by the leaders of the
community. According to ACE (2022), young people can rapidly feel disempowered
when there are lackings and obstacles to participating in formal, institutionalized
political processes. Many people used to believe that their voices would only sometimes
be heard. It leads to the exclusion among youth in formal political processes or debates
about major socio-political issues, despite their sensitivity to the demands for social
equity and justice, environmental protection, and cultural diversity.

Conclusion
Participants engage and participate in national and local socio-political issues present
in their community. The researchers found that students start to take part in participating
when they gain awareness of the issues. However, without awareness they do not engage,
because they do not understand the significance of their participation in the issues. It was also
found that if participants are given platforms such as competition (e.g., policy-making,

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infographics), seminars/webinars, dialogues talks, able to organize activities, participate in

civic engagement, that creates awareness. This built knowledge and initiative towards them to
address issues and public concerns they see in their surroundings.

This research shows that most young people participate in socio-political issues
through a mixed method, a combination of social media and conventional platforms. The
researchers found that participants have their preferences, which depend on their convenience
to the extent of what and how they participate. Participants are used to using social media to
engage in such a cause because it creates a larger space to disseminate information and to
influence and encourage other young people in civic engagement.

The researchers find out that youth who participate in socio-political issues have been
experiencing positive and negative criticisms within their family, community, peers, and even
in the institution to which they belong. Furthermore, it was unveiled that disinterest in youth,
lack of encouragement coming from the community leaders, and lack of ways to empower
youth due to lack of platforms are some of the reasons why youth do not participate in socio-
political activities. The researchers found that there are lacking activities formulated by their
barangay, school institution, and community leaders to boost youth engagement. The
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), a council meant to represent the youth in Local Governance and
amplify the youth to participate in civic activities actively, needs to be more decisive in
constructing and implementing activities that tackle youth empowerment.

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