To bolster civic engagement ahead of the 2025 elections, the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), in collaboration with the Indigenous Women Resource Center (IWRC), recently convened 43 community leaders in South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur. The February 24th forum, primarily attended by women and youth from seven barangays, provided a crucial political education session, focusing on the upcoming May 2025 mid-term Philippine elections and the historic first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections in October.

This South Upi forum, the inaugural event in a series supported by the Australian Government, brought essential political knowledge directly to the grassroots level. Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the peace process culminating in the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the significance of the parliamentary elections in the BARMM. Through engaging audio-visual presentations, they were guided through election day voting procedures, demystifying the process and building confidence. A thorough question-and-answer session further clarified any lingering uncertainties.

The necessity of such political education was underscored by Sheila Algabre, IAG Director for Programs. Citing IAG Research data, she highlighted that a significant majority of likely voters in Maguindanao del Sur possess either no knowledge (68%) or only minimal knowledge (27.9%) of the new regional parliamentary election system. "Bringing political education closer to communities where it's most needed is more critical than ever," Algabre emphasized.

"There is a need to build the capacities of women leaders so that they can effectively assert their needs and rights in public space. The 2025 BARMM elections is crucial because it will be the first time that Bangsamoro voters will choose their leaders in a new set-up. We thank the IWRC for their collaborative efforts in reaching community leaders, especially given the complexities of the new BARMM parliamentary system,” she added.

Maria Sargan, IWRC Board Member, emphasized the strategic focus on women during this inaugural forum. “What I’ve observed is that we, indigenous women, are consistently overlooked. We are often denied access to leadership positions. Therefore, it’s imperative that we stand up and ensure our voices are heard. To my fellow women, we must exercise our right to vote. We require allies—those candidates who champion women’s issues. We must, in turn, offer them our support.”

The intimate and accessible nature of the forum fostered an environment where participants felt comfortable asking questions, a crucial aspect given the IAG Research findings that family and friends (42.2%) are the primary sources of election information in the BARMM, followed by social media and the internet (36.2%). Women participants pledged to disseminate the knowledge gained to their families and communities.

Elsie Mukodef, another IWRC Board Member, highlighted the dual focus of their outreach: encouraging women to vote and supporting candidates with robust platforms for women. “As voters, we scrutinize candidates for their commitment to the people and the nation. We hope for peaceful and fair elections, where the will of the people prevails. It’s disheartening when money overshadows genuine merit, sidelining candidates with valuable ideologies and platforms due to limited resources. At the IWRC, we are committed to ongoing voter education, ensuring informed choices that shape the future of our generations. We seek candidates who truly advocate for women’s issues.”

Despite women constituting a significant majority (54.2%) of likely voters in the BARMM, IAG Research indicates that women’s rights issues are often overshadowed by economic concerns. In a region where poverty remains pervasive, economic survival understandably takes precedence. However, the active participation of youth in the South Upi forum offered a beacon of hope.

Danlouie Salering, Sangguniang Kabataan chairman from Barangay Itaw, stressed the importance of youth participation. “As young people, we understand the critical importance of voting in the 2025 elections, as our community’s future rests on our choices. Voter education initiatives, such as those conducted by IAG and IWRC, are important. They not only provide us with knowledge of our rights but also equip us with a clear understanding of the voting process.”

Salering also highlighted the educational challenges faced by his community. “In Barangay Itaw, educational access is a challenge. Being the second most remote barangay from the town center, we lack a local high school. This forces students to undertake a daily 30-minute trek on rough roads to a neighboring barangay just to pursue their education. Furthermore, the absence of internet connectivity significantly hinders their learning opportunities."

IAG Research data underscores the youth’s focus on education, with education and scholarships being the single most important issue for likely voters aged 20 to 29 (18.4%), and equally important for teen voters aged 17 to 19 (19.3%), alongside livelihood projects. This highlights the critical need to address the educational and economic challenges faced by the youth in the BARMM, ensuring their active and informed participation in the region’s democratic processes.