Today, 30 October 2023, Filipinos from all walks of life are expected to participate in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, or BSKE, to decide who will get to serve as their community or youth leaders in the next three years.

There's no belittling the BSKE or the positions at stake because they are crucial to providing services to the public. Grassroots officials, after all, are among the government's frontliners in providing services to the people.

Barangay and SK leaders carry out undertakings that directly cater to the demands of their constituents and are essential to the planning and handling of nearly all governmental functions.

This fact became apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic when barangay officials served as the government's direct links to the governed. This has also held true during disasters and calamities when the government has had to go down to the barangay level to assist households.

In the Philippines, voter indifference has risen in recent years. Many Filipinos, particularly the younger generation, do not see voting in local elections as important. 

But it's crucial to keep in mind that Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay officials are the ones who are closest to the populace. They are the ones who know their constituents' wants and worries the best.

There are numerous reasons why all Filipinos should cast ballots in the BSKE elections. Foremost among these is the need to select leaders who will provide the community with essential services and not profit from their positions.

The opportunities for corruption, it should be stressed, abound in the BSK, as we had also seen during the pandemic when some barangay officials hoarded and gave their relatives relief assistance intended for their constituents.

Barangay officials also have a lot of say when it comes to community projects like street lighting, trash collection, disaster preparedness, and mitigation measures. Filipinos have the power to elect leaders who will guarantee that these vital services are available to their communities through voting.

For the BSKE, the saying, "Kung sinu-sino na lang," or whoever is available would be it, should not be the norm. The young voters need to be encouraged to participate in the democratic process, especially in electing the Sangguniang Kabataan leaders who would genuinely be their voice in barangay councils.

The BSKE gives Filipinos a chance to hold their community leaders responsible for their actions while in office, telling them that the electorate will not put up with dishonesty and ineptitude.

In any democracy, voting is a vital civic duty and right. Voting is how people participate in the political process and select leaders. If we may appropriate that old saying, "We deserve the leaders that we elect."

So, it's not just a matter of voting, really, but voting wisely, and turning our backs on those who try to get elected through the use of money.

Together, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan leaders must be able to tackle problems like drug misuse, crime, and poverty within their communities by helping the police and other authorities do their jobs.

Historically, elections have been the cornerstone of democracy. We must remember that the democratic system we enjoy today is a hard-won achievement.

The Philippines has seen the tumultuous years of authoritarian rule, and it is through democratic elections that we have regained the right to choose our leaders freely.

The BSKE continues that tradition, allowing us to elect leaders who will shape our local governance, uphold our values, and represent our interests.

It is crucial to understand the significance of the democratic process in contrast to other systems that disregard the choice of the governed. In authoritarian regimes, leaders are not elected by the people but are imposed upon them.

Citizens do not have the power to decide who will lead them, and their voices are silenced. In contrast, our democratic system allows us to select leaders who reflect our values and aspirations.

Let us not take this privilege for granted. Voting in the BSKE reflects our commitment to the principles of democracy. It is a chance to ensure that the government remains accountable to the people.