2 MIN READ

By DEXTER BACUD/CEGP
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY—Student leaders in Metro Baguio launched the “Students Deserve Better, Filipinos Deserve Better” campaign during the 12th Baguio Students Day (BSD) on September 14 at the University of the Philippines Baguio, calling for greater government support for education and social services.

The gathering, institutionalized through Baguio City Ordinance 43 of 2013, brought together more than 400 youth representatives from 15 schools in Baguio and Benguet this year.  The event included a full day of plenary discussions, leadership and organizing workshops, and breakout sessions to address campus-specific issues.

The Cordillera Youth Center (CYC), College Editors Guild of the Philippines–Cordillera, National Union of Students of the Philippine (NUSP)s–Cordillera, and Kabataan Partylist–Cordillera organized the activity with support from the city government, the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, and more than 35 youth groups.

According to CYC deputy director Janice Militar, the “Students Deserve Better” campaign responds to widespread concerns over corruption and the looming 2026 budget cutbacks. “We’re very much aware of the issue of rampant corruption today. It really sparked a question among young people, ‘Is this really where our taxes go to?’” Militar said in mixed Filipino and English.

She added, “Especially now, in the overall political climate, it really makes you question what our priorities are. If we say that ‘The youth are the hope of the nation,’ then we really should invest in our young people.”

The Anxiety and Depression Support Group-Baguio Youth Advocates described the event as “exemplary,” noting that workshops facilitated by experienced resource persons were not only educational but also “fun and engaging.”

 “(W)hat made the event truly possible was the hundreds of student participants from schools,” the group stated on Facebook. “The celebration was also a time of action and connecting with fellow students under the belief that we deserve better not only as Filipinos, but as students that have the potential to be leaders of today and tomorrow.”

NUSP Cordillera spokesperson Eugene Enciso said the event served as an avenue for students in the city to discuss issues and plan campaigns.

“This year’s BSD served as a launchpad for a student and youth-led campaign for transparency, accountability, and a reboot of the education sector and public services our people deserve,” said Enciso.

NUSP earlier reported that six state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the region face a combined budget cut of ₱1.3 billion. Two of these institutions are among those suffering the steepest reductions nationwide.

“It is unacceptable that while government officials and their allies swim in people’s money, millions of Filipino youth continue to drown in poverty and are being stripped of their basic right to education,” Enciso stated, adding Cordillera youth are linking arms with their counterparts nationwide.

Students from private schools also expressed concerns about rising tuition and other fees, stating that these increases haven’t led to better facilities or services.

BSD, the organizers said, is connected to ongoing programs and plans to further promote youth participation in governance, including a Regional Youth Summit in December that will bring together youth leaders from across Northern Luzon to develop policy recommendations and campaign strategies.#nordis.net