By Justin Vincent O. Altubar, Youth Advocacy Director, GoodGovPH
The Youth are stepping forward, not just to be heard, but to lead the way. We do not run out of young people who keep asking, “What does a government that truly serves its people look like?” Throughout the past months, our commitment to promoting youth-driven governance and strengthening democratic participation and grassroots leadership has been realized by providing them with the access, platforms, and guidance they need to turn their questions into action.
The year began with the launch of ActivateGov 2025 during the Filipino Youth Democracy Summit on January 18. The summit brought together over 200 participants from 124 organizations—including Sangguniang Kabataan councils, Local Youth Development Councils, student councils, and community-based organizations. With the theme “Simulan Natin Ulit! Kabataan Laban sa Katiwalian Para sa Malinis na Halalan 2025,” the summit talked about the role of youth in advancing transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption in governance, especially as the country prepared for the May midterm elections.
Following the summit, local civic hubs were established in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, composed of young leaders who initiated community-driven local civic actions. These included drafting position papers, profiling local communities, and building partnerships with SK councils to strengthen integrity and participation in governance at the local level.
The first half of 2025 also saw the Youth Board Fellowship transition from one cohort to the next. The outgoing 2024–2025 fellows organized GoodGovCon 2025, held on June 30 at TESDA Central Office Auditorium, Taguig City, with over 350 participants nationwide. The conference highlighted the role of youth in sustaining democratic momentum post-elections and promoting participation beyond the ballot.
Another milestone was the Múlat sa Munti: Children’s Storywriting Competition, which promoted integrity and good governance through storytelling for early childhood and primary-aged learners. With 26 submissions across English and Filipino categories, the competition culminated in two winning manuscripts now entering illustration and production. This marks the beginning of a creative advocacy that invests in the next generation.
Taking these efforts together, we have high hopes that civic hubs influence local governance, youth conferences sustain democratic energy, and creative advocacy inspires even the youngest citizens.
Looking Ahead
For July to December 2025, GoodGovPH will focus on sustaining and decentralizing good governance education and advocacy. This includes deepening the work of civic hubs outside NCR, scaling up ActivateGov training, and empowering a new cohort of Youth Board fellows. The organization is also committed to ensuring that grassroots voices are amplified in national conversations—especially in preparation for the upcoming Barangay and SK elections.
We see opportunities to collaborate with institutions and networks that can help extend civic education, strengthen grassroots organizing, and scale our innovative approaches, so that open governance becomes both a principle and a lived reality for communities across the Philippines.
