By Maria Farina Roa

Different groups in Cagayan de Oro City converged at the voters’ education trainers’ training of Xavier University’s Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana - Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO) dubbed as “Kwentuhang Bayan” on May 30-31 at XU-AVR8.

In partnership with Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), civil society organizations, religious groups and academic institutions united to promote a clean and honest in May 2016 national and local elections.

SLB highlighted the importance of cascading voters’ education at the local level as KKP-SIO acts as the hub of electoral engagements in the next few months as the election season begins.

The coalition named Lambigit Igsoon para sa Hiniusang Pag-uswag sa atong Katilingban (LIHUK 2016) was created to sustain voters’ education in CDO, composed of various institutions, CSOs and individuals.

LIHUK 2016 programs aim to pave the way for active involvement in the promotion of good governance and participatory engagement in rebuilding Cagayan de Oro City to become the “most progressive and most dynamic” socio-cultural, political and economic hub in Mindanao.

Aside from voters’ education within and outside XU, its Research and Social Outreach (RSO) cluster continues to prepare for May 2016 through poll surveys, agenda building and popularization, candidates’ fora and linking up with the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).

KKP-SIO continues to emphasize on the sustainability of its efforts especially after elections.

Two of its major initiatives for CDO were the inception of the Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC) and the CDO People’s Council—both coined at XU and recognized by Kagay-anons.