UP Cebu launches voters' education campaign, prepares for Pilipinas Debates Visayas leg

The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu launched Monday "wiseUP Cebu" wise voting and clean elections campaign with the tagline "Sayri! Barugi!" in a press conference, the UP Cebu Public Affairs Office posted on Facebook.

 

The project, according to UP Cebu Dean Liza Corro, culminates on March 20, when the campus hosts the Visayas leg of the presidential debate.

 

The series of debates, led by the Commission on Elections, is conducted with media partners for each leg.

 

On Sunday, the PiliPinas debate was held in Cagayan de Oro City in coordination with GMA Network and Philippine Daily Inquirer.

 

In the Visayas leg, media partners are TV5, The Philippine Star and Business World.

 

Professor Weena Gera, campaign project chairperson and UP Cebu's point person of UP system's "UP sa Halalan" project, said there will be a series of activities leading up to the scheduled debate next month.

 

There will be academics, experts, non-government organizations that will discuss on issues crucial to the elections.

 

Dean Corro said: "The issues to be tackled in the second leg will include climate change, women's rights, education, health, among others."

 

UP Cebu Performing Arts Hall, the debate venue, can accommodate an audience of 300-500 for live viewing.

 

Gregg Lloren, "wiseUP Cebu's" events manager, said UP Cebu will set up the campus grounds as well for an audience of 1,500. There will be an on-ground program featuring discussions with experts starting at 1 p.m. until the debate proper starts at 5 p.m.

 

"We are inviting 17 schools, and we might consider inviting a number of supporters for each candidate," said Lloren.

 

UP Cebu, the Comelec and media partners will have further discussions on the conduct of the debate and media coverage in the coming days with lessons from the first leg of the debate.

 

"We're here to help you," said Dean Corro to Cebu-based journalists who covered the press conference.

 

UP Cebu will set up a media center for breakaway press conferences with the candidates after the debate proper.

 

The UP Cebu Public Information Office will formulate mechanics for media coverage. — BAP, GMA News