POCHOLO D. GONZALES and the Voice Of The Youth Network

POCHOLO D. GONZALES and the Voice Of The Youth Network
How do you empower apathetic and ignorant young people to make a difference? How do you maximize the efforts of youth leaders who are actively promoting social change and environmental awareness? Where will you get the information that is necessary for the real youth development and environmental preservation? Such questions have long motivated me on my work as a youth advocate. I see great promise for engaging the active participation of Philippine youth in helping to revolutionize a range of critical environmental and social problems.

“With young people – ages 15 to 30 – making up one-third of the Filipino population, we play an increasing large role in the development of Philippine society,” “Their attitudes, values, mindset, and priorities have a critical role to play in shaping the future of our country.”

In December 2002, through my founded organization TINIG KABATAAN, I started the VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK’s! YOUTHINK AND LINK. I believe that the media – radio, TV, newspaper, mobile phones and the Internet offers an influential means to inspire, inform, empower and involve youth. A critical component of VOTY’s effort is the use of the Internet to facilitate communication and information-sharing of the resources and opportunities to make a difference.
Our website (www.voty.org) contains information on youth participation; a calendar of local, national and international events; newsletter; relevant links and issues. E-mail discussion groups also enable youth to share what they know and network with one another.

The PHILIPPINES has firmly established its reputation as the “texting” capital of the world, with this technology and “pay-it-forward” strategic plan VOTY had informed and reached more than 100,000 youth through email, 5,000 through SMS and continuously collecting more emails and mobile phone numbers.
I also educate countless newspaper readers and VOTY radio program “VOICE OF THE YOUTH” and “LAKAS KABATAAN, TINIG KABATAAN! RECHARGED! ” (YOUTH POWER, VOICE OF THE YOUTH!! RECHARGE!! aired every Saturday at DZME 1530 khz. 12-1 P.M. where part of it is promoting gender equality and empower women and the youth and raising their voices on policies that have an impact on them. We’ve also harnessed the potential of the youth engagement for the environment, raised awareness about environmental issues that affects our lives.

I utilized today’s communications technologies by strengthening youth participation, leadership and empowerment. VOTY’s flagship program the LOCAL YOUTH ACTION FORUMS has already created a big impact to its members and its communities. VOTY dream of creating a national youth centre in the Philippines and has given numerous Filipino youth the opportunity to understand organizational issues, develop their own advocacy skills and actively engaged in identifying their needs, capabilities and talents allowing them to be empowered to change the cycle of their lives and make a difference.