
Students of the IR 225 (Design and Administration of Training Programs) class at the University of the Philippines Diliman – School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR), in collaboration with the Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness (CIPC), hosted a seminar entitled, “Your Vote Matters: A Guide on Responsible Voting,” on November 25, 2024, at the Isabelo de los Reyes Auditorium, Bonifacio Hall. The event aimed to empower Filipino voters ahead of the 2025 Philippine elections by bridging civic education with practical insights to foster a culture of responsible and informed citizenship.
The seminar was attended by 48 on-site participants from various organizations and reached over 3,300 viewers via Facebook Livestream. This comprehensive program brought together newly registered and renewed voters to discuss the significance of civic engagement in strengthening democracy and the tools necessary for making informed voting decisions.
About IR 225
IR 225 focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating training programs applied to organizational contexts to improve workforce capabilities. The course emphasizes how a well-trained workforce contributes effectively to achieving organizational goals and objectives while enhancing employability, career mobility, and earning potential through these training interventions.

Significance of the Seminar
The seminar sought to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to actively engage in the Philippine democratic process. By understanding the importance of individual votes and voter turnout, attendees recognized their power to influence government actions and policies.
Participants gained insights through three key sessions:
- Ms. Dothy Grace Bungay discussed the significance and magnitude of individual votes.
- Atty. Michael Daguinod explored the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and their influence on public policy.
- Dr. John Mark Distor emphasized critical evaluation of political information, including identifying credible sources and debunking misinformation.
By the seminar’s end, attendees were empowered to make informed voting decisions, advocate for their rights, and foster responsible civic participation in their communities.

Training Process
The seminar followed a structured training process to maximize learning outcomes:
- Training Needs Analysis (TNA): Conducted to identify knowledge gaps and inform program design.
- Defined Learning Objectives: Clear terminal and specific expected outcomes ensured effective delivery of content.
- Content Delivery: Comprehensive modules covered topics such as voter rights, the voting process, and elected officials’ roles.
Facilitators Ms. Rosalie Ann Bolo and Ms. Grace Ysabelle Pascual led interactive discussions and activities, while an open forum addressed participants’ queries. The training team, including Ms. Bea Teresa Sengco, Ms. Jean Ang, Ms. Jenica Rosibelle Dela Cruz, Ms. Kris Lalis, and Ms. Michelle Trenio, provided additional support. Effectiveness was assessed through post-learning evaluations and activity feedback forms.

Training Objectives
The seminar’s objectives included:
- Explaining key aspects of the democratic process.
- Empowering participants to make informed decisions.
- Highlighting constitutional and international legal frameworks guaranteeing voting rights in the Philippines.
- Analyzing voting barriers and providing strategies to overcome them.
- Educating on elected officials’ roles and qualifications.
- Encouraging critical evaluation of political information and identification of reliable sources.

Key Findings from the Training Needs Analysis
The TNA revealed valuable insights into participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and challenges regarding the voting process:
- Knowledge Gaps: While 88.9% understood voter registration procedures, 30% were unsure of the next election date, and 24.2% were unaware of registration deadlines. Additionally, 13.1% required further clarification on voting steps.
- Familiarity with Elected Positions: 73.4% demonstrated moderate familiarity, highlighting room for deeper understanding.
- Media Literacy: Only 26.5% felt very confident in identifying credible information sources, emphasizing the need for enhanced media literacy resources.
- Positive Attitudes Toward Voting: 82.5% strongly agreed on the importance of voting, and 72.4% believed their votes make a difference. However, reliance on traditional media (78.3%) underscored the need for broader access to diverse and credible sources.
Participant Feedback on Voting Challenges
Participants noted challenges such as unfulfilled campaign promises and misalignment between candidates’ actions and voter values. These insights highlighted the importance of comprehensive voter education and accessible, accurate political information.

Through their efforts, the students of IR 225, together with CIPC, showcased the transformative power of collaborative civic education in empowering Filipino voters to contribute meaningfully to the democratic process.