Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) became the center of youth empowerment in the province on January 24, 2026 as it hosted the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for a high-impact Voter Education Caravan at the university gymnasium.

The event, headlined by the visit of COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, was aimed at preparing the academic community for the upcoming 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The university gymnasium was filled with students from the National Service Training Program (NSTP), representing the Literacy Training Service (LTS), Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), including the Navy. The gathering focused on strengthening voter awareness and instilling a deep sense of civic responsibility among the students.

A Partnership for Democracy

Earlier in the day, the university and the commission formally solidified their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This partnership is envisioned as a weaving of worthiness, intertwining the university's academic values with the commission’s mandate to protect the integrity of the ballot.

By merging education with civic duty, the initiative aims to produce graduates who are not only skilled professionals but also guardians of democratic institutions.

In his statement, the University President Prof. Victor Cañezo, Jr., EdD, CHRP emphasized this dual role of the university.

"Through this partnership, we believe in the idea that education is also about forming informed, responsible, and active citizens," the President said. "When we help our people understand their right to vote, we also strengthen our democratic institutions and safeguard the sanctity of the ballot."

Call to the Youth

With the 2026 elections on the horizon, the event served as a platform to challenge the youth to take their roles seriously. The President issued a direct call to the "BiPSUnistas," particularly those eligible to vote for the first time and those aspiring to run for the Sangguniang Kabataan.

"To our dear BiPSUnistas, especially our first-time voters and SK aspirants: be informed and be engaged," the President urged.

The caravan concluded with a renewed commitment from the student body to participate actively in the democratic process, marking a significant milestone in the university's extension services.

#WoWBiPSU