The next barangay elections in the Philippines will be held on 30 October 2023, Monday. 'Barangay' is the smallest of the administrative divisions in my country. It is known in other places as a 'village'. Barangays make up the cities and municipalities. Every barangay has sitios and puroks (smaller units or clusters) but their leaders are not elected.
Lifted from the Inquirer, the following is the complete calendar (2023) related to the coming barangay elections in the Philippines --
- Filing of certificate of candidacy – July 3 to 7
- Election period – July 3 to Nov. 14
- Campaign ban – July 8 to Oct. 18
- Campaign period – Oct. 19 to 28
- Liquor ban (Campaigning Prohibited) – Oct. 29 to 30
- Election day – Oct. 30
- Last day of filing statement of contributions and expenditures – Nov. 29
Recently I got messages from some of the aspiring candidates and / or their relatives and friends, expressing their intent to run or rerun as candidates for the local barangay elections.
In our barangay, I have gathered that four (4) people are aspiring for the post of barangay captain.
One is the incumbent barangay captain who has been in his post for two (2) terms and has so far contributed a lot to the development of the community. His and my families have been friends since the previous generation. His father (RIP) was a former barangay captain, too. If he wins, this is his last term.
The second is my elementary classmate and close friend, a relative and beloved mother of my godson (her first-born child). She has been in local public service for 33 years or more than half of her life, which is 65% of her current age (which means she started serving the constituents at the age of 24).
The third is the elder sister of my younger brother's wife.
The fourth and last, the youngest of all, is the cousin of my goddaughter and nephew of a former mentor who inspired me in my college days. He has been a leader of the local youth sector for some time.
Except for the third who has just moved there some years back, all have been residents of our barangay since birth.
If you have a connection with or attachment to two (2) or more candidates, which weighs more? The relationship or the core reason of holding the elections?
Sometimes, if not many times, we are disappointed with the results of elections, as we think that the candidates who lost them would be the better ones to serve the constituents, so many people play the blame game -- blaming the voters for wrong choices of candidates.
According to Larry J. Sabato, 'Pendulum Swing' --
Every election is determined by the people who show up.
So it is important to tell people who are in the right age to register, to really show up and to objectively cast their votes. It is their right to do so. It is a privilege to be heard as even one count can make a person win over the other, if a tie-breaker is needed, assuming vote counts for the candidates are the same.
If I were in the Philippines, and I would be hired as a campaign manager for the barangay elections, my primary focus would be on creating a strategic and well-coordinated campaign to ensure the victory of our candidates for barangay captain and councilors.---------
Here are some campaign strategies:
Know your audience: Conduct thorough research on the demographics and concerns of the barangay residents. Understanding their needs will help tailor our messages and policies to resonate with them.
Have a door-to-door campaign: Utilize the one-month campaign period to visit as many households as possible. Engage in face-to-face interactions to establish a personal connection with voters and listen to their concerns.
Organize local community events and meetings: Organize community events and town hall meetings where our candidates can present their platforms and address local issues. This will showcase our commitment to transparency and open communication.
Have an impactful social media presence*: Leverage the power of social media to reach a wider audience. Regularly post updates, share community achievements, and engage with constituents online. This will help create a positive online reputation and boost visibility.
Organize a group of dedicated volunteers and have them engaged: Recruit and train dedicated volunteers to assist with various campaign activities, such as distributing campaign materials and organizing events. A strong volunteer base can amplify our campaign efforts.
Collaborate with local influencers: Partner with well-respected community leaders and influencers who can endorse our candidates and help spread the campaign message effectively.
Focus on youth empowerment: Engage the youth representative in our campaign team to connect with the younger voting population. Emphasize policies that address youth issues and empower them to be active participants in the community. (If the current youth representative is also aspiring for the post of barangay captain, find ways to reach a wider group, and listen to them.)
Highlight track records: Showcase the achievements and contributions of our candidates in their previous roles to build credibility and trust among voters.
Do targeted messaging: Tailor our campaign messages to specific segments of the electorate, addressing their unique concerns and needs. It is helpful to have some people gather data, build up a database with proper segmentation.
Monitor and Adapt: Continuously track the campaign's progress and gather feedback from constituents. Adjust strategies based on the evolving needs and sentiments of the community.
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We are living in the Digital Age so we can leverage the Internet of Things (IoT), to enhance our campaign's efficiency and effectiveness:
IoT data analytics: Utilize IoT devices to gather data on local issues and concerns, which can help in shaping our policies and campaign messages more accurately.
Digital campaign materials*: Develop interactive and visually appealing campaign materials for online distribution. These can include videos, infographics, and interactive maps to showcase our candidates' plans.
Utilize IoT-powered communication: Use IoT-enabled devices for seamless communication among campaign team members and volunteers. This will ensure quick coordination and real-time updates.
Do social media monitoring: Employ IoT-powered analytics tools to monitor social media conversations and public sentiment, allowing us to respond promptly to any concerns or misinformation.
Host virtual town halls: Host virtual town hall meetings through IoT-enabled platforms, reaching a broader audience while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Embrace IoT-driven volunteer management: Streamline volunteer coordination and tasks through IoT-based platforms, ensuring optimal use of resources and time.
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By employing a comprehensive approach, that is combining traditional campaign strategies with IoT technologies, we can create a dynamic and data-driven campaign that resonates with voters and maximizes our chances of victory in the barangay elections. The successful elections with the right people on the seats, will create a positive impact in the community.
Of course, I would only campaign for candidates who truly deserve to win in the coming local elections, regardless of personal relationships.
I will passionately monitor things related to this. I hope that voters will participate in the electoral process and make their voices heard.
I believe that all Filipinos who love their country of origin, specifically their barangays, can make a difference together -- despite distance and time gaps.
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*On creating an impactful social media presence and creating digital campaign materials -- I am a certified digital marketer who obtained a professional diploma from the Digital Marketing Institute in the Middle East, and a passionate content creator, so in this field I can help.
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