19/08/2026
N PHOTOS | ISPSC CGAD and CHR-1 take the hills and mountains on Day 1 of the Caravan at ISPSC Cervantes Campus
The Caravan embarked on its first campus-to-campus leg on August 17, 2026, at the ISPSC Cervantes Campus. The activity gathered mandated and accredited student leaders of ISPSC Cervantes Campus for meaningful discussions on human rights, youth leadership, local governance, and the electoral process. Beyond strengthening their leadership capacities within the College, the activity equips student leaders with knowledge and values they can bring beyond the campus—as advocates, responsible citizens, and emerging community leaders who can help promote informed participation and human rights in their respective communities.
The Caravan is a youth empowerment initiative that seeks to prepare young people for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections by encouraging them to become responsible, informed, and rights-based voters. The campaign combines “Ako,” meaning me, and “batayan,” meaning standard or foundation—underscoring the important role of young people as rights-based agents of change and future nation-builders.
Serving as resource speakers were Ms. Celia M. Quedado, Information Officer II, CHR Region I, who discussed Human Rights 101; Atty. Mhelanie C. William, OIC, Promotion & Advocacy Division, CHR Region I, who discussed Qualities of a Youth Leader in a Human Rights Lens; and Atty. Rizza Mae D. Costales, Special Investigator I, CHR Region I, who discussed Understanding the Electoral Process.
Joining the activity virtually were Justice Monina Arevalo Zenarosa, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights, who delivered the Message of the Focal Commissioner on Youth Suffrage and Presentation of Project Description, and Hon. Joseph Francisco Ortega, Chairperson of the National Youth Commission, who delivered the Solidarity Message of the National Youth Commission.
The Caravan was made possible through the strong coordination of the ISPSC Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), spearheaded by Ms. Maribel C. Ibanez, CGAD Director; Dr. Lanie Tiu, Chief, Gender Mainstreaming; Ms. Glenda Parba, Chief, Human Rights & Peace Education; Mrs. Aileen R. Anga-Angan, ISPSC Cervantes GAD Coordinator; and Dr. Nora H. Soliven, ISPSC Main Campus GAD Coordinator, with the support of the ISPSC Cervantes Campus, led by Dr. Heidi Joy P. Bautista.
ISPSC’s support for the initiative is part of its continuing partnership with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), anchored on its role as a Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE). Through this partnership, ISPSC and CHR bring human rights education closer to the youth, empowering student leaders with the knowledge and skills to become informed, responsible, and rights-based citizens. Through collaboration with government agencies and youth-focused institutions, ISPSC continues to promote human rights, youth empowerment, civic participation, and community leadership.
The Caravan continues on the other ISPSC campuses.