TACLOBAN CITY- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here in the region conducted a preliminary meeting on a debate on federalism held at its training center, on Tuesday (February 6).
The DILG has been tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to lead the information and education campaign on federalism.
In response, the regional office, under Director Maribel Sacendoncillo, crafted its work to promote awareness and discussion on federalism as a mode of government.
The debate, with college students participating, will seek to promote a culture of discussion on federalism and relevant issues among the various audiences tuning in.
The 15 match debate will include 16 collegiate teams from all over the region competing in a single elimination match, shielding survivors through quarterfinals, semi-finals, until the grand finals to crown the regional champion.
The target audiences in the series of a debate are young people from 18-35 years old.
The debate will be composed of at least 16 teams competing in the preliminaries with four teams from Tacloban-Palo where most of the biggest colleges and universities are located such as the Leyte Normal University (LNU); Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU); University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban Campus (UPVTC), and St. Paul’s School for Professional Studies (SPSPS).
One team will be coming from Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City; Naval State University (NSU); Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) in Maasin City; Samar State University (SSU) in Catbalogan City; Northwest Samar State University (NSSU) in Calbayog City and University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman, Northern Samar.
Winners at the preliminaries, quarterfinals, and semi-finals will be given medals, cash prizes, and certificates while the grand winners will receive a trophy for their school as well as cash prizes and medals for team members.
DILG provincial offices are directed to coordinate with universities and colleges, an influential radio station including the IBP chapter in their areas to implement the contest. (JESSICA A. OLEVO LNU Student Intern)