Change is not merely a governmental endeavor. It does not end at the tip of a senator’s pen as they ascribe their signature to a new law. Rather, it is a monumental, collective effort—a sentiment that was echoed at Rappler’s 2024 Social Good Summit (SGS) last October 19 at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium.
In its ninth iteration, the summit was guided by the theme “Be the Change: How Storytelling and Tech Empower Changemakers.” Students, professionals, journalists, and government officials from various sectors took part in panel discussions, open forums, and breakout sessions that shed light on key issues, such as the upcoming 2025 Midterm Elections, the rampant expansion of artificial intelligence, and the environmental and education crises.
Securing harnesses, scaling up
Rappler Co-founder and Executive Editor Glenda Gloria opened the event with a reminder that calling for change is not a solitary battle but rather one achieved in rallied unison. “We are not alone in our troubles, and we are definitely not alone in seeking solutions for them,” she posited.
This synergic strive for development was underscored during the first panel, moderated by Rappler Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maria Ressa. According to Dr. Maria Mercedes Rodrigo of the Ateneo Laboratory for the Learning Sciences, while technology can lead to educational advancement, the real challenge lies in bringing these solutions to rural areas that lack access to urbanized tech hubs.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara spotlighted this drive for academic innovation when he presented his office’s data-driven strategies to expand internet accessibility and procure more technological resources.
However, mandated internet use in the curriculum comes with consequences. Save the Children Philippines CEO Atty. Alberto Muyot pointed out that unregulated use of social media can lead to psychosocial harm, brought about by cyberbullying, exploitation, and sexual abuse. Yet regulation alone cannot address this problem. From the outset, content creators must already separate obstructive media from those made with integrity.
The second panel, moderated by Rappler’s senior producer JC Gotinga, featured a diverse set of content creators that transform cyberspaces into learning platforms. Their commitment to generating value-driven content amid temptations of monetization showcases their dedication to being contemporary catalysts of communication. “[Our] conscience and our values should drive us when it comes to creating content,” pharmacist Arshie Larga shared in Filipino.
The talk dismantled the notion of influencers as mere entertainment figures. With TikTok and YouTube serving as this generation’s primary references, these creators are now pioneers of information. Registered psychometrician Lyqa Maravilla concludes the second panel with an encouraging statement for aspiring changemakers: “You don’t need to be scared; as long as you are anchored in your advocacy, that’s what matters.”
Sharp inclines ahead
Technology has also aggravated the plight of journalists. This was highlighted in the breakout session on information integrity during elections, moderated by Rappler Managing Editor Miriam Grace Go. TV5 news anchor Ruth Cabal divulged her experience with a deepfake of her delivering erroneous news last year. She recounted the tedious process to have Facebook remove the video, with her primary concern being the deepfake’s impact on her reputation. “When [they] target us with those deepfakes, [they] are also targeting our credibility as journalists and as a news organization,” she expressed in Filipino.
The increasing incidence of deepfakes in the country has dire implications for the nearing 2025 Midterm Elections. It could be weaponized to spread political propaganda, furthering attacks against candidates and regular citizens, a precedent that was set during the 2022 elections. In response, Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy enumerated the measures the agency has undertaken: streamlined reporting mechanisms, verified account systems, and increased partnerships with social media platforms. Their biggest challenge, however, is not with technology, but with legislation—there remains no social media regulation law in the Philippines.
Such a law toes the line of constitutionality, as raised by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia. While the Comelec can exercise control over candidates, private citizens are beyond their jurisdiction. The implementation of a social media regulation law is hampered by an outdated election code, as well as protests invoking the right to freedom of expression.
Movement Against Disinformation founding chairman Atty. Rico Domingo lamented that legislators lack the political will to take action as it ultimately benefits their campaign efforts. Frustration over corruption became the prevailing sentiment among participants of the session. Still, Garcia reminded participants to exercise what power they may have to educate their fellow citizens and to vote wisely.
“Eleksyon pa rin ang magandang simula ng lahat,” Garcia said. “Eleksyon din ang katapusan ng lahat.”
(The election is where it all starts, and where it will all end as well.)
Encouraging voters’ autonomy also means increasing accessibility at polling stations so that everyone can participate in the democratic process. In a breakout session led by Comelec, attendees tested the new automated voting machines for the 2025 Midterm Elections. These machines were developed for persons with disabilities who failed to vote in previous elections, including features such as touchscreen monitors and foolproof receptacles for the release of voter’s receipts.
Enhancing urban resilience
While elections are effective avenues for citizens to enact change, one must not disregard the government’s own responsibilities to bring these aspirations to life. As Filipinos become increasingly conscious of climate change and its effects, the demand for robust transportation infrastructure and accessible public spaces intensifies. This was the crux of the panel discussion on climate-centered urban planning, led by Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator Daffy Alejandro, University of the Philippines Resilience Institute and Project NOAH director Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Placemaking Pilipinas co-founder Elijah Go Tian, and Quezon City assistant administrator for operations Alberto Kimpo.
Kimpo pointed out that local government units (LGUs) continue to struggle with understanding the national targets for a climate-resilient city. Nevertheless, they are currently “looking for better solutions” while coordinating with LGUs regarding disaster response and planning.
Pia Ranada, head of Community at Rappler, led the final panel discussion with Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Isabela City Mayor Sitti Hataman, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte as the key speakers. Belmonte noted that for a city to be considered “liveable,” it must implement people-centric initiatives that focus on mental health, peace, and order.
Path to reform
Transformative change begins through our own initiatives and is cast through the stories we share. “The truth is what we will always fight for; these are the steps we must take in order to make the world we live in a better place,” Br. Bernie Oca FSC stated in Filipino during his closing remarks.
Though these challenges may seem insurmountable, the culmination of Rappler’s SGS sets forth a precedent. Innovation is now at the helm as we steer toward national development. Each citizen navigates this course with the responsibility and capacity to be changemakers. As Ressa imparted, “You have to look at the imperfections of the world, the dangers of the world that is. See what’s in your power to change and then change that.”
