SENATOR Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has urged the youth to make agrarian reform and agricultural issues “viral” on social media, saying this could spark change in a sector that has long suffered from oppression.

The senator emphasized that young people have the power to challenge the status quo through their digital influence.

“Use your voice—social media. Support causes that you believe in. Fight disinformation, kasi laganap pa rin ang disimpormasyon hanggang ngayon,” he said. “Kayong mga kabataan, you are the most social media-savvy. Kayo ang pinaka-digital natives, ika nga. Gamitin ninyo ang kapangyarihan ninyo.”

Pangilinan added that social media can be a powerful tool to reach policymakers, who are often influenced by public sentiment.

“At ang mga politiko, takot ’yan kapag may nagvi-viral. Kaya kung gagawin nating viral ang pagsuporta sa agrarian reform, makikinig ang mga ’yan. Never underestimate your power to influence,” he said, urging the youth to also demand accountability amid persistent corruption issues.

The senator spoke during an open forum themed “Uneven Fields: Unearthing the Root Causes of Economic Injustice,” which tackled the state of the country’s agricultural sector and the lack of government support and funding that have left farmers and fisherfolk among the poorest in the nation.

He also called on the youth to take part in nation-building and to stand against social, economic, and political injustices.

“In the end, if you want justice in the agriculture sector, we have to come together and realize that we all have roles to play. Pero ang hanay ng mga estudyante at kabataan, you play a special role in the unfolding of events in Philippine society,” Pangilinan said.

Calling the youth catalysts of change, he described how their involvement can spark a “socio-political upheaval.”

“Pag ang kabataan at estudyante ang tumaya, kumilos, nakibahagi, nanindigan—sumusunod na ang socio-political upheaval. Kayo ’yun,” he said. “Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to make a stand. Now is the time to say enough is enough. Now is the time to reclaim our governance and our politics in this country.”

“So, ask yourselves: In the end, history will judge all of us. Lahat tayo huhusgahan ng kasaysayan. Ang tanong: Noong panahon na kinakailangang tumaya at kumilos, ano ang ginagawa ninyo?”