Jinsei Castillo with senatorial candidate Liza Maza and first nominee Atty. Renee Co at Bamboo Organ Church. Jinsei Castillo, handout

MANILA — Jinsei Castillo, a youth leader vying for the Las Piñas 1st District councilor seat, rolled out her campaign Friday at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Joseph, a city landmark because it is home to the famous Bamboo Organ.

Among the youngest candidates in the National Capital Region and running under the Makabayan coalition, Castillo said youth welfare and development must be a government priority.

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"Hindi dapat isinasantabi ang boses ng kabataan dahil tayo ang magilas na new generation na kayang mag-transform ng progressive ideas into concrete action.  Ang pag-asa ng bayan ay ang kabataan, hindi ang mga political dynasty," she said in a release.

(The youth voice should not be sidelined because we are the new generation that will transform progressive ideas into concrete action. The country's hope is in the youth and not in political dynasties.

She said that many incumbent officials are from political dynasties, are senior politicians or are backed by business interests.

"Kung may youth representation man sa gobyerno, madalas mga young politicians yan na nadala ng political grooming at blind obedience sa nakakatanda sa kanilang pulitiko. Ayan ang tinututulan ko, hindi ako baby crocodile and I want to inspire fellow youth to fight for genuine youth representation," she added in an exchange with ABS-CBN News.

(Even when there is youth representation in government, this is usually by young politicians who have been influenced by political grooming and offer blind obedience to older politicians. That is what I am opposing. I am not a baby crocodile and I want to inspire fellow youth to fight for genuine youth representation)

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YOUTH ISSUES AT CENTER OF PLATFORM

"As the youngest candidate, youth issues talaga yung front and center platform ko. Gusto ko magkaroon ng P1,000 monthly student allowance sa Las Piñas dahil ito na lang yung lungsod sa buong [National Capital Region] na walang student allowance," she said.

(As the youngest candidate, I put youth issues front and center. I want to oush for a P1,000 monthly student allowance in Las Piñas. We are the only city in NCR without a student allowance) 

She said she also wants to lead in addressing calamities like flooding, by opposing reclamation projects in Manila Bay and pushing for effective and scientific disaster risk reduction and management.

"Coastal city ang Las Piñas so nasa sharp end siya ng climate crisis (Las Piñas is a coastal city and is at the sharp end of the climate crisis," she said.

Castillo said she also wants to help provide more labor desks to help Las Piñas residents find sustainable jobs and to protect their labor rights and welfare.

Makabayan senatorial candidate Liza Maza and Kabataan Party-list first nominee Renee Co were among Castillo's supporters on the first day for local electoral campaign.

Although she acknowledged the lack of resources and political machinery will make campaigning a challenge, Castillo said she would prioritize the grass-roots approach of meeting and talking to her potential constituents.