Reporter Jing Castañeda (right) with one of the participants in the BMPM election forum and workshop at the Bataan Peninsula State University in Balanga CityABS-CBN’s citizen journalism arm Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo (BMPM) continues to organize voters’ empowerment and citizen journalism workshops that teach citizens skills for mobilizing campaigns and encourage them to vote based on important national issues.

BMPM has come a long way from being the election-focused campaign Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo in 2007.BMPM, which has almost half a million Bayan Patrollers, reflects the growing influence of citizen journalism as a year-round vehicle for change and citizens’ strengthened capacity to expand the use of social media—from reportage to organizing platforms for causes and advocacies.

“It is impressive to see youth aware of the need to use social media and digital technology for those without access to it,” said Ging Reyes, head of ABSCBN News and Current Affairs.

BMPM head Inday Varona explained the significance of BMPM’s evolution to citizens who see it not only as a platform for exposing election-related problems but also as a tool to hold people in power accountable.

Varona also said that of the 24 exclusive Bayan Patroller reports aired on ABS-CBN’s newscasts, 13 led to the completion of long-delayed projects, sanctions imposed on erring government officials and the rescue of endangered animals and people.