RECEIVED

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives

Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
15 Regular Session
vi, 3 : TON UNIT
nouse Bio. 5 INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution acknowledges the importance of the youth in
developing a strong Filipino Nation. Article II Section 13 reads:

The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual,
and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and
nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.

Aside from the Constitution, youth participation is also enshrined in other
statutes. The 1991 Local Government Code provides for the youth's participation in
local development and the establishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan. The 1995 Youth
in Nation-Building Act provided a national comprehensive program on youth
development and the creation of the National Youth Commission. Furthermore, the
Medium-Term Youth Development Plan of the Philippines identified the youth's right to
participate in decision-making on policies involving them and their responsibility to
represent their sector in policy-making bodies. Indeed, the participation and
representation of the youth is of utmost importance in the Philippine bureaucracy.

This bill seeks to include the youth in the highest policy-making body of the
country by instituting the Youth Legislators Program. The proposed Youth Legislature is
tasked to propose bills and resolutions to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

To ensure that the youth’s voices are heard in the national legislative process,
the passage of this measure is earnestly urged.

\LFREDO D. VARGAS II


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
1st Regular Session

1579

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Congressman Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
INSTITUTING THE YOUTH LEGISLATORS PROGRAM

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Youth Legislators Program
Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote youth
participation in the legislative process by giving them an opportunity to express their
views on issues affecting them and on what laws may be enacted to address these.

SECTION 3. Youth Legislators Program. ~ Immediately following the assumption of
office of senators and district representatives, there shall be a body comprised of the youth
who shall convene regularly for a period to propose bills and resolutions to the House of
Representatives and the Senate. This body shall be called the Youth Legislature.

The Youth Legislature shall approve proposals for bills and resolutions in the same
manner the House of Representatives and the Senate adopt bills and resolutions. The
approved proposals shall be submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate who
may adopt the same.

SECTION 4. Youth Legislators. - There shall be one youth legislator for every
legislative district who shall report to the House of Representatives, and 24 youth
legislators who shall report to the Senate. They shall be selected from a pool of applicants
through written oral examinations to be conducted by the National Youth Commission
(NYC).

(A) Qualifications- A youth legislator must:

a. beat least 15 but not more than 24 years old;


b, be a resident of the legislative district he/she is representing. If reporting to
the House of Representatives;

c. bearesident of the Philippines, if reporting to the Senate;
d. not have previously been a youth legislator;

e. not be a relative within the fourth civil degree of an incumbent elected
official; and

f. have other qualifications set by the NYC.

(B) Period - The Youth Legislature shall be given two weeks to convene and approve
proposals for bills and resolutions.

(C) Obligations - A youth legislator shall:

a. propose bills and resolutions to be presented to the Youth Legislature for
approval, and participate in the deliberations of the body on the proposals;

b. observe sessions, public hearings, and other meetings of the House of
Representatives or the Senate, as the case may be; and

c. attend trainings, seminars, or forums organized by the NYC for purpose of
implementing this Act.

SECTION 5. Honorarium. - A youth legislator is entitled to receive a daily
honorarium for a period of two weeks equivalent to 75% of the minimum wage in Metro
Manila,

SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. - The NYC shall be the primary impelementing
and supervising agency for the implementation of this Act. It shall formulate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations immediately upon the approval of this Act.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of this program shall be
included in the annual appropriation of this NYC.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.


SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 6, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,