TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was approved by the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress. 
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, in 2020, 10.7 million individuals, or 25% 
of the 42.8 million household population aged 5-24, were classified as OSCY. 
In their Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS), OSCY refers to family members 6 to 
14 years old who are not attending formal school; and family members 15 to 24 years old who 
are currently out of school, not gainfully employed, and have not finished college or post-
secondary course. 
The most common reasons among OSCYs for not attending school were marriage or 
family matters (42.3%), high cost of education or financial concerns (20.2%), and lack of 
personal interest (19.7%). Nationwide, about 53 percent of OSCYs belong to families whose 
income fall at the bottom 30 percent based on their per capita income. 
While it can be seen that there are those who choose not to go to school, many are 
forced by their circumstances into not attending school. This is why there is a need to protect 
the rights of these youth who are very vulnerable.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 7, 2025
3:45 pm
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1 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT     
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF THE OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of the Out-of-School 
Youth.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article II, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the 
State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. 
Pursuant to the aforementioned mandate, the State recognizes the rights of the out-of-school 
youth (OSY) to social protection and to the development of their full potential as partners in 
nation-building.  
SEC. 3. Objectives. - The objectives of this Act are as follows: 
(a) To recognize, protect, and promote the rights of the OSYs;
(b) To empower and encourage the OSYs to contribute to nation-building;
(c) To give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of the OSYs by
providing learning and employment opportunities as well as the needed social
services and interventions; and
(d) To recognize the important role of the private sector in improving the welfare of
the OSY and to actively seek their partnership.
CHAPTER II 
DEFINITION OF TERMS 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. -  As used in this Act: 
(a) Alternative Learning System (ALS) refers to a parallel learning system in the
Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction and
equivalent pathways to basic education. It includes both the non-formal and
informal sources of knowledge and skills;
(b) Local Social Welfare and Development Officer (LSWDO) refers to the officer
designated as such under the Social Welfare and Development Offices in the
local government unit (LGU);
(c) Out-of-school youth refers to a member of the population aged 15 to 30 years
old who is currently out of school, not gainfully employed, and has not finished
secondary or college education;
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(d) Social protection refers to policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty 
and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of all OSY by 
promoting livelihood and employment opportunities, including its major 
components such as labor market interventions, social insurance, social 
welfare, and social safety nets; 
 
(e) Substantive equality refers to the fundamental aspect of human rights law that 
is concerned with equitable outcomes and equal opportunities for the 
disadvantaged and marginalized groups in society, including protection against 
discrimination, marginalization, unequal distribution of opportunities, and limited 
access to goods and services; 
 
(f) Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) refers to the education or 
training process designed at post-secondary and lower tertiary levels, officially 
recognized as non-degree programs aimed at preparing technicians, 
paraprofessionals and other categories of middle-level workers by providing 
them with a broad range of general education, theoretical, scientific and 
technological studies, and related job skills training; and 
 
(g)  TVET graduate refers to a student or trainee who has completed the 
requirements set for a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA)-registered TVET course or program. 
 
CHAPTER III 
DUTIES RELATED TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH 
 
SEC. 5. State as the Primary Duty-Bearer. -  The State shall, through the National Youth 
Commission (NYC), Commission on Human Rights, and other concerned youth-serving 
agencies, be guided by progressive developments on the aspect of human rights of the OSY 
under international law and shall endeavor to formulate policies, laws, and other regulatory 
measures to fulfill these duties. It shall institute programs that will carry out the objectives of 
this Act and promote:  
(a) The protection of the rights of the OSYs against discrimination of any kind by 
private corporations, entities, individuals, and from any institution, public or private; 
and 
 
(b) The promotion of substantive equality on the rights of the OSY in all aspects of 
growth and development. 
 
SEC. 6. Duties of the State Agencies and Instrumentalities. - The duties of the State as 
stated in Section 5 of this Act shall extend to all state agencies, offices, and instrumentalities 
at all levels of government, including government-owned and controlled corporations, subject 
to the Constitution and pertinent laws, policies, and administrative guidelines that define 
specific duties of concerned state agencies and entities. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
RIGHTS AND EMPOWERMENT 
 
SEC. 7. Human Rights of Out-of-School Youth. - An OSY shall enjoy, without 
discrimination, all rights provided for in the Constitution and those rights recognized under 
international instruments duly ratified by the Philippines. 
 


 
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SEC. 8. Protection from Violence. - The State shall ensure that all OSYs shall be protected 
from all forms of violence, physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking as 
provided for under existing laws. The Department of Justice, Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD), and other concerned agencies shall give priority to the defense 
and protection of the OSYs and help them in attaining justice and social equality. 
 
SEC. 9. Equal Treatment Before the Law. - The NYC and other youth-serving agencies shall 
take active steps to review and, when necessary, submit proposals to amend or repeal existing 
laws that are discriminatory to the OSYs, and submit legislative proposals, as far as 
practicable, at the start of every Congress. 
 
SEC. 10. Representation of Out-of-School Youth Issues and Concerns in Media, Film, 
and Other Platforms. -  The NYC and other concerned agencies shall formulate policies and 
programs for the advancement of the OSYs in collaboration with government and non-
government organization (NGO) media-related organizations. 
For this purpose, the State shall ensure the allocation of resources for the production, 
publication, dissemination, and airing of all forms of information materials on the rights of the 
OSYs and the various services and benefits provided to them under this Act. 
 
SEC. 11. Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Identity and Integrity. -The rights of 
Moro and indigenous OSYs to practice, promote, protect, and preserve their own culture, 
traditions, and institutions and to consider these rights in the formulation and implementation 
of national policies and programs shall be upheld. To this end, the National Commission on 
Muslim Filipinos and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples shall, in consultation 
with the sectors concerned, protect their rights, indigenous knowledge system and practices, 
traditional livelihood, and other cultural manifestations, recommend legislation and other 
appropriate measures to promote and to respect them: Provided, That these cultural systems 
and practices do not discriminate against other OSYs who do not belong to the Muslim or 
Indigenous Peoples.  
 
SEC.  12. Right to Decent Work. - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall, 
in coordination with TESDA, ensure decent work standards for OSYs who have graduated 
from TVET courses, including the following minimum guarantees: 
 
(a) Local job generation and employment, economic opportunities, and providing strict 
regulations against forced and involuntary displacement; 
 
(b) Protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare of migrant TVET graduates 
regardless of work status and protection against discrimination in wages, 
conditions of work, and employment opportunities in host countries; and 
 
(c) Opportunities for work shall be productive and fairly remunerative as family living 
wage, security of tenure in the workplace, and better prospects for personal 
development and social integration. 
 
CHAPTER V 
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT 
 
SEC. 13. Government Assistance. - The national government shall, through its agencies 
and instrumentalities, provide the following:   
 
(a) Education - The Department of Education (DepEd), TESDA, and the Commission 
on Higher Education (CHED) shall, in consultation with NGOs, institute a program 
that will ensure access of the OSYs to formal, informal, and non-formal learning 
opportunities; 


 
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(b) Health - The Department of Health (DOH) shall, in coordination with LGUs and 
NGOs, institute a national health program and provide an integrated health service 
for OSYs: Provided, That the DOH shall provide the OSYs and their families with 
sexual and reproductive health education and information, as well as family 
counseling to curb the number of dropout cases due to early marriage and 
pregnancy, marital conflict, and other family problems; 
 
(c) Social Services - The DSWD shall, in cooperation with the LGUs, NGOs, and other 
relevant stakeholders, develop and implement programs on social services for the 
OSYs, the components of which are:   
 
1. Social Enhancement Services that provide the OSYs with opportunities for 
socializing, organizing creative expression, and self-improvement; 
 
2. After Care Services that provide support for the OSYs who are discharged from 
the homes or institutions of the DSWD, and other private institutions duly 
accredited by the DSWD, especially those who have problems of reintegration 
with family and the community; and   
 
3. Social Case Management that includes a comprehensive, updated list and 
detailed profile of all known OSYs in the respective localities for the purpose of 
providing age-appropriate social service interventions. 
 
(d) Employment- The DOLE shall, in coordination with other government agencies 
such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and TESDA, assess, design, 
and implement training programs that will provide jobs, entrepreneurial skills and 
facilitation, agricultural training, and livelihood opportunities for the OSYs. 
 
SEC. 14. Social Protection. - The National Anti-Poverty Commission and concerned 
agencies shall institute for the OSYs policies and programs that seek to reduce poverty and 
vulnerability to risks by mandating their employers to provide mandatory life, accident, and 
health insurance coverage.  
 
CHAPTER VI 
EDUCATION 
 
SEC. 15. Technical Vocational Education. -  It shall be the duty of the State to provide 
technical or vocational education to the OSYs. The course shall be provided and managed by 
TESDA subject to its rules and regulations: Provided, That an officer of the TESDA shall be 
assigned as a TESDA adviser who shall monitor the progress and development of the OSYs 
in the chosen technical vocational course. 
 
SEC. 16. Alternative Learning System. -  An ALS of education shall be made available to 
OSYs. 
 
For OSYs who are under the care and custody of a home or an institution managed or 
accredited by the DSWD, the latter shall coordinate with the DepEd for the provision of an 
ALS within its premises. 
 
SEC. 17. Promotion to Formal Tertiary Education. - The LSWDO may recommend an OSY 
to be a recipient of a scholarship grant from the CHED under either Republic Act No. 10931, 
otherwise known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act” or Republic Act 
No. 10687, otherwise known as the “Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary 
Education (UniFAST)Act.” 


 
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An OSY who is a recipient of any CHED scholarship grant shall execute a 
scholarship bond, subject to the condition of rendering at least two (2) years of service to the 
government upon completion thereof.  
 
SEC. 18. Entrepreneurial Education. - The DTI shall, in coordination with TESDA and other 
relevant government agencies, conduct training programs to provide the OSYs with the 
knowledge, skills, and motivation to engage in entrepreneurial endeavors in a variety of 
settings. These programs shall include small business management, new approaches to 
innovation, developing creativity or the introduction of new products or services to the markets 
and providing aid to nascent entrepreneurial undertaking to grow and sustain the business of 
the OSYs. 
Both public and private higher education institutions shall set a minimum number of 
admissions of returning OSYs, scholarship grants, and other financial support to OSYs.  
 
SEC. 19. Education Cost and Support. - The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall provide 
formal, non-formal, informal, technical and vocational education services to the OSYs free of 
charge. It shall likewise provide materials, instruments, and tools needed to carry out and 
complete said programs.  
 
CHAPTER VII 
ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES 
 
SEC. 20. Especially Difficult Circumstances. – OSYs who are in especially difficult 
circumstances such as those with disabilities, victims of sexual and physical abuse, illegal 
recruitment, prostitution, trafficking, armed conflict, OSYs in conflict with the law, and other 
difficult circumstances such as pandemic and other public health emergencies, which have 
caused functional incapacity in society, shall be provided with services and interventions as 
necessary, such as: 
(a) 
Temporary and protective custody; 
(b) 
Medical, dental, and physical therapy services; 
(c) 
Mental health care; 
(d) 
Psychological evaluation; 
(e) 
Counseling; 
(f) 
Psychiatric evaluation; 
(g) 
Legal services; 
(h) 
Productivity capability building; 
(i) 
Livelihood assistance; 
(j) 
Financial assistance; 
(k) 
Life skills training; and 
(l) 
Health education and information. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 
 
SEC. 21. Role of the Advisory Council. - The Advisory Council created under Section 14 of 
Republic Act No. 8044, otherwise known as the “Youth in Nation-Building Act” shall, in addition 
to its respective mandates, implement the provisions of this Act which shall include the 
following duties and functions:  
 
(a) Formulate a National Comprehensive Multi-Stakeholder Plan of Action for the 
OSYs which shall include back-to-school transitional support, career pathing, 
counseling, mental and reproductive health education and services, skills training 
and livelihood assistance; 
 


 
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(b) Coordinate, monitor, and ensure that the relevant agencies of the government 
have appropriate yearly work programs for the OSYs in accordance with the 
objectives of this Act;  
 
(c) Cause the dissemination of information and engender national public awareness 
of the plight of the OSYs in the country through social media, government media 
and broadcasting facilities, and other modern channels of communication;  
 
(d) Review and ascertain existing policies that are discriminatory to the  OSYs as a 
subsector and recommend to Congress remedial legislative measures and 
interventions to eradicate all forms of discrimination to the  OSYs; and 
 
(e) Furnish the NYC on a yearly basis a national situationer on OSYs, including the 
available programs, services, and interventions available for them. 
 
SEC. 22. Roles and Responsibilities of Concerned Agencies. - The following agencies 
shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:  
  
(a) The NYC shall:   
 
1. Establish and maintain an updated database of OSYs at the national and local 
levels; 
 
2. Assess the needs of the OSYs and recommend to concerned agencies the 
necessary interventions to address them; 
 
3. Capacitate the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), Task Force on Youth 
Development, and Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) to implement the 
provisions of this Act at the local level; and 
 
4. Coordinate with concerned government agencies, private or NGOs, the 
necessary programs and projects designed to promote the general welfare, 
development, and empowerment of the OSYs as part of the multi-stakeholder 
plan of action for the OSYs. 
 
(b) The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall: 
 
1. Identify learning opportunities and establish programs for the OSYs such as 
returning to formal schooling, enrolling in the ALS, pursuing TVET for those 
who are not fully equipped to return to in-school education; 
 
2. Provide materials, instruments, and tools needed by the OSYs; and 
 
3. Monitor the progress of the OSYs.   
 
(c) The LSWDO shall:  
 
1. Conduct social case management and profiling of the OSYs in every city and 
municipality for the provision of age-appropriate social service interventions; 
 
2. Draw up a list of available and necessary services which can be provided for 
the OSYs;   
 


 
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3. Institutionalize the implementation of LGU-based psycho-social services for 
OSYs such as the Unlad Kabataan and Pag-asa Youth Association programs;   
 
4. Maintain and regularly update on an annual basis the list of OSYs and submit 
the list to the Office of the Secretary of the DSWD, the NYC, and the Philippine 
Statistics Authority;   
 
5. Issue nationally uniform individual identification cards free of charge, which 
shall be valid anywhere in the country; 
 
6. Serve as a focal person on the dissemination of general information and 
feedback in regard to the needs of the OSYs; 
 
7. Report to the Mayor, any individual, establishment, business entity, institution, 
or agency found violating any provision of this Act; 
 
8. Monitor, supervise, and enforce the implementation of information 
dissemination through social media, government media, and broadcasting 
facilities of the plight of the country’s OSYs; and  
 
9. Coordinate with the Advisory Council to ensure compliance with the provisions 
of this Act. 
 
(d) 
The SK and LYDC shall:  
 
1. Initiate and implement, in coordination with concerned government agencies, 
private or NGOs, programs and projects designed to promote the general 
welfare, development, and empowerment of the OSYs; 
 
2. Promulgate resolutions, in consultation with the Katipunan ng Kabataan, 
necessary to carry out the objectives for the OSYs in the barangay;  
 
3. Assist in the mapping out of the OSYs in every barangay;  
 
4. Conduct programs and activities for the OSYs which are in line with the 
Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan and the applicable 
provisions of this Act; 
 
5. Partner with other youth-serving agencies and organizations in planning and 
executing projects and programs of specific advocacies for the OSYs such as 
health and anti-drug abuse, including reproductive health, disaster risk 
reduction and resiliency, employment and livelihood, gender sensitivity, and 
sports development; and  
 
6. The Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga SK shall submit an annual situationer 
report on the OSYs of their respective provinces to the NYC. 
 
(e)  The LGUs shall:   
 
1. Ensure the database creation and mapping out of OSYs at the municipal, city, 
and barangay levels;  
 
2. Mobilize the SK and the LYDCs to assist in the delivery of the necessary 
services and interventions for the OSYs under their respective jurisdictions; 


 
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3. Provide programs for the OSYs, including back-to-school transition, enrolment 
in the ALS or TVET, provision of counseling, and mental and reproductive 
health services in the barangay, municipal, and city levels; and  
 
4. Set targets on the number of OSYs to be back in school, enrolled in ALS or 
TVET, and availed of the social protection programs: 
 
Provided, That the LGUs shall, through the Community Training and Employment 
Coordinators or duly designated LGU personnel, monitor the progress and 
development of the OSYs in the chosen technical vocational course by requiring the 
technical vocational institutions to submit, among others, regular enrollment and 
completion reports of the programs being implemented. 
 
(f) The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Philippine Council for      Agriculture 
and Fisheries shall, in coordination with LGUs and DA, ensure the inclusion of the 
OSYs through their organizations to be represented in the agriculture and fishery 
councils from the national down to the regional and local levels to ensure full 
engagement of OSYs in agricultural development.  
 
SEC. 23. Role of Non-Government Organizations. - NGOs or private volunteer 
organizations dedicated to promoting, enhancing, and supporting the welfare of OSYs are 
hereby encouraged to become government partners in implementing programs and projects 
for the OSYs. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 24. Punishable Acts and Penalties. - The following acts shall be deemed violations of 
this Act with the following corresponding penalties: (1) Discrimination against OSYs by private 
corporations, entities, and individuals; (2) Discrimination in wages, condition of work, and 
employment opportunities; and (3) Non-compliance with the mandatory coverage by 
employers of health, accident, and life insurance.  
 
(a) For the first violation, imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more 
than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) 
but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00);  
 
(b) For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but 
not more than six (6) years and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand 
pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos 
(P200,000.00);  
 
(c) For any person who avails of any of the benefits and privileges under this Act 
but who is not qualified to avail of the same, imprisonment of not less than six 
(6) months and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but 
not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00); and 
 
(d) If the offender is a corporation, organization, or any similar entity, the officials 
thereof directly involved in the violation or abuse shall be held liable.  
 
If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, the person shall be deported 
immediately upon service of sentence without further proceedings.  
 


 
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Upon filing of the appropriate complaint or information, the proper authorities 
shall, in coordination with the concerned LGU, cause the cancellation or revocation of 
the business permit, permit to operate, franchise, and other similar privileges granted 
to any business, entity, or person that fails to abide by or violates the provisions of this 
Act.  
 
SEC. 25. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the departments and agencies 
concerned. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act.  
The LGU concerned may set aside funds from any local revenue an amount deemed 
appropriate for the implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NYC, the members of the Advisory 
Council created under Republic Act No. 8044, TESDA, and CHED shall, not later than thirty 
(30) days upon the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for 
the effective implementation of this Act: Provided, That failure to promulgate the rules and 
regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity. 
 
SEC. 27. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 28. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules, and 
regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, 
modified or repealed accordingly. 
 
SEC. 29. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,