Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._ 323 __

Introduced by KABATAAN PARTY-LIST Representative Sarah Jane |. Elago,
ACT TEACHERS PARTY-LIST Representative France L. Castro,
BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST Representatives Carlos Isagani T. Zarate,
Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia C. Cullamat,
and GABRIELA WOMEN’S PARTY Representative Arlene D. Brosas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The role of the youth can never be underestimated or belittled. They possess
time, strength, and vigor to take on the role as vanguards of genuine national change
and development. Throughout the years, we have witnessed how hundreds and
thousands of students and youth have risen up to such responsibility, and even
exceeded their seniors’ expectations.

It is in this spirit that this Representation would like to honor the youth in an
annual celebration of the National Youth Day, every August 12 — the same day that
the International Youth Day is celebrated. 19 years ago, the United Nations General
Assembly endorsed the recommendation of the World Conference of Ministers
Responsible for Youth that August 12 be declared as the International Youth Day.

In atime when the youth are faced with challenges, such as skyrocketing
prices of basic goods and commodities, increasing tuition and other school fees, and
a national political crisis where human rights are easily disregarded and violence is
seen as an instrument to achieve peace, their resilience and ability to overcome and
to be involved in these social issues are admirable.

Truly, we are honored to hava a ‘woke’ generation — a generation that does
not let age dictate its role in society, a generation that chooses to fight back and to
assert their beliefs, a generation that welcomes principled debate.

Let the National Youth Day be a celebration of the role of the youth. Let the
National Youth Day be a celebration of the achievements of the youth, and a
reminder of what more they can achieve. The annual celebration aims for a
decentralized celebration of the internationally-recognized event in schools and to
allow the youth to create their own programs to highlight the diversity of skills and to
share their experiences, to enable further growth and individual and collective
development.


Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Rep. CARLOS ae T. ZARATE 1p. FERDINAND GAITE

BAYAN MUNA Party-List BAYAN MUNA Party-List

amet

Rep. EUFEMIA C. CULLAMAT 5
BAYAN MUNA Party-List GABRIELA Women’s Party



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 323

Introduced by KABATAAN PARTY-LIST Representative Sarah Jane I. Elago,
ACT TEACHERS PARTY-LIST Representative France L. Castro,
BAYAN MUNA PARTY-LIST Representatives Carlos Isagani T. Zarate,
Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia C. Cullamat,
and GABRIELA WOMEN’S PARTY Representative Arlene D. Brosas

AN ACT
DECLARING AUGUST 12 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL YOUTH DAY

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 “National Youth
Day Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the
youth in nation-building and shall undertake measures to inculcate in them patriotism
and nationalism. It also encourages their involvement in public and civic affairs.
Republic Act No. 8044, otherwise known as the “Youth in Nation-Building Act”,
recognizes the responsibility of the State to enable the youth to fulfill their vital role in
nation-building, thereby establishing a National Comprehensive and Coordinated
Program on Youth Development. Republic Act No. 10742, otherwise known as the
“Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015”, established the mechanisms to
ensure the meaningful participation of the youth in local governance and called for
the “Linggo ng Kabataan” on the week where the twelfth of August falls to coincide
with the International Youth Day.

SECTION 3. National Youth Day. - In observance of International Youth Day,
the twelfth day of August of every year is hereby declared as National Youth Day.

SECTION 4. Program of Activities. - To ensure the meaningful observance of
National Youth Day, the National Youth Commission (NYC), in coordination with the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the National
Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK),
shall prepare and implement an annual program of activities. The youth


organizations and youth-serving organizations shall likewise support the NYC in all
its efforts to promote and facilitate related activities in all public and private schools.

All schools, colleges, and universities are hereby enjoined to launch activities such
as leadership training, youth empowerment workshop, basic mass integration,
solidarity summit, among others, in celebration of the National Youth Day.
Furthermore, the respective administrations of schools, colleges, and universities
shall extend their full support to all activities to be conducted by their students.

All provincial and local youth development offices (LYDOs) and SKs are likewise
enjoined and shall also adopt this measure as it would play a big part in the holistic
development and enrichment of our youth especially in the communities.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The NYC, in
cooperation and close coordination with the DepEd, CHED, TESDA, NUSP and SK,
shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act within sixty (60) days
after its effectivity.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or parts thereof, other provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 7 Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,