Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
H6usEBiLLNo.     9256
Introduced  by:  Hon.  Keith  Micah  "Atty.  Mike"  D.L.  Tan
AN ACT
GIVING  MEANING  TO  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  GUARANTEE  ON  THE  PROMOTloN  AND
PROTECTION  OF  THE  PHYSICAL,   MORAL,  SPIRITUAL,   INTELLECTUAL,  AND  SOCIAL
WELL-BEING  OF THE  FILIPINO YOUTH,  INCULCATING  IN  THE YOUTH  PATRIOTISM  AND
NATIONALISM,  ENCOURAGING  THEIR  INVOLVEMENT  IN  PUBLIC  AND  CIVIC  AFFAIRS,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article  11,  Section   13  of  the  Constitution  provides  that:  "The  State  recognizes  the  vita!
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  civil  affairs.
The   potential   of  the  youth  to   make   lasting   contributions  to   national   development  is
unparalleled.  Yet,  they  are  currently facing  a  myriad  of issues that  need  to  be  addressed  such
as poverty,  lack of education,  drug or substance abuse,  vice,  crime and  unemployment,  among
others.
The  purpose  of this  bill  is  to  empower the  Filipino  youth  by  enabling  the  Constitution's
policy  of  promoting  and  protecting  their  overall  well-being;  inculcating  the  values  of  patriotism
and  nationalism;  and  opening avenues for their active participation  in  public affairs.
The bill  provides an array of programs and services that were crafted consistent with the
goals of the MATATAG  Curriculum  of the  Department of Education,  which stands for "Make the
curriculum   relevant   to   produce  job-ready,   Active   and   responsible   citizens;   TAke   steps   to
accelerate  the  delivery  of  basic  education  services  and  provision  facilities;  TAke  good  care  of
learners    by    promoting    learner   well-being,    inclusiveness    learning,    and    positive    learning
environment; and, Give support for teachers to teach better."
lt aims to  inspire the youth to  live  up to their true  potential  and  contribute  meaningfully to
nation  building  thereby fulfilling  Rizal's  aspirations for the  youth  because  indeed  -  "The  youth  is
the hope of the fatherland."
ln view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Keith Micah "Atty.  Mike"  D.L. Tan
4th  District,  Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
ri`busE BiLL NO.   9256
Introduced  by:  Hon.  Keith  Micah  "Atty.  Mike"  D.L.  Tan
AN ACT
GIVING  MEANING  TO  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  GUARANTEE  ON  THE  PROMOTION  AND
PROTECTION  OF  THE  PHYSICAL,   MORAL,  SPIRITUAL,   INTELLECTUAL,  AND  SOCIAL
WELL-BEING  OF THE  FILIPINO YOUTH,  INCULCATING  IN  THE YOUTH  PATRIOTISM  AND
NATIONALISM,  ENCOURAGING  THEIR  INVOLVEMENT  IN  PUBLIC  AND  CIVIC  AFFAIRS,
AND APPROPRIATING  FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it enacted  by the  Senate  and the  House  of Representatives of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
SECTION   1.   Short  Tf-f/e.   -This  Act  shall   be  known  as  the  "Mafafag  af  /nspi+ac/ong
Kabataan Empowerment Program Act."
SEC.  2.  Dec/araft-on  of Po/i.ct.es.  -Article  11,  Section  13  of the  Constitution  provides that
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.
Pursuant  to  the  aforementioned  mandate,  it  is  incumbent  upon  the  State  to  effectuate
policies  and  programs that shall  enable the  youth to  effectively fulfill  their role  in  nation-building
and  facilitate  the  instilling  of  patriotism  and  personal  discipline,  fostering  respect  for  humanity
and   service   to   the   nation,   developing   moral   character   and   ethical   values,   and   promoting
responsible citizenship and  leadership skills.
SEC.  3.   Sfuc/y  on  the  Contemporary  Ft./;.p/.no  youth.  -  ln  addition  to  Section  3  (b)  of
Republic Act  No.  8044,  otherwise  known as the "Youth  in  Nation-Building Act",  which  mandates
a   national  study  on  the  "Situation  of  Youth   in  the   Philippines"   and   identifies   priority  needs,
prevailing  attitudes  and  values  of youth,  the  existing  services,  and  gaps  in  services  delivery  of
the  basic  needs  of youth;  and  in  recognition  of the  urgent  and  critical  need  to  understand  and
address  contemporary  issues  and  concerns  that  involve  the  Filipino  youth,  the  National  Youth
Commission   (NYC),   in  coordination  with  concerned   national  agencies,   academic  institutions,
and stakeholders,  is hereby mandated to come up with  psychographics of the Filipino youth and
undertake  studies  using  disaggregated  data  about  the  youth  to  promote  data-driven  program
conceptualization,  implementation,  monitoring  and  evaluation  in  order to  investigate  and  make
findings and recommendations with respect to:
(1) the situation  of modern  youth  compared to  prior generations,  with  particular attention
to family,  neighborhood,  schools,  scholastic attainment, work,  and community involvement;
(2) the  impact of popular culture on the youth  particularly  on values,  attitudes,  behavior,
and lifestyle trends,  including the positive and  negative effects on them;
(3)  the  recommendations for  parents,  families,  schools,  communities,  national,  regional,
and    local    government    agencies    (GAs),     local    government    units    (LGUs),    civil    society
organizations  (CSOs),   local  youth  development  offices  (LYDOs),  and  youth  groups  (YGs)  in
building positive developmental experiences among the youth.
The  NYC  may secure  directly from  any department or agency  information  necessary to
enable  it  to  carry  out  this  Act.  Upon  request  of the  Chairperson  of the  NYC,  the  head  of that
department or agency shall cooperate with the NYC in  providing that information.


The  NYC  shall  transmit  an  interim  report  to  the  President  and  the  Congress  of  the
Philippines  not  later than  one  hundred  eighty  (180)  days  after the  effectivity  of this  Act  and  a
final  report  not  later than  one  (1)  year.  The final  report shall  contain  a detailed  statement of the
findings and conclusions of the NYC together with  its recommendations for legislation.
SEC. 4.  Posting and  Display of National  Symbols and  Figures. -To promche a sense Of
national    identity   among   the   youth,    all    public   institutions,    including    schools,    government
agencies,   and   local   government   units,   shall   be   required   to   display   in   conspicuous   and
appropriate   places   national   symbols   and  figures   such   as  the   Philippine  flag   and   emblem,
national   anthem,    pictures   of   national   heroes,   and   relevant   excerpts   from   the   Philippine
Constitution within  six  (6)  months  after the  effectjvjty  of this Act  based  on  the  guidelines  of the
National  Historical  Commission  of the  Philippines  (NHCP),  in  coordination  with  the  Department
of  Education  (DepEd),  Commission  on  Higher  Education  (CHED),  and  other  relevant  national
agencies.
All  government websites  shall  be  required  to  post  information  and  multimedia  materials
related to the national symbols and figures stipulated  herein.
Failure   to   comply   with   the   posting   requirements   shall   be   subject  to   administrative
sanctions,  including fines and  penalties,  as provided  by law.
SEC.  5.  Formulation  and  Integration  of Curriculum  on  Youth  Studies.  -The  CHED, .in
consultation  with  the  educational  institutions,   NYC,   and   non-government  organizations,   shall
formulate  a  curriculum  on  youth  studies,  which  shall  be  interdisciplinary  dedicated  to the  study
of  youth   development,   history,   culture,   and   psychology.   The   CHED   shall   identify   a   state
university  or college  in  each  region  of the  country where youth  studies shall  be  integrated  in  its
undergraduate and graduate studies.
SEC.  6.  Establishment  of the  Youth  Museum  of the  Philippines.  -ln recogndion Of the
historic  contributions  of  the  youth  to  nation-building,  the  Youth  Museum  of  the  Philippines  is
hereby created and established.
The  organization,  operation,  and  administration  of the  Museum  shall  follow the  general
and standard structures,  management,  and operations established,  mandated,  and practiced by
the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) and other appropriate agencies.
SEC.  7.  Es fab/i.shmenf of /was-Bt.syo Kabafaan Program,  -The Department of Education
(DepEd),   in   coordination   with   the   Department   of  Health   (DOH),   the   Department   of  Social
Welfare and  Development (DSWD),  and the  Dangerous  Drugs  Board  (DDB),  shall  establish the
lwas-Bisyo Kabataan Program,  hereinafter referred to as the Program.
It  shall  serve  as  a  comprehensive  program  to  prevent  students  in  all  public  and  private
primary  and  secondary  schools  from  using  tobacco,  vaporized  nicotine  and  non-nicotine,  and
novel tobacco products, alcohol products,  and dangerous drugs.
The  Program  shall  also  include  intervention,  referral for evaluation,  referral for treatment
and continuity of care and such other mechanisms that the DepEd may consider necessary.
SEC.  8.   Comprehensive  Guidance  and  Counseling  Program.  -  Notw.lthstand.lng  tT\e
provisions   of   Republic   Act   No.11036,   otherwise   known   as   the   "Mental   Health   Act",   the
Department  of  Education  (DepEd),  in  consultation  with  concerned  government  agencies  and
private   organizations,    shall    institutionalize   the   Comprehensive   Guidance   and   Counseling
Program for all  K to  12 students.
The   Program,   which   shall   be   comprehensive   in   scope,   preventive   and   remedial   in
design,  developmental  in  nature,  and  an  integral  component  of the  school's  academic mission,
shall  be  child-friendly  and  gender-sensitive.  Such  program  shall  be  regularly  updated  and,  at  a
minimum,  shall  include the following components:
(a)  Provision  of suitable,  functional,  proactive,  and  confidential  guidance and  counseling
services to students and other stakeholders, which shall be standards-based and data driven;


(b)  Enhancement  of  the  appropriate  school  learning  environment  to  improve  students'
academic development, career development, and personal-social development;
(c)  Establishment  of  collaborative  strategies  for  specifically  identified  populations  in  the
school  community;
(d)  Identification of students'  needs and problems;
(e)  Conduct  of  the  routine  interviews  and  consultation  with  parents,  teachers,  school
personnel and other stakeholders;
(f)  Conduct  of  periodic  psychological  testing,  learning  and  study  orientation,   research
and  enrichment activities;
(g)  Formulation  of guidance  policies;
(h)  Development of data-driven results and objectives;
(i)  Referrals to other support groups and services;  and
0) Active engagement of family,  community and other stakeholders
SEC.  9.  Recruitment,   Hiring,  and  Training  of  Guidance  Counselors.  -  Sub.Jest to  the
guidelines  set  by  the  Civil   Service  Commission   (CSC)   and  the   Department  of  Budget  and
Management  (DBM)  and  pursuant to the  objectives  of this Act,  the  Secretary  of Education  shall
initiate   the   immediate   recruitment,   hiring,   and   training   of  school   guidance   counselors.   The
appropriate  number of guidance  counselors  shall  be  assigned  for each  public  elementary  and
secondary  school  to  progressively  meet the  recommended  ratio  of one guidance  counselor for
every 500 students within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act.
SEC.10.  Es fab/t.shmenf of Ivaff-ona/  youth  Cenfers.  -The  NYC,  in  consultation with the
Department  of  Labor  and  Employment,   DepEd,  DSWD,  and  DOH,  shall  establish  a  National
Youth  Center  in  all  the  regions  that  shall  serve  as  institutions  providing  technical,  educational
and   social   support  to  the   country's  youth   in   order  for  them  to  fully  develop  their  physical,
emotional  and social  skills  in  addition to their training  inside the classroom  and  in the family,
The Center shall  have the following functions:
(a)  Implement programs for the  development of the  physical,  mental  and  social  skills of
the youth  in addition to those being offered by educational and other institutions;
(b)  Implement  programs for the  interaction  of other youth  centers from  other regions  in
order to develop the youth and  prepare them for civic duty;
(c)    Institute other programs that may be determined by the Executive Board.
A   National   Youth   Center  Secretariat   shall   be  created   to   assist   in   the   efficient   and
effective operation of the Center.
SEC.  11.  Youth Leg/.s/afors Program.  -The Senate of the  Philippines and the  House  of
Representatives    shall    each    formulate    a    Youth    Legislators    Program    to    promote    youth
participation  in  the  legislative  process  and  the  opportunity  to  express  their  views  on  issues
affecting them.
SEC.   12.   Young  Afh/ekes  Ass;.sfance  Fund.  -A  fund  shall  be  created  to  strengthen
grassroots sports programs which shall be administered by the Philippines Sports Commission.
The fund shall:
(a) Assist youth  athletes who cannot afford  or may otherwise  benefit from joining  a sport
or recreation club;


(b) Support local sports and  recreation organizations with funding for projects that create
opportunities for more young athletes to become members;
(c)  Improve sports facilities to assist local sports and  recreation organizations with facility
development  so  that  the  youth  can  be  inspired  to  become  involved  in  sports  or  recreation
activity of their choice.
SEC.13.  Tax Exempft.on.  -The  provision  of any  law to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  all
donations,  grants,  endowments or contributions to youth and sports development programs and
activities    of    public    educational    institutions,    local    government    units    (LGUs),    and    other
government  agencies  in  charge  of  youth  and  sports  development,   as  well  as  government-
sanctioned  and  -funded  sports  competitions  at  the  national  and  international  levels,  shall  be
exempt from  tax  and  shall  be  deductible  from  the  taxable  income  of the  donor:  Provided,  That
such    donations,    grants,    endowments,    or   contributions    are    used    actually,    directly,    and
exclusively  for youth  and  sports  development  and  government-sanctioned  and  -funded  sports
competitions.
Any  exemptions  enjoyed  by the  donor  under  any  existing  law shall  not  be  impacted  by
an  action  performed  by  the  same  donor to  effect  a  donation  to  public  educational  institutions,
LGUs and other government agencies in charge of youth and sports development.
For purposes  of this Act,  the  equivalent monetary value  of properties donated,  granted,
endowed,  or contributed  shall  be the  acquisition  cost of the  property  or the  certified  book value
thereof.  Such  valuation  shall  take  into  consideration  the  depreciated  value  of the  property  in
case the same has been previously used by the donor.
SEC.  14  lmplementing  Rules  and  Regulations.  -W.ith.in  one hur\clred  e.ighty  (180)  days
from   the   effectivity   of  this   Act,   the   NYC,   CHED,   DepEd,   and   in   coordination   with   other
concerned   agencies   and   stakeholders,   shall   jointly   formulate   the   implementing   rules   and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC.15.  Approprr.aft.or7s.  -The  amount  necessary to  carry out the  provisions  of this Act
shall  be  included  in  the  General Appropriations Act of the year following  its  enactment  into  law
and thereafter.
SEC.   16.   Separab/.//'fy  C/ause.   -Any  portion  or  provision  of  this  Act  that  is  declared
unconstitutional  or  invalid  shall   not  have  the  effect  of  nullifying  other  portions  or  provisions
hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
SEC.17.  Rapea/+.ng C/ause.  -All  laws,  ordinances,  rules,  regulations,  other issuances or
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act,  are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC.18.  Effect;.v/.fy.  -This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its  publication  in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,