H CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
1 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXP LAN AT0 RY 
The Philippines, being an archipelago, has developed a wide variation of what 
we call “FilipinosJJ. Influence by distinct environments, different political and cultural 
heritage, and disparity in economic conditions, the Filipino is usually a subjective 
representative of the limited space of his island of origin or locality. 
As result, the Filipino is oftentimes quick to commit the error of judging others 
and results to misunderstanding by his brothers and sisters from other islands and/or 
regions. This attitude has seemingly divided the Filipinos as a people. Parochialism still 
pervades in our culture and values, not because it is necessary the Filipinos is yet to 
discover what unity stands for. 
Furthermore, the Filipino’s lack of appreciation for his own history and culture has 
made him .“a stranger in his own country,” alienated from the nation’s rich cultural 
heritage. 
This bill seeks to promote a “Balik-Aral Program” in the country with the end in 
view of educating the Filipino youth to discover his nation’s history and culture. The 
proposed Program will hopefully replicate the success of other youth exchange 
programs in other countries where national cohesion, mutual respect, and voluntary 
community service are the noble goals. 
It is also hoped that, with this kind of program, domestic tourism will be 
encouraged and promoted in the country. 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
1 
S. B. No. f 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
THEREBY PROMOTING DOMESTIC TOURISM IN THE COUNTRY 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
ESTABLISHING A BALIK-ARAL PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL YOUTH LEADERS 
Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
Tifle. - This Act shall be known as the “Balik-Aral Program of 
2004”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. - 
a) The state shall nurture unity, friendship and brotherhood among the Filipino 
youth being indispensable to national renewal, unity and peace. 
b) The State shall inculcate in the Filipino youth patriotism and nationalism, and 
encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. 
c) The State shall give priority to the youth’s advancement in education, arts, 
culture and environment causes. It shall harness the youth’s idealism in the 
attainment of a progressive nation and in the preservation of its democratic 
principles. 
d) The State shall encourage domestic tourism as a vehicle to nation-building 
and economic development. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 


Sangguniang Kabataan, at all levels, public schoolsf state colleges and 
universities, and all other youth organizations registered with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (SEC). 
d) Consult with the National Youth Commisson in integrating program content in 
the over-all design of the Balik aral program, replacing the success of other 
youth exchange programs in other countries. 
e) Designate program implementors on specific tasks, and monitor the progress 
of all planned and on-going- projects andfor activities within the scope of the 
Balik Aral Program. 
f) 
Organize the composition of the National Organization Committee (NOC) 
which includes all participating government agencies and instrumentality’s, 
local government units, voluntary youth organizations and participating units. 
g) Provide the necessary and appropriate funding support services to the 
National Organizing Committee (NOC) tasked to directly implement the said 
Program. 
h) Develop and implement specific policies encouraging the participation in the 
program of the private sector, non-government organizations, community- 
based youth groups and reputable international youth organization. 
i) Propose and recommend incentives necessary and appropriate to 
institutions, organizations, and other participating units in the activities and 
projects in line with the Balik Aral Program; and 
j) 
Perform such other functions necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Program Concept. - The Balik-Aral Porgram shall consist of, but 
not limited to the following: 
a) Activities on Board the Ship. - Introduction of each region, discussion, club 
activities, Solid Group activities and presentation, sports and other 
recreational activities, studies for a safe voyage and other activities, as 
approved by COC. 


b) Activitie 
uniei palitylCitylProvineel 
ion Visited. - Courtesy calls 
and receptions, homestays, visit to various institutions, lectures, participation 
on volunteer and/or community work, area tour andlor eco-tourism, and other 
relevant activities, as approved by the NOC. 
c) Working Language. - Filipino is the working language during the course of 
the program, however, English can be used as a secondary medium of 
com m u n i ca t i o n . 
d) Ship. - The National Organizing Committee (NOC) shall charter a reputable 
shipping liner for the program proper. 
e) Organization On Board Ship. - There be an Administration and 
Administrative Staff (AAS) consisting of an official from DOT, NYC, three (3) 
from NOC, five any participating government agency and/or department, and 
two (2) from the participating youth organization at the national level. It shall 
manage the conduct of the day affairs on board the Ship. 
a) Formulate criteria in the selection of four (4) regional youth participants, which 
consists of two (2) males and two (2) females, and one (I) 
RL for the regional 
delegation. 
b) Determine and approve the schedule and route of the Program. 
c) Designate in rotation one (I) 
host city or municipalities in Metro-Manila 
representing 
the 
National 
Capital 
Region 
and 
one 
(I) 
municipaIity/province/city/region among the three (3) major island: Luzon, 
Visayas, and Mindanao as the places to visit. 
d) Coordinate 
the 
activities 
and 
schedule 
with 
the 
host 
municipality/city/province/region for proper implementation. 
e) Provide the necessary support services and assistance to the needs of the 
host mu n ici pa I i t y/city/p rovince/reg ion. 


Provide support for the requirements of the participating youth and national 
leader. 
Approve 
proposals 
and 
recommendations 
made 
by 
the 
host 
municipality/city/province/region, 
participating 
youth 
organizations, 
participating units, and other relevant matters, which concerns the Program. 
Create and organize a national and/or regional screening committee (NSC 
and/or RSC) that will select and recommend the finalists who shall be eligible 
for the Program. The NSC shall consist of the following, namely: an official 
representative from DO,T, an official from the National Youth Commission, an 
official from the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, an official from 
a SEC-registered national youth organization and one from the private sector. 
The 'RSC shall be basically the same composition as the NSC except that the 
private sector shall be represented by a locally-based youth organization. 
Organize a National Secretariat (MS) to provide logistical support, secretarial 
services, and other relevant support to the NOC. 
SECTION 7. Composition. - The NOC shall be composed of the following, 
namely: 
a) One (1) Chairperson, heated by the Secretary of the Department of Tourism, 
b) Two (2) Vice-Chairpersons, headed by the Chairperson of the National Youth 
Commission and one from the private sector, 
c) One (I) 
Member, headed by the participating national youth organization, 
and, 
d) One (I) 
Member from each of the three (3) participating major island groups 
SECTION 8. Responsibilities of ParSicipa 
Yolath Organizations. - 
a) 
Provide 
the 
back-up 
support 
for 
the 
NOC, 
NS, 
host 
municipality/city/province/regions for specific objectives, which include, 


among others, the following: homestay, volunteer and/or community work, 
and other related activities as defined under this Act. 
I 
b) 
Propose and recommend institutions to visit, discussion themes, sports and 
recreation aktivities, club activities, and any other pertinent activities on 
board the ship. 
c) 
Participate in the selection of youth participants and leaders in the regions. 
SECTION 9. Idformation management 
ole of the DOT and Other 
Participating 
v e r f f ~ ~ n ~  
Agencies. - 
l 
a> A nation-wide information campaign shall be initiated by the DOT in 
coordination with the Philippine Information Agency and shall be supported by 
the participating government agencies. 
b) There shall be two official publication in one newspaper of general circulation 
about the Program: one is the opening of application which includes, among 
others, period, criteria, deadline, and other relevant information; and, the 
profile of the successful participating youths and youth leaders from the 
regions including the program schedule. 
a 
SECTION 1 0. Incentives to Participating Private OrganizationdCompanies. 
- The following incentives shall be provided for by the NOC to the participating 
organization: 
a) Invitation from NOC to send an observer for the entire duration of the 
Program. 
b) Other benefits and/or incentives which the NOC may deem necessary. 
SECTION l’l. ppropriafions. - The funds necessary for the implementation of 
this Act shall be charged to the appropriation of the DOT under the current General 
Appropriation Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 


SECTION 12, 
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,