NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
Renats:
of tl)c !%■ I rtnr»
23 FEB 21 P3 23
SENATE
S. No. 1907
RliCEiVED i'.':
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MIGRANT FILIPINO YOUTH DESKS IN ALL PHILIPPINE 
EMBASSIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is known for out-migration and there is significant involvement 
of Filipino youth in this cross-border phenomenon. Migration, instead of being 
merely an option, has started to become a livelihood strategy for a large portion of 
Filipino families.
Based on the 2018 National Migration Survey, about 55 percent of Filipinos 
aged 15 and over have ever moved to or resided in another city, municipality, 
province, region, or country for three months or more since birth. Forty-nine percent 
(49%) moved within the country or internal migrants, three percent moved to/from 
another country or international migrants, and four percent were both internal and 
international migrants.1
While it may open opportunities to Filipino youths, a 2016 study shows that 
the migration process adversely affects young people when confronted with social 
discrimination due to migration status, ethnicity, and religion. Further, overseas 
migration of parents from the Philippines has resulted in increasing numbers of 
long-term separations of parents from each other and from their children.2
1 More than half of Filipinos 15 years and over have ever migrated (Results from the 2018 National Migration Survey) f Internet], Philippine 
Statistics Authority. Available from: https://psa.gov.ph/national-migration-survey/nms-id/l45456
2 Arguillas, Marie & Williams, Lindy. (2010). The Impact of Parents’ Overseas Employment on Educational Outcomes of Filipino Children. 
International Migration Review. Available from:
https://www.rcscarchgatc.net/publication/230075315_The_Inipact_of_Parents'_Overscas_Employment_on_Educalional_Oulcomes_of_Filip 
ino Children


The above-cited vulnerabilities of the Filipino youth may be prevented and 
migration will provide a positive impact if the State shall intervene in the midst of the 
process. The State should have a system wherein Filipino youth shall have access to 
basic social services that will address their issues relating to health, risks associated 
with sexual and reproductive health, and lack or loss of social protection once the 
migration process is initiated.
There are lots of concerns that the State must address relating to Migrant 
Filipino youths such as susceptibility to trafficking abuse, wage arrears, forced labor, 
informal employment, and underage domestic workers. This is especially true among 
undocumented youth migrants. Furthermore, among Filipino children born and 
raised abroad or with biracial lineage, identity crisis is a frequent issue.
It should be noted that the youth has unique needs and age-specific problems 
such as discrimination, difficulty obtaining Philippine documents, and difficulty 
participating in socio-political activities, among others. The youth migrant sector has 
also received limited attention relative to gender, trafficking, and worker-related 
issues. This further emphasizes the need to ensure that there is a centralized 
program that handles and addresses youth migrants' concerns.
Currently, no institutionalized program addresses this dilemma, whereas, one 
of the agenda statements of the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2017-2022 
under Global Mobility is "for overseas Filipino youth to strengthen their ties with the 
Philippines."
This proposed bill seeks to establish Migrant Filipino Youth Desks in all 
Philippine embassies abroad. These desks will develop programs to protect and 
promote the safety, security, and welfare of the MFYs.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR
https:/7\vww.rcsearchgale.net/piiblication/230075315_Thc_Impacl_or_Parcnts,_Ovcrscas_tmploymcnt_on_Educalional_Oiilcomcs_of_Filip 
ino Children


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
^enme
of f!;? &-r
23 FEB 21 P3 23
RtCEPTD c' 
_____
SENATE
S. No. 1907
O
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MIGRANT FILIPINO YOUTH DESKS IN ALL PHILIPPINE 
EMBASSIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the "Migrant Filipino Youth
2 
Desks Act of2023."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
4 
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
5 
intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and
6 
nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
7 
It is also the policy of the State to provide appropriate legal measures for the
8 
protection of the human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos
9 
residing abroad, and provide preventive measures and legal aid services to the
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underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection.
11 
The State further declares the inculcation in the youth of patriotism, nationalism
12 
and other basic desirable values, belief in the sanctity of life and human dignity of the
13 
human person, a conviction for the strength and unity of the family, and adherence to
14 
truth and justice.


1 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms
2 
shall mean:
3 
a) Desks - refer to the designated area and personnel in Philippine
4 
Embassies which serves the youth.
5 
b) Interventions - refer to programs, policies, and frameworks designed to
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address grievances and cater to the sociocultural, psychosocial, and
7 
consular needs of MYF.
8 
c) Migrant Filipino Youth (MYF) - are Filipino citizens aged 15-30 years old
9 
who are residing in foreign countries permanently or temporarily for
10 
various intents and purposes such as employment, education, and family
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reunification.
12 
d) Philippine Embassies (PE) - are the principal representatives of the
13 
Philippine Government in the conduct of its relations with the government
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of foreign countries which the former has mutual agreements with.
15 
Sec. 4. Coverage - This Act shall apply to all migrant Filipino youth.
16 
Sec. 5. Nature of Migrant Filipino Youth Desks- The Migrant Filipino Desks are
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assistance and information desks established in the PEs which shall cater to the needs
18 
of migrant Filipino youth regardless of age, religion, disability, gender orientation, and
19 
educational attainment, among others.
20 
Sec. 6. Duties and Functions. - The youth desks shall have the following duties
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and functions:
22 
a) Develop programs for the protection and promotion of the safety, security
23 
and welfare of the MFYs;
24 
b) Provide interventions that will help instill patriotism and nationalism
25 
among the MFY through socio-cultural programs and heritage introduction
26 
activities;
27 
c) Establish a scheme of recording accurate data and information of
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documented and undocumented MFYs necessary for policy and program
29 
development;
30 
d) Provide counseling and legal services for the MFYs;
2


1 
e) Monitor situations, circumstances, and activities affecting MFYs; and
2 
f) Perform other duties and functions deemed necessary.
3 
Sec. 7. MFYDesk Officer. -There shall be a created position of MFY Desk Officer
4 
who shall be primarily responsible for the administration and implementation of the
5 
duties and functions of the desks, whose qualifications, salary, and benefits shall be
6 
determined accordingly subject to rules and regulations set by the Civil Service
7 
Commission and other related agencies.
8 
Sec. 8. Preparation. -The Department of Foreign Affairs shall conduct a study to
9 
identify Migrant Filipino Youth population and issues, and develop an action plan to
10 
address issues and basic needs of MFYs.
11 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Foreign
12 
Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, and National Youth Commission shall within
13 
120 days after the approval of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations necessary to
14 
implement the provision of this Act.
15 
Sec. 10. Appropriations - The DFA shall allocate funds chargeable against their
16 
General Fund and subsequently shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for
17 
the operations and implementation of this Act.
18 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional
19 
or invalid, such holding shall not affect other provisions not affected thereby.
20 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules,
21 
and regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
22 
or amended accordingly.
23 
Sec. 13. EffectMty. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
25 
circulation.
Approved,