Republic of the Philippines FIVE D
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES T £016

Quezon City, Metro Manila

1

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session
4052

HOUSE BILL Ni

Introduced by HON. RENE L. RELAMPAGOS
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Filipino youth comprises almost one-third of the country’s total population.
Given their large share in our population, the youth increasingly plays a huge role in the
development of our nation. Hence, Dr. Jos 's infamous adage, “The youth is the
hope of our motherland.” It is therefore important to ensure that they are fully engaged
in decisions that affect their daily lives and trained to leadership and public service.

‘The United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) recognizes
youth participation as a right of all children and young people. Moreover, the 1987
Constitution, in its declaration of principles and state policies, explicitly states 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.” (Article II, Section 13).

While existing laws on youth participation are set in place and implemented, the
growing complexities of problems surrounding the youth such as “old-style”

or
“traditional politics,” undermine the true spirit of youth participation in local

governance idenced by the growing criticisms questioning the wisdom and
practicability of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) which has eventually become a

breeding ground for corruption and nepotism.

‘Thus, this bill seeks to establish Youth Development Councils in each barangay,
city/municipality and province all over the country. The Councils shall be composed of
different youth leaders or representatives from the broadest pool of youth organizations
irrespective of the nature whether school-based, faith-based and work-based, among
others. The members, meanwhile, shall be accredited by Barangay Development
Councils, City/Municipal and Provincial Boards.

‘There really has to be a genuine space for youth participation in order to make
meaningful reforms. Hence, this measure aims to broaden the influence and
participation of the youth in community and local affairs by providing them the
autonomy to come up with programs and projects that will truly benefit them and the

nation as a whole.
‘
anti RELAMPAGOS



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4 052°

Introduced by HON. RENE L, RELAMPAGOS
First District, Bohol

“YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 2016”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repi
Congress assembled:

miatives of the Philippines in

SECTION 1, Short Title. - ‘This Act shall be known as the “Youth
Empowerment Act of 2016.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to foster and
promote the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being of Filipino
youth, inculeating in them patriotism and nationalism, and encouraging their
participation in public and civic affairs.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. ~ As used in this Act, the following terms are
relerred to as follows:

1. Youth ~ refers to those persons between the ages of fifteen (15) and twenty-
four (24) years old ined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Youth Organization ~ refers to a local organization composed of members
between the ages of fifteen (15) and twenty-four (24) years old and which
represents, among, others, the following sectors: in-school-youth, out-of
school-youth, working youth, faith-based, farming, youth with special needs

3. Council ~ refers to the Youth Development Council (YDC) as provided herein.

4. Cominittee ~ shall refer to the youth organization accreditation committee
composed of three members: one (1) from the local government unit
concerned; one (1) from the Department of Education or the Commission on
Higher Education; and one (1) from the private sector. The Committee shall



be primarily tasked to accredit youth organizations in the
barangay/ municipality city/ provincial level as the case may be.

Youth Development Officer ~ the member of the Sanggunian in-charged of
the youth committee shall automatically be the youth development officer
who will be responsible in implementing the youth development plan of the
Council in their respective areas of jurisdiction;

{CTION 4. Youth Development Council ~ There shall be created a Youth
Development Council (YDC) in every barangay, city/municipality and province whieh
shall be responsible for the formulation of polices and implementation of youth
development programs, projects and activities in their respective areas of jurisdiction in
coordination with various government and non-government organizations.

After the acereditation by the Committee of the youth organizations in their
respective areas of jurisdiction, the youth development officer shall call for an assembly
to be attended by the president, viee president, secretary and treasurer of each youth
organization in the local area concerned. The assembly shall then choose from among
themselves members of the Youth Development Council which shall not be more than
nine (9) from the barangay youth development council, eleven (11) for the municipality,
thirteen (13) for the city and fifteen (15) for the provincial. ‘Thereafter, the members of
the council shall elect, from among themselves, their own set of officers, comprising of
the following

L. President - shall be in charged with the administration of affairs of the
Youth Council with assistance from Adult Advisors, and/or Council
Members. He/she shall preside over all meetings of the Youth Council and
shall appoint committees when necessary to research issues.

2. Vice President - shall assume the duties of the President during the
President's absence. He/she shall prepare an annual report with
assistance from the Council Members, summarizing the activities of the
Council,

3. Secretary - shall record and maintain the minutes of all Youth Council
meetings and file them with the copies of previous minutes. He/she shall
prepare and receive correspondence for the Youth Council and perform
other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office,

Communications Of hall manage the Youth Council's social media

accounts, He/She shall provide and manage the communication process

between Council, subgroups and general members and announce all
important activities to the publ

‘Treasurer — overseas and presents budgets, a il

statements. He/she shall liase with the members of the Council about

financial matters ord keeping of accounts.

6. Such other officers as may later be provided.

ounts and financi

nd ensure Pr



SECTION 5. Objectives ~ The Council shsall have the following objectives:
1. General Objective
a, To develop and harness the full potential of the youth as
responsible partners in nation buildin,
b. To encourage intensive and active participation of youth in all
government and non-government programs, projects and activities
affecting them;
c. To harmonize all government and non-government init
the development of youth sector; and
4. To supplement government appropriations for youth promotion
and development with funds from oth

tives or

ounces;

2. Specific Objectives:

a, To broaden and strengthen the services provided by national
government agencies, local government units and private agencies
to young people;

b. To provide information me on youth opportunities on the
area of education, employment, livelihood, physical and mental
health, capability building, networking and climate change;

¢. To increase the spirit of volunteerism among the Filipino youth
particularly in the maintenance of peace and order and the
preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and
natural resources within their locality;

d. To provide monitoring and coordinating mechanisms for youth
programs, projects and activities; and

c. ‘To provide a venue for the active participation of the youth in

program.

cultural and eco-tourism awarene:

SECTION 6. Powers of the Council. — The Council shall, among others, have the
following powers and functions;

a. Formulate the youth development plan;

b. Represent the youth in all matters affecting them. For this purpose, the
council shall choose among themselves who shall represent them in the
peace and order council, development council, nutrition council and in
such other local bodies of the local government unit they represent;
Participate in the deliberations and discussions of the
barangay/municipal/city and provineial councils on all policy
measures affecting them;

d, Submit to the National Youth Commission their youth development
plan;

¢. Perform such other functions as may be necessary to ensure
participation of the youth in all matters affecting them.



Members of the Council shall not receive honorarium expect reasonable per diem
when they serve as members in various local bodies in their respective local government
units,

SECTION 7. Youth Development Plan, — The Council shall formulate and adopt
a five-year barangay/city/municipal/provincial youth development plan which shall be
duly supported by an ordinance enacted ~—s bythe Sangguniang,
Barangay/Bayan/Panglungsod/Panlalawigan, The said plan shall be the basis for the
implementation of local youth development programs and services in coordination with
ies. These shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

concernec

Youth Development Programs

a. Scholarship and Exchange Program - Local and_ international

scholarship and exchange programs, grants, and subsidies;

b. Sports and Recreation ~ Trainings/conter
clinics, competitions and other sj
Livelihood Developments - Trainings on livelihood skills, basic
business management, formal and non-formal skills, market
linkaging, business development, value orientation, credit facility
and job placement sourcing;

a. ‘Training and Capability Building Programs - Leadership, advocacy,
value formation, governance, entrepreneurship, information
technology and other relevant programs;

e. Youth Cooperatives - Organization of youth cooperatives, technical
assistance and financial support from appropriate government
agencies;

f. Culture and the Arts - Cultural programs and activities, workshops,
art classes; and
g. Environment and Climate Change - Trainings, fora and various

activities on the care and preservation of the environment including,
mitigation of climate change.

2. Other Services

a. Information Resource Services - Internet, E-mail, websites and
information on job opportunities, scholarships, trainings, local and
international networking, and copies of all Laws, Executive Orders,
Presidential Decrees. Rules, Regulations and other issuances
pertinent to the youth sector, including youth related measures filed
in both Houses of Congress;

b. Adolescent Health - Counseling, Services, Orientation, Seminars,
‘Trainings on health-related matters, and referrals to appropriate
government elinies, hospitals, rural health units and institutions;
Youth Hostels and Training Center Facilities - Access to hostels,
dormitories, affiliated half-way houses, temporary shelter and

aining centers;



d, Legal Assistance - Access to free or affordable legal services such as
counselling, advice, court hearings, preparation of legal documents,
and referrals to appropriate agencies;

e. Eco Tourism - Promotional campaign designed to promote local
tourism destinations, and information on travel guides, seminars,
conferences, and othe!

. ~ The Council shall convene

SECTION 8. Local Youth Consultation/Congres
local youth congress or conduct consultations with the youth at least once a year. All
resolutions, declarations and proceedings of the local youth congress/consultations
hall be submitted to the Couneil for appropriate action,

“al Government Unit Concerned. ~ It shall
spective barangay, city,

SECTION 9. Responsibility of the Lo
be the responsibility of the local chic ecutive in their ré
municipality or province to ensure that the provisions of this Act are implemented to its
fullest,

BCTION 10. Role of the National Youth Commission, ~ The National Youth
hall have the following duties and functions:

a. Be responsible in consolidating all the youth development plans of the
various youth development councils in the country;

b. In close coordination with the local government concerned and the

respective youth development officer, oversee the implementation of

the youth development plan;

Conyene biennial national youth assemblies of all chairpe

provincial and city youth development councils. These assembl

serve as a venue for discussion of all youth cone

d, Formulate the national youth agenda for submission to the Office of

the President and Congress; and

Closely work with the legis|

youth;

‘sons of the

$s shall

ms;

easures for the

jature on proposed polic

SECTION 11. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to carry out the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against each local government unit’s
Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) following the enacment of the law. Thereafter, ten
(10%) percent of the local government unit's yearly IRA shall be dedicated solely to
implement and fund the youth development plan and other activities and programs as
mentioned in Seetion 7.

SECTION 13. lmplementing Rules and Regulations. — The National Youth
Commision, in close coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government, League of Cities, League of Municipalities and Provinces, Department of
Education, Commission on Higher Education, concerned committees of both Houses of
Congress and other concerned agencies shall formulate the implementing rules and



regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from its
approval

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended ¢

modified accordingly

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and

effect.

SECTION 16. Efiectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,