Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5209

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE YOUTH LEGISLATORS PROGRAM

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The youth has always been a potent force for nation-building. The 1987
Philippine Constitution acknowledges the importance of this sector in developing
a strong Filipino Nation. Article II, Section 13 states:

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.

Aside from the Constitution, youth participation is also enshrined in other
statutes. The 1991 Local Government Code provides for the youth's participation
in local development and the establishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan. The
1995 Youth in Nation-Building Act provided a national comprehensive program
on youth development and the creation of the National Youth Commission.
Furthermore, the Medium-Term Youth Development Plan of the Philippines
identified the youth's right to participate in decision-making on policies involving
them and their responsibility to represent their sector in policy-making bodies.



‘This bill seeks to include the youth in the highest policy-making body of the
country by institutionalizing the Youth Legislators Program. The proposed Youth
Legislature is tasked to propose a youth agenda of bills and resolutions to the
House of Representatives and the Senate.

To ensure that the youth's voices are heard in the national legislative process,

the passage of this measure is earnestly urged.



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5209

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE YOUTH LEGISLATORS PROGRAM

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Youth Legislators
Program Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote
youth participation in the legislative process by giving them an opportunity to
express their views on issues affecting them and on what laws may be enacted
to address these.

SECTION 3. Youth Legislators Program. - Immediately following the
assumption of office of Senators and District Representatives, there shall be a
body comprised of the youth who shall convene regularly for a period to propose
bills and resolutions to the House of Representatives and the Senate. This body
shall be called the Youth Legislature.

The Youth Legislature shall approve proposals for bills and resolutions in the
same manner the House of Representatives and the Senate adopt bills and


resolutions. The) approved proposals shall be submitted to the House of
Representatives and the Senate who may adopt the same.

SECTION 4. Youth Legislators. - There shall be one youth legislator for every
legislative district who shall report to the House of Representatives and twenty-
four youth legislators who shall report to the Senate. They shall be selected
from a pool of applicants through written and oral examinations to be
conducted by the National Youth Commission (NYC).

|
(A) Qualifi¢ations - A youth legislator must:

a. |be at least 15 but not more than 24 years old, qualifying
|within the United Nations Youth age range;

b. be a resident of the legislative district he/she is representing,
if reporting to the House of Representatives;

c. |be a resident of the Philippines, if reporting to the Senate;

d. not have previously been a youth legislator;

e. not be a relative within the fourth civil degree of an
incumbent elected official; and

f. have other qualifications set by the NYC.

(B) Period - The Youth Legislature shall be given two weeks to convene
and apprave proposals for bills and resolutions.

(C) Obligations - A youth legislator shall:

‘a. propose bills and resolutions to be presented to the Youth
Legislature for approval, and participate in the deliberations
of the body on the proposals;


b. observe sessions, public hearings, and other meetings of the
House of Representatives or the Senate, as the case may be;
and

c. attend trainings, seminars, or forums organized by the NYC
for purpose of implementing this Act

SECTION 5. Honorarium. - A youth legislator is entitled to receive a daily
honorarium for @ period of two weeks equivalent to 75% of the minimum wage
in Metro Manila,

SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. - The NYC shall be the primary
implementing and supervising agency for the implementation of this Act. It
shall formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations immediately
upon the approval of this Act.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such
amount as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the
National Treasury, Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous
operation of this program shall be included in the annual appropriations of the
NYC.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly

SECTION 10. etivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in t
circulation.

je Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general

Approved,