SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2545 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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JAN -5 P 3 :51 
INSTITUTING THE PRESIDENTIAL YOUTH ADVISOR COUNCIL 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13 provides: 
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. 
Youth participation is "an ongoing process of children's expression and active 
involvement in decision-making at different levels in matters that concern them. It 
requires information-sharing and dialogue between children and adults, based on mutual 
respect, and full consideration of children's views in the light of their age and maturity.,,1 
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) enumerates why the State should 
encourage youth participation.2 First, the youth have knowledge and opinions different 
from those that the adults assume they have. The adults assume what the youth think and 
want. These assumptions are sometimes false thus leading to erroneous approach on 
issues affecting the youth. Second, youth participation is a right. The United Nations 
Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the tight of the youth to express views 
on matters affecting them. The youth's right to freedom of expression includes the 
freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Third, the capacities of the 
I UNICEF, Handbook on Child Participation in Parliament, Handbook for Parliamentarians No. 18 -2011. 
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youth evolve. As a yOUllg individual grow older, his/her perspectives broaden thus "their 
capacity to take responsibility for decisions affecting their lives increases.,,3 
This bill seeks to promote youth participation by involving the youth in the policy-
making process of the Executive branch. It aims to give them an opportunity to 
participate in issues directly affecting them by allowing them to discuss these with and 
suggest solutions to the Executive. 
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I 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
',:, 
JAN -5 P 3 :51 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
AN ACT 
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INSTITUTING THE PRESIDENTIAL YOUTH ADVISOR COUNCIL 
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SECTION L Short Title, - This Act shall be known as "Presidential Youth 
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Advisor Council Act" 
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SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy of the State to promote youth 
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participation in the policy-making process of the government by giving them an 
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opportunity to directly discuss issues and possible corresponding solutions with executive 
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officials, 
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SECTION 3, Presidential Youth Advisor Council, - Immediately following the 
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assumption of office of the President and every three years thereafter, there shall be 
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selected young individuals who shall propose policies to the members of the Cabinet 
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This group of young individuals shall be called the Presidential Youth Advisor CounciL 
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SECTION 4, Youth Advisors. - The youth advisors shall be of the same number as 
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that oEthe members of the Cabinet. Each youth advisor shall be assigned to one Cabinet 
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member to whom the former shall present the proposaL They shall be sclected from a 
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pool of applicants by the National Youth Commission (NYC) who shall evaluate their 
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proposals. 
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(A) 
Qualifications - A youth advisor: 
a. must be at least 15 but not more than 24 years old; 
b. must not have previously been a youth advisor; 
c. must not be a relative within the fourth civil degree of an incumbent 
elected oflicial; and 
d. must have other qualifications set by the NYC 
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Period - The Council shall be given a week to finalize the proposals and 
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present them to the Cabinet members. 
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SECTION 5. Honorarium. - A youth advisor is entitled to receive a daily 
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honorarium [or a period of one week which is equivalent to 75% of the minimum wage in 
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Metro Manila. 
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SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. -
The ,NYC shall be the primary 
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implementing and supervising agency for the implementation of this Act. It shall 
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formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations immediately upon the 
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approval of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
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or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its 
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publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Itmdp22Dec20 14 
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