THE ROLE OF CONTEMPORARY YOUTH IN THE ASEAN: The Philippine Experience

and the Medium Term Youth Development Plan 2006-2010

1987 Philippine Constitution

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.

The National Youth Commission was created by virtue of Republic Act 8044 – The Youth in Nation-Building Act.

The NYC is the primary agency, attached to the Office of the President, that is responsible for the policies on youth development and acts as a coordinative body of all youth programs of other government agencies.

The NYC operationalized this provision through the creation of the Medium-Term Youth Development Plan (MTYDP) 2005-2010, of which all youth programs and projects implemented by all government agencies are strategically evaluated and monitored for their specific role in involving and enabling the youth as able partners towards national development.

The National Framework for Youth Development (also known as the Medium-Term Youth Development Plan 2005-2010) is anchored on, and consistent with the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010 and the Philippine National Development Plan (Plan 21), which is the development plan of the Philippine national government until the year 2025.

It is the result of a review of government and non-government efforts to further youth development, as well as a nationwide consultation process that sought to get the ideas and concerns of the different youth-serving sectors from all over the country.

The MTYDP is the guiding framework for implementing strategies and activities that respond to the youth’s most pressing issues, concerns and needs.

The 2005-2010 MTYDP is issue-focused rather than sector-focused. Issues are categorized as follows:

Health Education Employment Values Participation Specific Youth Groups

Youth values and participation, as well as the steps for Plan localization, is being emphasized. Other additional items are the institutional responses to youth issues, case studies on youth volunteerism and participation, and monitoring and evaluation indicators.

It also highlights the roles of basic institutions in the inculcation of positive values among the youth. While it focuses on the Sangguniang Kabataan (local youth councils), it also gives due recognition to the roles of the local youth development councils, student councils, and other youth organizations. It emphasizes the need to increase the level of participation of youth in governance and decision-making in various structures. Equally important is the need for youth to gain a positive self-image and confidence through a life skills approach.

YOUTH ISSUES:

HEALTH – involves the intellectual, emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical well-being of the youth.

EDUCATION – involves the knowledge, skills and learning processes of the youth.

EMPLOYMENT – involves the youth’s engagement in economic activities.

VALUES – involves the character-building of the youth.

PARTICIPATION – involves the youth’s involvement in decisions and actions that affect their lives.

SPECIFIC YOUTH GROUPS – involves organized support system of the youth.

POLICY AGENDA STATEMENTS:

On Youth Education:1. Enable access to quality and responsive education to all levels2. Develop globally competitive youth

On Youth Employment:3. Decrease youth unemployment and underemployment4. Prevent the exploitation of young workers and working children

On Youth Health:5. Ensure the acceptability, accessibility, availability and affordability of

cultural and gender sensitive and responsive and user-friendly health services and facilities for adolescents and youth, especially in regard to adolescent health and youth development (AHVYD)

6. Reduce adverse effects of risk behavior among Filipino youth

On Youth Participation:7. Strengthen youth participation in community and youth development

activities, such as in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating youth programs and projects.

8. Intergrate the youth agenda and concerns in local and national development plans.

On Specific Youth Groups:9. Eliminate all forms of discrimination and abuse against youth.

On Youth Values:10.Promote a positive and healthy self-image, critical thinking, love of

country, social responsibility and the spirit of volunteerism among youth.

Who are the youth?

Under RA 8044 – The Youth in Nation-Building Act, defines youth are persons aged 15-30 years old.

Who are the contemporary youth?

These are spirited, passionate, and driven young people, with a strong love for country and have made themselves available to be partners in nation-building.

What is the role of the contemporary youth in the ASEAN?