Youth Leaders to Address Concerns

“Almost 2 million young people in this country are hooked on illegal substances, and this number continues to grow.” –According to the 2004 Youth Attributes, Participation and Service-Providers Study of the National Youth Commission.

This is among the alarming issues confronting the youth today, which will be tackled by the National Youth Commission during the gathering of more than 200 youth leaders representing the 16 regions for the Fifth National Youth Parliament (NYP) on October 26-29, 2004.

The NYP aims to serve as a government tool to address prevailing issues and to serve as a guide in policy formulation and program development for the youth in the Philippines. According to NYC Commissioner Ares Goyena, National Organizing Committee Chairman, the Parliament shall also be a venue for the validation of the 2005-2010 Medium-Term Youth Development Plan, drafted by the NYC.

During the Parliament, the issues, goals, strategies and activities on youth development identified in the 2005-2010 MTYDP will be presented to the youth delegates for validation and for additional comments and suggestions, including best practices. The 3-day convention is also seen to generate regional action plans.

The MTYDP will serve as the blueprint of youth development programs for the next medium-term. Thus, the NYC believes that the participation of the youth leaders in the formulation of the said Plan is vital in making sure that the youth issues are well addressed.

Six youth policy issues were identified as areas to be the focus of discussion, namely: education, values, employment, health, participation and youth with special needs.

The NYC partners with the United Nation’s Population Fund-Commission on Population, Plan Philippines International and the NYP Alumni Association Inc. in conducting the convention. The local government of the province of Albay and the City of Legazpi also supports this activity of youth leaders.

The NYP is a convention of youth leaders all over the country represented based on equal geographical representation among men and women, members of youth organizations of government, non-government organizations, peoples’ organizations, ethnic and religious organizations.

The delegates will also be submitting each a research paper on the situation of the Filipino youth obtained from local schools, government agencies, and other organizations focusing on one of the six youth policy issues identified.

Based on Republic Act 8044, otherwise known as the “Youth in Nation Building Act,” the NYC is mandated to convene the NYP every two years.