Commissioner Steve Laurence Arquiza is renowned globally and across the Philippines as a young and respectable leader from Davao City, a prosperous city in the south of the country. He is a distinguished Parliamentarian, an industrious businessman, and an incessant nation-builder for the realization of the First World Philippines vision. These characteristics attest to his competence to be appointed as a Commissioner-at-Large of the National Youth Commission.

Born on the 31st day of March of 1981, Commissioner Arquiza was educated with the most excellent knowledge and skills in prestigious academic institutions here and abroad. In his tertiary years, he graduated with triple majors on Management, Marketing and Finance in the Ateneo de Davao University in 2001. Afterwards, he pursued a Master’s degree in Public Administration with specialization in Government Administration (MPA-GA) from Ateneo De Davao University - Ateneo Center for Local Governance and graduated with Academic Distinctions. Lastly, he was a Visiting Scholar on Civic Participation at Northern Illinois University and United States Department in 2008.

After having consolidated and organized various student confederations, he had been awarded, among others, as the Most Outstanding Youth of the Philippines in 2001 by the Personnel Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP); Most Outstanding Club President by Ateneo de Davao University; and SAMAHAN Central Board Leadership Award by the Ateneo de Davao University Student Council. His far-reaching involvements led him to be chosen by the National Youth Commission as one of the ambassadors to the 29th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program in 2002.

These awards, at the parlance of its prestige, still entail a larger responsibility, which Comm. Steve was able to contain and worked upon. He vigorously acted for the promotion of patriotism through volunteerism and political awareness through education between and among the youth. In 2003, he took a teaching post at the Ateneo de Davao and taught National Service Training Program-Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) for a year. In his stay in the academe, Comm. Steve did not limit his stay to enriching his intellect; but rather, he exemplified impeccable leadership and dynamic involvement in several national and international youth organizations. He was holistically empowered to apply academic knowledge to educational practice. These and more, paved the way for countless national leaders to recognize and admire his noble contribution and humble endeavor to youth development and empowerment in Southern Philippines.

Aside from being the former Chairperson of the Mindanao Young Leaders Parliament and National Committee Member of the Youth for a First World Philippines Initiative, he has taken a leadership role as National President in the 5th National Youth Parliament who validates the Medium Term Youth Development Plan (MTYDP) of the Philippine government for 2005-2010, which was approved by the President of the Republic of the Philippines on June 27, 2005 through Executive Order 438. Comm. Steve is also a Certified National Trainer of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) and currently he is serving as National Director for Individual Affairs of JCI Philippines.

His outstanding track record is indicative of his fiery passion for democracy and unconditional service as a way of life. Joining the National Youth Commission has just made him even more available to concretely respond to the formal call of youth leadership development. His presence in the NYC certainly re-affirms the fact that youth governance in Southern Philippines and elsewhere in the country is very much alive.

His quiet yet consistent drive for excellence, exemplary character, righteous moral posture, and servant leadership, will certainly back him up to soar greater heights towards Filipino Youth Empowerment in an institution whose primary role is to mobilize the youth for social actions.