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 wellbeing. 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 MediumTerm 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 youths 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 youths engagement in economic activities.
VALUES involves the character-building of the youth.
PARTICIPATION involves the youths 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 levels
2. Develop globally competitive youth
On Youth Employment:
3. Decrease youth unemployment and underemployment
4. 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?