Committee On Peace Building And Security_local Youth Complex Act.docx

Republic of the Philippines 12TH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT City of Davao Youth Bill No. 9

INTRODUCED BY: COMMITTEE ON PEACE-BUILDING AND SECURITY

EXPLANATORY NOTE The youth are susceptible to all kinds of negative influence that leads them in a life of crime, drugs, and danger. The Philippine government has apparently undermined the severity of juvenile delinquency problem in the society. This neglect has contributed to the upsurge of juvenile-related crimes that has caused enormous questions on the socio-political, economic, as well as security programs of the government (Villarante, 2002). According to the Philippine National Police Statistics 2000 on Common Crimes Committed by Juveniles, 2.5% were murder and homicide, 8.0% were physical injuries, 12.0% were rape and acts of lasciviousness, 52.5% were robbery and theft, 13.9% was drug related, and 11.0% were other unspecified crimes. Almost always, poverty and environment were the enablers of such acts. Over the years, the number of youth in conflict with the law has been quite alarming. As cited in PYDP 2017-2022, it was reported by the Center for the Welfare of Children (CWC) there were more than 52,000 children reported to be in-conflict with law from 1995 to 2000 (Sabangan, 2011). Also according to Sabangan (2011), close to 64,000 CICLs were served by the government from 2001 to 2010 as reported by the Department of Social Work and Community Development (DSWD). The Philippine National Police recorded 2,462 cases of CICL in Metro Manila between 2012 and 2015, and nearly 40,000 nationwide (Cabildo & Cruz, 2016). These reports only involve ‘child youth’ – persons who are aged 17 and below. These data and facts show that the youth of the Philippines need assistance and support. A solution to lure these children away from the streets and areas of conflict that are subject to crimes and negative influences is strongly needed, such as a place for learning and development for volunteer and mandatory learners, as well as promote awareness regarding timely and sensitive topics. There is a need for a creation of an institution in every locality that will openly accept the young people in their area and will solely be responsible for the holistic development and rehabilitation of these people. The proposed institution shall benefit the community itself as it will provide training, education, programs, and facilities that will ensure development and produce contributors for economic and social activities. Safety and deterrence to crime, drugs, and other

Republic of the Philippines 12TH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT City of Davao harmful influences will also be guaranteed.

In view of the foregoing, the urgency of passing this bill is earnestly recommended.

Republic of the Philippines 12TH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT City of Davao Youth Bill No. 9

INTRODUCED BY: COMMITTEE ON PEACE-BUILDING AND SECURITY

AN ACT ESTABLISHING LOCAL YOUTH COMPLEXES IN ALL MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF Section 1: Short Title. Local Youth Complex Act of 2018 Section 2. Coverage. All Local Government Units Section 3. Definition of Terms a. Local Youth Complex - various facilities and programs for the welfare, development, education, and rehabilitation of all youth in a community. b. Youth - as defined in Republic Act 8044, men and women who are within the ages of 15 to 30 years old. c. Indigenous Youth - men and women within the ages 15-30 years old that belong to Indigenous Cultural Communities that are described in Republic Act 8371 also known as Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA), as a group of people or homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. d. Intervention - defined in Republic Act 9344 – An act establishing a comprehensive juvenile justice and welfare system, creating the juvenile justice and welfare council under the department of justice, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes, as a series of activities, which are designed to address issues that caused the youth to commit an offense. It may take the form of an individualized treatment program which may include counseling, skills training, education, and other activities that will enhance his/her psychological, emotional and psycho-social well-being.

Republic of the Philippines 12TH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT City of Davao e. Peer support system – a group of people with common experiences or concerns who provide each other with encouragement, comfort, and advice f. Peace Builders – pertains to the people who were graduates of the Peace Camps. g. Youth Peace Camp – An annual activity that will train and educate youth about self discipline, peace - building, conflict transformation and other related important topics that will lessen the youth’s crime involvement. h. Youth in Conflict with the Law - a child who is alleged as, accused of, or adjudged as, having committed an offense under Philippine laws. Section 4: Main Provision All local governments shall establish an accessible Local Youth Complex that will provide facilities and programs that promote holistic development for youth in their locality

Section 5: Creation of Local Youth Complex a. Local Governments shall conduct a study on which barangay or strategical area should the Local Youth Complex be placed including the Zoning Regulation. b. Local Governments shall identify what facilities, activities, and programs are appropriate for addition and implementation in terms of their culture, religion, and location. c. Local Governments shall create annexes in the case of scarcity of land areas where Complex will be placed.

Section 6: Nature of Local Youth Complex The Local Youth Complex shall cater to youth of all backgrounds; out-of-school youth, indigenous youth, youth with specific needs, child in conflict with the law, child at risk, drug-dependent youth, and those who are victims of crimes and need support and therapy. The institution shall not discriminate its beneficiaries regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, culture, disability, educational attainment, sexual orientation and identification. The Local Government Unit shall have full authority in the operations, oversight, and maintenance of the Local Youth Complex and shall declare it a Peace Zone.

Republic of the Philippines 12TH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT City of Davao Section 7: Functions of the Local Youth Complex a. Shall ensure a safe and ideal place while conducting activities for the youth of the community to learn, play, socialize, and be cared for. b. Shall provide training and workshop for vocational and technical skills for out of school youths in partnership with other agency such as TESDA. c. Shall teach peace education, family planning, drug awareness, human rights awareness, and timely topics to the youth. d. Shall encourage the youth to take part in spiritual enlightenment, leadership trainings, and community service. e. Shall create a network of peer support systems among the youth who are struggling in many aspects of their lives. f. Shall implement intervention and rehabilitation programs for youth who are subjected to these programs such as drug-dependent youth and children in conflict with the law. g. Shall offer sports and recreational facilities for public use. h. Shall organize regular sports festivals, youth games, and friendly competitions for literature, visual arts, theater arts, and music. i. Shall construct one (1) multi-purpose hall and lecture rooms for mass teachings, seminars, forums, and small group discussions. Section 8: Creation of the Task Force The Local Government Unit shall create a task force where they are mandated to ensure that programs in the plan are implemented and utilized solely for youth development. Section 9: Mandated Programs The Local Youth Complex shall ensure that this mandated programs were facilitated well with the involvement of the different agencies such as Department of Social Welfare and Development and the like to warrant the effective implementation of the activities. a. Sectoral Fora – Participation of Youth in the Peace Process This program shall convene youth from municipalities through fora and focus group discussions to tackle issues, concerns, standing and contributions of the youth in the peace process, wherein their regions or areas are directly affected by the peace process. The convening shall have, after its realization, the positions and recommendations of the youth to the peace process in their areas, in which will be then submitted to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process for reference and considerations b. Youth Peace Camp

Republic of the Philippines 12TH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT City of Davao To educate and train the youth about self - discipline, peace - building, conflict transformation and other related important topics that will lessen the youth’s crime involvement. Topics and Activities: The following are the topics and activities included in the camp:        

Peace, peace - building and security Conflict and conflict transformation Leadership Self - discipline Laws and crimes Citizenship Team - building and other related activities Inter - cultural awareness

c. Peace Impact Model The peace builders are expected to formulate their own Peace Impact Model, it can be in a form of Policy, Training and Service. With the mentorship of LYDO, youth peace-builders will be able to implement and/or lobby their crafted impact models to their respective barangays. d. Training and Livelihood for Out-School-Youth To conduct training for a sustainable livelihood for out of school youth e. Youth Olympics To promote camaraderie through various activities on sports, art appreciation and literature. Section 10: Purposes of the Usage and Limitations of the Complexes. The Local Youth Complex shall be used for solely used for the purpose of conduct of activities related to the holistic development of the youth. Section 11: Preparation. After passing the bill within six (6) months latency period and preparations, the National Youth Commission, Sangguniang Kabataan, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority shall convene and collaborate on the module and action plan of Local Youth Complex which shall be anchored to the Local Youth Development Plan of each municipalities and cities as well as on the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan.

Republic of the Philippines 12TH NATIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT City of Davao Section 12: Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of the respective municipality or City following its enactment into law and thereafter. Section 13: Repealing Clause. Any provision of law or regulations inconsistent herewith is hereby repealed, revoked or modified accordingly. Section 14: Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared void or unconstitutional, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not be affected by such declaration. Section 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.