First Time Voters Project

First Time Voters Project

The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nationbuilding 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. -1987 Constitution -1987 Constitution

28.3%

YOUTH

23.4 million in 2004 Male: 50.1% Female: 49.9%

82.7 M Total population

15-19 years old: 36% 20-24 years old: 32% 25-30 years old: 32%

Presently, the youth aged 15-30 comprise of 1/3 of our entire population. 1/3 of our entire population.

Statistics Office is projecting nine million First Time Voters in the next election, an addition to the total 27.6 million young voters aged 18-34 who will participate in the polls. 18-34 who will participate in the polls. 18-34 who will participate

million new voters are added on the voting population, and the figures are expected to flood before the registration ends on October 31. are expected to flood before the registration ends on October 31.

nine million FTVs can be a powerful change-advancer in the elections, but the numbers are yet to be tested. but the numbers are yet to be tested.

youth aged 7-21 are not concerned about politics. 70% say they distrust the politicians. distrust the politicians.

POVERTY INCIDENCE 24.5 % (around 5.5 million) of the total youth population is poor or below poverty line. The regions with highest incidence of youth poverty are: ARMM – 47% Region V – 40.2% Region XII – 38% Caraga – 37.8% Region IVB – 36%

ISSUES ON EDUCATION

3% of youth aged 7-12; 34% aged 13-16; and 78% aged 16-20 are out of school. Completion Rate: Elementary: 66.13% (7 out of 10 students) Secondary: 70.62% (5 out of the 7 students) Tertiary: 46.48% (2 out of the 5 students) Only 50% of elementary school graduates are qualified for admission in high school (passing grade:30%). At an ideal passing rate of 75%, 99% would not have passed. Compared to other Asian countries, the Philippine government has the lowest spending in education at 13% (Malaysia: 22.1%, Thailand: 21.4%) .

ISSUES ON EMPLOYMENT

1.7 million (49%) out of the total 3.5 unemployed Filipinos are youth. Distribution of Unemployed Youth per Age Group: 15-19 years old: 32% 20-24 years old: 44% 25-30 years old: 24% 35% of all OFWs are youth. 25-29 years old: age group with the most number of OFWs. 6 out of every 10 youth OFWs are female. Issues youth OFWs confront: discrimination, violation of workers’ rights, casualization, occupational safety and health and vulnerability.

ISSUES ON HEALTH

 There is an increase of 20-24 year olds who smoke,

drink and use prohibited drugs.  62% of reported STD cases involve youth.  29% of reported HIV/AIDS cases involve youth.  30% of all births are due to teenage pregnancies. 3 out of 4 victims of maternal deaths are teenage mothers.  Certain characteristics associated with risk behaviors: low educational attainment, being out of school and being in an unstable marital arrangements.

ISSUES ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION

Vision of the youth is generally centered on work, studies and need for social and emotional security. Only negligible number of youth could identify ways of attaining their vision. There is a growing apathy and indifference among the young towards issues that affect the country:

Only 10% of the youth are concerned about politics in the country. 78% of the 7-21 youth seldom or never discuss national issues with their families. Seventy (70%) of the youth say that their trust in Filipino politicians ranges from very small to uncertain. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the young people admit not completely reciting or singing the Philippine national anthem.

Behavior of Young Voters in Elections

Based on NSO data, high estimate of First Time Voters in 2010 is pegged at 9 million, so far, as of June 2009, there are already 2.6 million new voters According to the Pulse Asia Survey in March 2007, registered voters aged 18-34 years old thought that national leaders ought to be a hard worker, can relate well to others and can inspire hope Furthermore, the monitoring group also said that about 79% to 90% of registered voters below 55 years old were aware of political ads in 2004 and there was a slight increase to 88% to 94% in 2007 In addition, they said that FGDs conducted in July 2007 indicate that the youth: can recall more ads can recall more endorsers have a more positive attitude toward ads tend to view it as a source of information as well as source of entertainment But still based their votes on the candidates’ track records

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