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Senate Bill No. 686: Youth Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act

Our beloved country is one of the most vulnerable nations to the threat of climate change.

In the past years, the Philippines has experienced a consistent battery of alarming natural calamities. In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan, the deadliest typhoon in our history, affected over 14 million people and took over 6,000 lives.

While the Philippines has been on the receiving end of countless disasters, our resilience and spirit of volunteerism has become a source of comfort and inspiration.

In trying times, the youth sector serves as a beacon of hope and catalyst of action. Schools become depositories of donations and efficient centers for packing and deployment of relief goods, never running out of willing volunteers.

Others are volunteer firefighters, first responders and peacekeepers in their respective localities, like the Rescue Assistance Peacekeeping Intelligence Detail‘(RAPID) of Cebu City and the Ormoc City-based Hayag Youth Organization.

RAPID has vast experience in relief and rescue operation. They were one of the first responders in Tacloban City after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. They also helped rescue passengers of a passenger vessel that collided with a cargo ship in Cebu in August 2013.

Hayag, for its part, has been teaching swimming, disaster preparedness, first aid and open water safety training to youth. They have successfully taught their members when no one among them had a major accident when Typhoon Yolanda hit Ormoc City.

With impending disasters in the country’s future, it is important to move from post-disaster relief to proactive disaster preparedness. And as the nation moves in this direction, it is important to include young Filipinos in this evolving discussion.

The Responsive, Empowered and Service-Centric Youth (RESCYouth) Act proposes to include the Filipino youth in the nation’s disaster risk reduction policy body to recognize their role in DRRM and empower them with information and skills to help communities in times of crisis.

The measure seeks to have the National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman be included in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to voice out the concerns and proposals of the Filipino youth on disaster prevention, promotion, education, rescue, and rehabilitation, among others.

There is nothing to lose, but so much to gain from engaging the youth in our quest to build a Philippines that is capable of efficiently responding to natural calamities and able to reduce its negative impact on society.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Bam: SK Reform with First Anti-Dynasty Provision Passed on Bicam

The country will soon have its first anti-dynasty law with the bicameral conference committee’s approval of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act.

According to Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Youth, the bicameral conference committee has approved the inclusion of an anti-dynasty provision which bars relatives of local elected and appointed officials up to second level of consanguinity and relatives of national and appointed officials from sitting as SK officials.

“We’re now getting closer to making the country’s SK system into an effective way to shape the youth to become better and effective public servants in the future,” said Sen. Bam, a co-author and co-sponsor of the measure.

“With its anti-dynasty provision, the SK Reform Act aims to implement genuine reform in the country’s electoral system when it comes to youth representation,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam headed the Senate contingent while South Cotabato Pedro Acharon led the House contingent in the bicameral conference committee.

Other lawmakers who joined the bicameral conference committee were Sens. JV Ejercito, Koko Pimentel, Nancy Binay; Dinagat Rep. Arlene Bag-ao, Cebu Rep. Raul del Mar, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez and Davao del Norte Rep. Anthony del Rosario.

Aside from the anti-dynasty provision, the bicameral conference committee also approved the adjustment of age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

If enacted into law, SK officials are required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The SK Reform Act also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the Sangguniang Kabataan and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

“The LYDC aims to harmonize, broaden and strengthen all programs and initiatives of the local government and non-governmental organizations for the youth sector,” said Sen. Bam, a former student council president and chair of the National Youth Commission.

Furthermore, the ratified version will allow the SK financial empowerment and accountability, where 10% of baranggay funds will be managed by the youth leaders for their projects and programs. They may enter contracts on their own, but will be accountable for all disbursements.

Once ratified by both Houses, the final version of the SK Reform Act will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Aquino’s approval.

Also, National Youth Commission Chairman Gio Tingson lauded the development.

“Legislators have long promised reforms for the youth. This is a concrete delivery of that promised and we thank our champion legislators for their untiring efforts for the Filipino youth,” he said.

Bam: Genuine Electoral Reform within Reach with House Approval of SK Reform Bill

The first genuine electoral reform system in the country is now within reach with the House of Representatives’ approval of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Bill on third and final reading.

“Equipped with an anti-dynasty provision, the SK Reform Bill will implement genuine reform in the country’s electoral system in terms of youth representation,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Youth.

“The measure will help turn the Sangguniang Kabataan as an effective platform for engaging and honing the youth to become better and more effective public servants in the future,” added. Sen. Bam, a co-author and co-sponsor of the measure.

With the approval of the House version, a bicameral conference committee will be held to consolidate the provisions of the two versions. The final version will then be transmitted to Malacanang for President Aquino’s signature.

Last Feb. 9, 2015, the Senate passed the SK Reform Bill with four major main reforms, including the anti-dynasty provision, adjustment of age of SK officers, mandatory leadership training and the creation of local youth development councils.

“The Senate version bars relatives within a second level of consanguinity to all elected and most appointed officials from sitting as SK officials,” Sen. Bam said.

In addition, the SK Reform Bill has adjusted the age limit of SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

If enacted into law, SK officials are required to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

Furthermore, the SK Reform Bill mandates the creation of Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the Sangguniang Kabataan and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

“The LYDC aims to harmonize, broaden and strengthen all programs and initiatives of the local government and non-governmental organizations for the youth sector,” said Sen. Bam, a former student council president and chair of the National Youth Commission.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Commission also welcomed the approval of the SK Reform Bill, saying it will address the prevalence of traditional politics in the country. 

“We welcome this important development.  Through an SK Reform Law, we will have a more participatory, democratic and effective form of youth governance,” said NYC  chairperson Gio Tingson.

Bam on Grace Poe and RESCYouth Act (Interview after Hearing)

On Grace Poe as Possible 2016 LP candidate

 

Right now, dumadaan din sa proseso ang partido. The President has also said na very soon, the party will decide on who the standard bearer will be.

 

I think it’s just right na kausapin ang iba’t ibang tao. Kailangan lang sigurong antabayanan kung ano ang magiging desisyon.

 

As party member, of course, we look at the different processes na kailangan. Very soon. Sooner than you think, lalabas na rin ang final decision of the party.  Ang hanap natin ay iyong best for the country. Ang mahalaga riyan, kung sino ang magpapatuloy ng reporma.

 

Sisiguraduhin na hindi tayo babalik sa napakaraming corruption in the past. We just really need to look at the options and all the alternatives.  Very soon, once this is decided, we can really start moving forward already.

First of all, I think Secretary Mar Roxas is still the presumptive candidate of the party. But palagay ko mahalaga rin na i-explore ang lahat ng possibilities, kasi kung tutuusin may proseso naman iyan, and even sa senatorial slate, all the positions I think, will have to go through the process also.

Ngayon, it’s time to really go and ask all of these people who want to run kung ano ba talaga ang mga plano nila. What do they really want for the country?

 

I think we’re too focused sa personalities. I think ang mahalaga, alamin natin kung ano ba talaga ang mga plano nila para sa ating sa bansa.

 

I don’t think that we’re asking that question. Ano ba ang gusto nilang gawin para sa bansa? Ano ba ang reporma na gusto nilang itulak? Palagay ko, iyon ang kailangang malaman, hindi lang ng partido, ‘di lang ng presidente kundi pati ng taumbayan.

 

We’re less than a year from the elections, people aren’t even asking kung ano ba ang plataporma ng mga presidentiables na ito. Palagay ko mahalaga na malaman natin kung ano ba ang gusto nilang gawin sa bayan at doon tayo magdesisyon.

 

Q: Bakit presumptive candidate si Roxas?

 

The process is still ongoing. So that’s why it’s still presumptive at wala pang final decision ang partido. Of course, he’s someone who I think has been talked about for a long time, obviously, he’s part of that very short list.

 

Q: Hindi pa ba sapat na itapat siya ng partido kay Binay?

 

Palagay ko, ang sagot sa tanong na iyan, mare-resolve iyan in a couple of weeks. The party is still undergoing this process at kapag nakapagdesisyon na talaga ang partido, malalaman natin kung sino ba talaga ang lalaban sa kung kanino.

 

At this point, it’s all speculation. I think ang taumbayan natin, need to start asking the question, ano ba ang repormang gusto nating maitulak, ano ba ang gusto nating baguhin at sino ba ang magpapatupad noon?

 

We’re not asking those questions enough. Sayang naman ang pagkakataon natin  na tanungin iyong mga tanong na iyon.

 

Kasi kung puro Binay ba, si Grace Poe ba o si Mar Roxas ba, tanungin natin kung ano ba ang madadala nila sa ating bayan. Ano ba ang kaya nilang gawin para sa Pilipino?

 

If we start having that discussion, mas magiging mayaman ang diskusyon natin.  Iyon ang palagay ko na mas mahalagang tanong.

 

On inclusion of NYC Commissioner to the NDRRMC

 

We’re hoping na mapasa natin ang RESCYouth Act as soon as possible. Marami na ring activities ang mga kabataan pagdating sa disaster preparedness.

 

Palagay ko naman, there will be little or no opposition to this bill so we’re hoping that we can have this passed soon.

 

Tamang tama na malapit na rin ang rainy season, so palagay ko if we can get this bill passed, we can already include the youth sa planning processes natin sa mga iba’t ibang councils.

 

Kung mapapansin mo ang bill na isinusulong natin, we are adding a representative of the youth in every council sa national and local levels.

 

Ang mga kabataan, very active na sila. Sila rin iyong no. 1 volunteer, sila ang unang-unang pumupunta kapag may rescue, unang-unang kasama sa rehabilitation. Nakita naman natin na kahit sa disaster preparedness, kasama rin sila.

 

Kaya it’s really time na ilagay rin ang mga kabataan sa ranggo ng nagpaplano ng disaster management.

 

All of the resource speakers, I think, supported the bill, even DILG, the local governments that were here, ang Climate Change Commission and of course, the National Youth Commission.

 

I’m hoping that we can pass this bill as soon as possible and magawa na natin iyong probisyon na ang mga kabataan ay mayroong espasyo sa mga council natin na may kinalaman sa disaster management.

 

Sa national will be the chairman of the NYC. On the local level, it will be chosen by the local government units.

 

Right now, ang mga different LGUs natin, katrabaho nila ang mga kabataan but usually as volunteers. We want to raise that participation, gawin nating kasama sa planning process.

Sen. Bam Pushes Passage of SK Reform Bill to Meet Election Deadline

Senator Bam Aquino urges colleagues to pass the measure seeking to reform the current Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), saying it will help shape the country’s youth to become better and more effective public servants in the future.

“It is urgent and important that we reform the Sangguniang Kabataan, as a platform for engaging the youth in the grassroots level, and where the youth will be honed to become better and more effective public servants in the future,” said Aquino.

 Aquino made the pronouncement during his co-sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 2401 or the Youth Development and Empowerment Act of 2014, where his ‘Liga ng Bayaning Kabataan (LBK)’ bill was consolidated.

Aquino pushed for the suspension of the SK elections last year so that needed reforms can be introduced, instead of having it abolished. 

He also actively worked for the passage of the measure in the committee level to meet the deadline by February 2015.

In his speech, Aquino stressed that as a country where half of the population are 15-30 years old, an enabling environment for the youth must be provided for them to participate in nation building.

“The Filipino youth have the innate energy, creativity and innovative ideas that would come up with new solutions to address the age-old problems of the country,” the senator stressed.

Aquino said the measure will harness the youth’s potential as a partner in the development of our country, encourage their active participation in programs and projects of communities and engage them in transparent and accountable governance.

Among the reforms being pushed by the measure is the expansion of age limit, creation of local youth development councils and to ensure more relevant SK programs and projects all over the country.

The measure proposes to expand the age range from 15 to 30 years old, in accordance to Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation Building Act of 1994 and to peg the age of officers between ages 18 to 24.

“The reform in age range will enable a greater number of youth to participate and give officials more independence in their affairs, such as signing contracts, disbursing money and making them more accountable for their actions,” Aquino said.

The bill also pushes for the introduction of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC), a council that will support the Sangguniang Kabataan and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will compose of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

The LYDC is now being implemented in several major cities such as Pasay, Naga and Cebu to encourage the youth to participate LGU-initiated projects.

“We are pushing for the enumeration of clear themes of the programs and projects that can be explored by the LYDC and the SK in formulating their Youth Development Plans, to weed out tokenistic projects for the sake of having programs for the youth,” the senator said.

Aquino hopes that the bill will clarify the relationships between the Sangguniang Kabataan, the National Youth Commission and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“By doing so, we ensure that the programs and policies that they will come up with will truly be relevant and impactful for the sector they are supposed to serve,” he said.

 

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