PROGRAM STATEMENT

“we are committed towards the attainment of an empowered youth sector that will promote and nurture a democratic, just and humane society,

we shall pursue an environment that will ensure the economic, social, physical and political empowerment of the youth sector,

thus seek channels to develop the youth sector’s policy advocacy capability, to effect the sector’s direct and substantive participation in both formal and alternative venues of decision and policy-making. “

AGENDA:

I. Equality of Access to Quality, Relevant and Responsive Education.

 Work for increased government budget allocations for all levels of education e.g. free elementary and secondary education, subsidized tertiary education, teachers’ development training’s, increased provision on textbooks, equipment and facilities.

 Work for the establishment of specialized, provincial-based state colleges/institutes that will respond to the actual needs and resources of the area.

 Work for the institutionalization of a genuine socialize tuition fee scheme to improve access of the poor to quality tertiary education.

 Work for the development of learning and teaching methods and materials that suit the vision of gender equality, cultures and social beliefs.

 Push for the expansion of the dual training system into gender-sensitive skills training that will allow basic education while acquiring relevant training and experience.

 Work for the provision and implementation of policies and programs relevant to the education and training needs of special youths.

 Work for the improvement of government-run skills training program to focus equally on trade and agricultural skills training and expansion to rural communities.

 Push for the creation of a multi-sectoral council which will regularly review tuition fee increases, curriculum and other policies affecting the educational system.

 Push for the passage of the Magna Carta of Students.

 Repeal Education Act of 1982 Section 42.

 Push for the review and eventual phase out of irrelevant subjects in school curriculum.

 Monitor and reject anti-poor, anti-students and other discriminatory school policies e.g. admittance of pregnant and gay students, formation of student political parties and fraternities.
II. Equality on Economic and Employment Opportunity.

 Work for the improvement in the matching between education and actual jobs to encourage enrollment and degree completion in labor-market friendly fields of study.

 Work for the linkage networking between the industry and schools to effectively carry out career guidance.

 Work for the provision of technical and financial support to small and medium-scale enterprises in both urban and rural areas to create more employment opportunities.

 Work for the development of an updating skills training programs to ensure that graduates have the existing skills to cope with existing labor-market demands.

 Work for the development of an effective partnership with the private sector and training institutions to produce cooperative-based activities.

 Work for a worker-friendly information structures so that young workers can become better users of government services.

III. Provision of Basic Services.

 Work for the establishment/strengthening of guidance or crisis centers for distressed and violated youths.

 Push for the full implementation of laws against sexual harassment.

 Push for the full and strict enforcement of labor standards e.g. freedom of association and right to collective bargaining.

 Push for the strict enforcement on the ban on child labor.

 Push to end any forms of gender-based discrimination and labor contractualization.

 Work for the adoption of policies to reduce exploitation of young OCW's by foreign employers.

 Push for stiffer penalties on illegal recruiters and violators of overseas employment regulations.

 Work for diverse opportunities for the youth’s healthy expression of energies and creativity in community development.

 Push for the provision of employment and/or cooperative livelihood projects towards becoming economically self-reliant both in the rural and urban.

 Work for the vigorous and massive public education/awareness on the understanding of the special youth.

 Work for the provision of adequate support to the family as a basic unit of society.

 Monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, Ancestral Domain Law, Day Care Law, and the Law to protect Children against Abuse.

 Push for the passage of the Fisheries Code and Irrigation Act.

 Support the coconut farmers in their struggle to claim the coconut levy fund.

 Monitor the strict implementation of the law prohibiting hospitals to reject patients who cannot afford to pay deposits.

 Work for an increased budgetary allocation for DOH’s direct health service programs.

 Work for the creation of Family Court.

IV. Youth’s Political Participation.

 Work for the reinvigoration and strengthening of youth participation in governance through the Sangguniang Kabataan.

 Work for the full protection of the youths’ rights to association, to assembly, to seek redress etc.

 Push for the actual implementation of the Barangay Code provision creating a Barangay Development Council (BDC).

 Monitor and ensure LGU compliance of Local Government Code’s provisions on PO/NGO participation in LGU affairs especially in Local Special Bodies.

 Implement effective and substantive consultation processes involving youth groups on bills that will significantly affect the youth sector.

 Pursue and support grassroots youth and sectoral organizations’ accessing of funds/resources committed for social development programs.

 Work for budgetary allocations for the conduct of capability building programs and activities.

V. Political and Electoral Reforms.

 Push for the enactment of the COMELEC Modernization Bill.

 Work for the enactment of the law on absentee voting while at the same time taking all protective measures to preserve the sanctity of the ballot.

 Push for the Enabling Law for the immediate conduct of sectoral elections in LGU's as provided for by the Local Government Code.

 Work for intensification of voters’ education by COMELEC and PO's/NGO's and

 Actively advocate for new and authentic politics based on issues and programs.