12th National Youth Parliament

The 12^th National Youth Parliament

From the National Youth Commission Facebook page, ASEC Cardema at the middle. 

The 12^th National Youth Parliament was held in October 21-25, 2018 at the Insular Hotel at Davao City. This gathering was sponsored by the national government. The National Youth Commission is the one who handles the event. It’s agenda is to promote their plans regarding the youth from 2017-2022. It simulates a session in the house of representatives. There are sub committees in the event such as health, peace and order, environment, education, economic development, active citizenship, governance, global mobility, social inclusion and equity. The parliament gathers SK leaders and representation from different sectors such as social workers from DSWD, representatives from the Indigenous People, Person with Disability, and Agricultural Training Institute.

National Delegates on Session

The event is used to express all of the concerns regarding the SK in the Barangay level, City Level and Provincial Level. In addition to that national issues such as poverty and lack of adequate educational programs are discussed because of the increasing number of out of school youth. In addition lack of awareness of social inclusion for persons with special needs is a concern due to growing need of this sector. Social inclusion should be prevalent in all areas of the government in transportation, economic development, education, local government unit, health and employment. A number of person with Autism entering adulthood is a need moving forward that has to be legalized and be given mandate by law given to liberty and freedom to access services.

The presiding officer during the National Youth parliament

Three days of the parliament had put a toll in the delegates due to the tireless efforts due the plenary sessions. During the first day there are elected officials that constitutes the body that governs the session. Next are the agendas on what the current administration is pushing such as the drive to curb out criminality, corruption and drugs. There was also the pinning ceremony and three sessions of the bills to be proposed. The sessions had 11 bills submitted by the respective committees and more than 200 individual bills turned over in the respective agencies. The culmination of the event happened in the night of October 24, 2018 where there are awards of the most innovative bills (individually of course) and the giving of certificates. There was a free dinner which is optional at Grand Men Seng Hotel by the City Mayor and trip within the city at the 25^th of October.  This is indeed a successful event for individuals because it addresses the need of a nation that needs inclusive development.