Senate Difice of the seer"ctarp ) TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session JAN 27 P1:59 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1700 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING MIGRANT FILIPINO YOUTH DESKS IN ALL PHILIPPINE EMBASSIES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines is known for out-migration and there is significant involvement of Filipino youth in this cross-border phenomenon. Migration, instead of being merely an option, has started to become a livelihood strategy for a significant number of Filipino families. Based on the 2018 National Migration Survey, about 55 percent of Filipinos aged 15 and over have moved to or resided in another city, municipality, province, region, or country for three months or more since birth. Forty-nine percent (49%) moved within the country or internal migrants, three percent moved to/from another country or international migrants, and four percent were both internal and international migrants. While it may open opportunities to Filipino youth, a 2016 study shows that the migration process adversely affects young people when confronted with social discrimination due to migration status, ethnicity, and religion. Further, overseas migration of parents from the Philippines has resulted in increasing numbers of long- term separations of parents from each other and from their children. The above-cited vulnerabilities of the Filipino youth may be prevented and migration will provide a positive impact if the State shall intervene in the midst of the process. The State should have a system wherein Filipino youth shall have access to basic social services that will address their issues relating to health, risks associated
with sexual and reproductive health, and lack or loss of social protection once the migration process is initiated. There are lots of concerns that the State must address relating to Migrant Filipino Youth such as susceptibility to trafficking abuse, wage arrears, forced labor, informal employment, and underage domestic workers. This is especially true among undocumented youth migrants. Furthermore, among Filipino children born and raised abroad or with biracial lineage, identity crisis is a frequent issue. It should be noted that the youth have unique needs and age-specific problems such as discrimination, difficulty obtaining Philippine documents, and difficulty participating in socio-political activities, among others. The youth migrant sector has also received limited attention relative to gender, trafficking, and worker-related issues. This further emphasizes the need to ensure that there is a centralized program that handles and addresses youth migrants' concerns. Currently, no institutionalized program addresses this dilemma, whereas, one of the agenda statements of the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2017-2022 under Global Mobility is "for overseas Filipino youth to strengthen their ties with the Philippines." This proposed bill seeks to establish Migrant Filipino Youth Desks in all Philippine embassies abroad. These desks will develop programs to protect and promote the safety, security, and welfare of the MFYs. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR poc
Senate Office of the Scurtare TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JAN 27 P1:59 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1700 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING MIGRANT FILIPINO YOUTH DESKS IN ALL PHILIPPINE EMBASSIES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Migrant Filipino Youth
Desks Act. "
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth
in nation-building 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. It is also the policy of the State to provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of the human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide preventive measures and legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection. The State further declares the inculcation in the youth of patriotism, nationalism 12 and other basic desirable values, belief in the sanctity of life and human dignity of the human person, a conviction for the strength and unity of the family, and adherence to truth and justice.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall mean:
a) Desks- refer to the designated area and personnel in Philippine Embassies which serves the youth. b) Interventions - refer to programs, policies, and frameworks designed to address grievances and cater to the sociocultural, psychosocial, and consular needs of MYF. C) Migrant Filipino Youth (MYF) - are Filipino citizens aged 15-30 years old who are residing in foreign countries permanently or temporarily for various intents and purposes such as employment, education, and family reunification. d) Philippine Embassies (PE) - are the principal representatives of the Philippine Government in the conduct of its relations with the government of foreign countries which the former has mutual agreements with.
Sec. 4. Coverage - This Act shall apply to all migrant Filipino youth.
Sec. 5. Nature of Migrant Filipino Youth Desks - The Migrant Filipino Desks are
assistance and information desks established in the PEs which shall cater to the needs of migrant Filipino youth regardless of age, religion, disability, gender orientation, and educational attainment, among others.
Sec. 6. Duties and Functions. - The youth desks shall have the following duties
and functions: a) Develop programs for the protection and promotion of the safety, security and welfare of the MFYs; b) Provide interventions that will help instill patriotism and nationalism among the MFY through socio-cultural programs and heritage introduction activities; c) Establish a scheme of recording accurate data and information of documented and undocumented MFYs necessary for policy and program development; d) Provide counseling and legal services for the MFYs; e) Monitor situations, circumstances, and activities affecting MFYs; and f) Perform other duties and functions deemed necessary.
Sec. 7. MFY Desk Officer. - There shall be a created position of MFY Desk
2 Officer who shall be primarily responsible for the administration and implementation 3 of the duties and functions of the desks, whose qualifications, salary, and benefits shall be determined accordingly subject to rules and regulations set by the Civil Service 5 Commission and other related agencies.
Sec. 8. Preparation. - The Department of Foreign Affairs shall conduct a study
to identify Migrant Filipino Youth population and issues, and develop an action plan to address issues and basic needs of MFYs.
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Foreign
10 Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, and National Youth Commission shall within 11 120 days after the approval of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provision of this Act.
Sec. 10. Appropriations - The DFA shall allocate funds chargeable against their
General Fund and subsequently shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for 15 the operations and implementation of this Act.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect other provisions not affected thereby.
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
rules, and regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,