Senate Difice of the Seculara TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 FEB 23 P2:30 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1882 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY AND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines, as an archipelagic nation located in a region heavily affected by climate change and environmental degradation, has been facing escalating environmental challenges. It has become of paramount importance to empower the younger generation to actively engage in environmental advocacy and sustainable practices, as they will be most affected in the future. This measure seeks to establish a National Youth Environmental Advocacy and Sustainability Program (NYEASP) that aims to create a platform for young Filipinos to participate in environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts. This platform will nurture the youth's interest in environmental sustainability, promote awareness about the importance of responsible natural resource management, and harness the collective power of our youth to build a more resilient nation. The NYEASP envisions to create a nationwide network of environmentally conscious Filipinos who are willing to take concrete actions and volunteer their time and talent for the betterment of the environment. This bill represents an investment not only in the environment, but in the capabilities and potential of the Filipino youth. It is our hope that collectively, they will lead our nation towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the generations to come. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR
Difier of the shooT TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 FEB 23 P2:30 SENATE 1882 RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY AND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Declaration of Policy - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth
2 in nation-building and their potential to contribute to environmental protection, 3 conservation, and sustainable development; thus, the State shall involve young 4 Filipinos in environmental issues and empower them through various modes of 5 participation in environmental advocacy and sustainable practices.
Sec. 2. National Youth Environmental Advocacy and Sustainability Program -
7 There is hereby established a National Youth Environmental Advocacy and 8 Sustainability Program (NYEASP) under the supervision of the Department of 9 Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the National 11 Youth Commission (NYC).
Sec. 3. Program Components - The NYEASP shall consist of the following
13 components: a) Education and Training - Develop and implement comprehensive and age appropriate environmental education and training programs in primary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions, which shall include
workshops, seminars, webinars, and conferences on environmental advocacy and sustainable practices. b) Environmental Clubs - Establishment and strengthening of environmental clubs in schools nationwide, promoting hands-on implementation and monitoring of environmental and sustainable projects. c) Youth Environmental Ambassadorship - Creation of Youth Environmental Ambassadors who shall undergo specialized training and be responsible for spearheading environmental campaigns in their respective schools, communities, or regions. d) Community Outreach Programs - Organization of community outreach programs such as clean-up drives, tree planting, recycling initiatives, and other environment-related projects, allowing young Filipinos to be actively involved in their localities' efforts towards sustainability. e) Annual National Youth Environmental Summit - Conducting an annual summit where youth participants from different regions will convene, participate in capacity building workshops, collaborate on joint projects, and raise environmental concerns for policy action.
Sec. 4. Incentive and Recognition Program - The DENR, in coordination with
the NYC, shall establish an efficient incentive and recognition system to encourage 20 youth participation and acknowledge exceptional efforts, projects, or initiatives in environmental activism and sustainable practices.
Sec. 5. Funding. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current year's allocations of the DENR. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continuous implementation of the NYEASP shall be included in the agency's annual budget under the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR, in consultation with
27 the other agencies involved, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 28 carry out the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be
30 declared unconstitutional or invalid and shall not have the effect of nullifying other
1 portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still 2 subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
4 memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent 5 with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall be take effect fifteen (15) days after
7 its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,