Supplemental Module 1:

Citizen Participation in Election

What is the right of suffrage?

Suffrage is the human right to vote and, for the Philippines, is indicated in three documents: the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
and the Philippine Constitution. They all call for universality of the right; equality in access to public
service; and secrecy of votes. The right is exercised during elections, and as a citizen-voter, you are
entitled to free and informed choice on whom to vote. Every political choice and decision you make will
determine the kind of government that will serve the country

How is suffrage a mechanism for political participation?

The Constitution guarantees that we are a sovereign people, where all government authority comes
from. Sovereignty or the power to govern is exercised directly through public officials elected by people.
The will of the people, then is best expressed in clean, orderly and honest elections.

Who are qualified to vote in the Philippine elections?

1. Citizens of the Philippines

2. 18 years old and above on the day of elections
3. A resident of the Philippines for one year and in the city or municipality wherein he proposes to vote
for at least six months before the election
4 Those not disqualified by law

Under the Overseas Absentee Voting Law

1. Filipino citizens abroad
2. 18 years old and above on the day of elections
3. Immigrants with affidavit of intent to resume residence in the Philippines
4 Permanent residents with affidavits of intent to resume residence in the Philippines

1960 Pre Martial Law

1970 Martial law
1972 Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial law. The 1935 Constitution was scrapped, an Interim Batasang
Pambansa was created and a new (1973) Constitution was adopted
1978 Martial Law Period. Election for the interim Batasang Pambansa. Kilusang bagong Lipunan (KBL)
became the administration paty. The election was claimed to be towards restoration of old political
order but Marcos’ purpose was to gain legitimacy for his unpopular administration to create a rubber
stamp legislature. The exercise defied democratic procedures, and was characterized by rampant
electoral manipulation done by Marcos government to ensure victory.
1980
1983 Assassination of Ninoy Aquino
1986 Snap election characterized by election manipulation and irregularities. These and the worsening
social and political order resulted in the EDSA revolution which led to collapse of KBL, ouster of Marcos
and installation of Cory Aquino as President.
1987-1988 Aquino’s program of bringing back democracy and political stability.
3 major electoral exercises: national plebiscite for the approval of the 1987 Constitution; election of
members of congress; and local elections in 1988. He the 1987 Constitution provided for a multi-party
system.

1990
1992 First presidential elections under the 1987 constitution. Main campaign issue was anti-trapo or
traditional politics. Fidel Ramos won as president and Joseph “erap” Estrada as vice.
1995 congressional and local election; Dagdag-bawas (Subtract and Add votes from one candidate to
another) as a form of fraud was widely practiced.
1998 Erap won the presidency with a popular support of 28%. The first party list election was held

2000 An impeachment case against Erap was filed

2001 EDSA Dos or a repeat of the 1986 People Power ousted Erap and Gloria Macapagal-aroyo became
the New president.

2010 The Presidency of Benigno Aquino III, also known as the Benigno Aquino III administration and the
Noynoy Aquino administration, began at noon on June 30, 2010, when he became the fifteenth
President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

2016-present. Duterte is the first president from Mindanao and the oldest person to be elected
president of the Philippines. He is also the first Philippine president to have worked in the three
branches of the government. Duterte was the mayor of Davao City at the time of his 2016 presidential
election victory, garnering over 16 million votes or about 39% of total votes, beating his closest rival by
over 6.6 million votes. Duterte's approval rating has been relatively high throughout his presidency
despite criticism and international opposition to his anti-narcotics drive.

Who are disqualified to vote in the Philippine elections?

The following are disqualified (by law) from voting

1. Person sentenced to be imprisoned for not less than one year
2. Person found to have committed rebellion, sedition, violation of the anti- subversion and firearms
laws, or any crime against national security or involving disloyalty to the government
3. Insane or incompetent person

What are the powers and functions of the national and local officials whom we vote for?

Level Executive Legislative

National Level President (Vise President) 1 12 senators
District Representatives of 1 party list group
Congressman/woman
Provincial Level Governor Vise Governor-Sanguniang
Panlalawigan Members
 Municipality/City Level City/Municipality Mayor City/Municipality Vice Mayor
Members of the Sanguniang
Panlungsod (City
counselors/Sanguniang Bayan
(Municipal counselors)
Barangay Level Punong Barangay PB members of the sanguniang
barangay (Barangay Kagawad
and sanguniang kabataan chair)
Powers and Functions Control all the executive Stature making, constitution
departments and all making and amending of
implementing agencies of the constitution
government
Appointment of high officials in Appropriations/ financial
the government (head of the functions
executive department/cabinet Oversight functions
member, ambassadors, public
ministers, consuls, officers of
armed forces)
Seeing to the execution and Informational or the power to
implementation of laws and condemn inquiries in aid of
policies legislation

How do the legislative and executive interact in the aw-making process?

In the legislative process, the President can either approve or veto a law passed by Congress. It would
require two-thirds (2/3) vote by the legislative body to finally pass the vetoed version into law. At the
local level, chief executives can also veto any ordinance on the ground that it is prejudicial to the public.
In turn, the Sanggunian or the local legislative body can override the veto, also by two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the whole Sanggunian.

How do Filipino voters vote?

A2003 update study on voting behavior looks at how Filipino voters choose their candidates:
1. Characteristics of the candidate that can be of benefit to the voter of characteristic such as madaling
lapitan, malinis na pagkatao, matulungn sa nangangailangan, nagtataguyod ng programang
pangkaunlaran
2. Political machinery which includes the political party, being in the opposition, and good campaign
strategies
3. Popularity or being a celebrity or endorsed by a celebrity
4. Endorsement of network and organizations such as the family, the church and the group leaders

What election practices and irregularities should the citizens watch out for?

Bribery, intimidation, and various forms of cheating, particularly:

1. Registering in several names and/or several precincts
2. Vote-buying/vote-selling/paid not to vote;
3. Flying voters;
4. Voting in the name of other persons/dead persons or relatives;
5. Threat to supporters, voters and members of election inspectors
6. Landzaderal ballot-switching and ballot box-snatching;
7. Marking ballot and other election documents to make it invalid;
8. Dagdag-bawas during counting and canvassing

The Election Process

1. Registration Day
2. Revision Day
3. List of Voters
4. Casting of Votes
S. Counting of Votes
6. Preparation of Electoral Returns and
Other Reports
7. Distribution of Election Returns
a. Board of Canvassers (for President and Vice-Presidents)
b. Board of Canvassers (for Senators)
c. Board of Canvassers
8. Proclamation of Winning Candidates

What are the efforts to modernize election process in the Philippines?

Republic Act of 8436 or the Election Modernization Act of 1997 calls for the use of automated
election system in the country as early as May 1998 elections. This system will make use of appropriate
technology for voting and electronic devices to count and canvass votes.
Automated election had its debut in the Philippines in 2010.

Implementation of RA 8436 through COMELEC Resolution 02-0170 (Phases of Modernization)

Phase 1: Voter Registration and Validation PCOS System
Phase 2: Automated Counting and 077 Canvassing Machine ballot box
Phase 3: Electronic Transmission of Election Results
Aside from voting in elections, how can 1, as a citizen-voter, participate in political affairs?

1. Initiative and Referendum. Through the system of initiative and referendum, the people can directly
propose, enact, and reject laws at the local level.
Also through initiative, citizens may directly propose amendments to the Constitution by a
petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters, where 3% of registered voters in each
legislative district is represented.
2. Plebiscite. Through plebiscites, the people approve or reject the call for a constitutional convention to
propose changes to the Constitution, approve or reject proposed changes in the Constitution and, at the
local level, express their will on certain local issues.
3. Sectoral Representation. The party-list system of representation givers sectors the chance to be
represented in Congress together with our Congressmen/women. Under this system, voters support a
sectoral party or organization or coalition and its issues and programs.
The Constitution and the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) alow for representation of sectors
in the local legislature or sanggunian.
4. Local Special Bodies. Ordinary citizens are called to sit in local special bodies such as the local health
boards, school boards, peace and order councils and development councils for consultation.
5. Barangay Assembly. A barangay assembly (assembly of all residents, 1 years old and above, of the
barangay) meets to discuss the activities an finances of the Sangguniang Barangay and matters affecting
the barangay.
The assembly has the power to hear and judge the report of Sanggunians Barangays (SB)
performance. It can also recommend matters for legislation by SB and decide on the adoption of
initiative to propose, enact or reject ordinances.
6. Absentee Voting System. Republic Act 9189 or the Overseas Absentee Voting Law provides for a
system, which allows qualified Filipinos abroad to vote in national elections in the Philippines.

What makes a good government, good leaders and good citizen-voters?

1. A good government is one that engages citizen participation and is responsive to the needs of the
people.
2. Good leaders are those who uphold accountability to the people and promote transparent and
people-oriented programs.
3. Good citizen-voters are those who value their right of suffrage as to keep themselves informed,
involved and vigilant.

What are some action points for citizen-voters in exercising the right of suffrage?
Prepare to exercise the right of suffrage and the right to an, informed and free choice.
1. Register during the period allotted for voter registration.
2. Be informed of the issues, platform and personalities of the political candidates.
3. Set specific guidelines in choosing government leaders in terms of the candidate's social affiliations
and interests, competence, foremost, the interest and welfare of the citizens in their program of
government. This process can be used to remind and hold the elected leaders accountable to the
promises made during the campaign.

During Elections
1. Vote according to your informed conscience.
2. Protect the integrity of your own vote from any undue influence.
3. Volunteer in organizations that work for clean and peaceful elections.
4. Watch out for instances of cheating in the elections and inform authorities and the rest of the
electorate of such activities.

After Elections
1. Be vigilant in the counting and canvassing of votes.
2. Attend consultations and public hearings, and participate in local special bodies.
3. Legislative advocacy-a process where citizens talk with the law makers and other implementers in the
government to ensure that the concerns and welfare of the general public are included in the discussion
and making of laws.
4. The citizen voter can also engage in the political and electoral process other ways such as:
a. making views known to the elected representatives;
b. supporting/campaigning for a political party, candidate or party list group;
c. supporting initiatives of civil society organization to ensure honest and peaceful elections; and
d. running for office.
 Supplemental Module 2:
Self-awareness, Values Development and Servant Leadership

In assuming the role of citizens, an essential requisite is the improvement of one's characteristics and
personality to enable individuals to become an asset to the family, community and the nation as a
whole. In so doing, defining self-concept is fundamental step in the process. Your image of who you are
is called self-concept. As cited by Chauhan (2002), it is composed of your feelings and thoughts about
your strengths and weaknesses, your abilities and limitations. Your self-concept develops from three
sources: 1. Other’s images; 2. social comparisons; and 3. one's interpretations and evaluations as
depicted in the illustration below:

The Concept of Self-Awareness

Deepening on self-concept development increases your self-awareness. The more you understand why
you view yourself as you do, the better you will understand who you are. Gaining self-awareness may be
aided by understanding the Johari Window The Johari window explains that there are four selves that
represent a person, to wit:

1. The Open Self. This represents all the information, behaviors, attitudes, feelings, desires, motivations,
ideas and so on, that you know about yourself and that others know about you.

2. The Blind Self. This represents information about yourself that others know but you do not.

3. The Unknown Self. This represents those parts of yourself about which neither you nor others know.

4. The Hidden Self. This contains all that you know of yourself but keep hidden from others.

Known to Self Not Known to Self

Known to other Open Self Blind self
Not Known to others Hidden self Unknown Self
Over disclosers tell all, keep nothing hidden about themselves or others.

Under disclosers tell nothing. They will talk about you but not about themselves.

Self-awareness opens doors to spiritual and personal growth. We have all the answers to the questions
about our lives and what we have to do is to learn how we can have an access to our wisdom.

It begins with self-awareness by paying attention to our many senses, thoughts, feelings and intuition.
We should go deep into our emotions to tap their sources. We should see our thinking and how it
creates our reality. Then we can discover our deepest essence.

Increasing our level of self-awareness therefore, empowers us to make different choices. Not that it will
automatically do things differently. After all, some habits can be avoided. But over time, as we build up
these levels of catching ourselves doing wrong things, we will have the choices to alter our behavior,
eventually, before the next decision-making comes.

So, in order to assess what we do, we must first become aware of where we place our inner intention,
what we are feeling and thinking about. The more frequently we do this, the more natural and habitual
it will become, and the more we will give ourselves the chance to truly change our behavior.

What is Self-awareness?

According to Goleman, perhaps the most important emotional competence is self-awareness- knowing
one's internal states, preferences, resources and institutions

Another psychotherapist puts it as "bringing to the conscious mind our understanding of the compulsion
that pushes us around.

Marilyn vos Savant, simply calls it, "the art of waking up, or realizing what you really are and why you do
the things you do, in the way you do them.

The following poem illustrates the continuing search of man for himself: (Palispis).
Assess how you picture out yourself in this concern.

Who Am 1?

Who am I? Who am I?

My clothes? My look? My mode?

Am I just a thing?

No!

Am I my parents? Brothers? Friends?

Am I they?

I think I am different from them

Just who am 1? Am l my name?

My face? My bones? My breath?

My feelings? My thoughts? And memory?

Each of them is part of me.

But not me.

Who am I really? What is the truth?

I'm alive, enthusiastic, free and unique

Above all, like God, I live.

All this I am-my innermost being.

Who am I? Who am 1?

What are the key areas of self-awareness?

Human beings are complex and diverse. To become self-aware, we should develop an understanding of
ourselves in many areas which includes the following:

1. Personality. An understanding of our personality can help us find situations in which we will
thrive/survive, and help us avoid situations in which we will experience too much stress.

2. Values. Values are qualities that we cherish as reference for our actions and behaviors in particular
situations.

3. Habits. These are the behaviors that we repeat routinely and often do automatically. Although we
would like to use them to help us interact effectively with and manage others, we can probably identify
at least one of our habits that decrease our effectiveness.

4. Needs. (connect Maslow's hierarchy of needs and other psycholoo psychological needs) Needs cause
motivation, and when needs areol tages satisfied, they can cause frustration, conflict and stress. One of
the advantages of knowing which needs exert the strongest influence in our own behaviors is the ability
to understand how they affect our interpersonal relationships,

5. Emotions. Understanding our own feelings, what cause them, and how they make an impact on our
thoughts and actions are indications of emotional self-awareness.

How does Self-awareness make an individual more effective?

Self-awareness helps individuals identify gaps that promote skills development.

Identifying these gaps, the following can be improved and enhanced:

1. skills development;

2. knowing one's strengths and weakness;

3. developing intuitive decision-making skills;

4 stress management-our coping with stress effectively;

S. self-motivation; and

6. leadership

We can become more self-aware by using or applying the following means:

1. seeking feedback from the people who know us;

2. completing self-assessment surveys like questionnaires; and

3. hiring an expert like professional counselor or executive coach.

What are Human Values?

Human values give worthiness and respect to life. The five human values are righteousness, peace, love,
truth and non-violence. These elevate the individual as well as the society of which one is a part.

Understanding Filipino Values

Values are often associated with what an individual believes that he had acquired and nurtured in life.

Horacio de la Costa S. J. (in Bonoan, 1971), a historian, wrote on the principles and values embodied in
the Filipino national tradition which were fashioned by Filipinos who viewed the culture and society
from within and not from without. This Filipino national tradition is composed of:

1. Pagsasarili or the principle of self-reliance which means to be oneself, to be a person in his own right,
to be able to make up his mind, and to do this thing. It also connotes the concept of private property
and the wider distribution of property, so that every Filipino will have the means to develop himself as a
responsible human being.

2. Pakikisama, or sharing with one's fellow both the burdens as well as the rewards of an activity. Thus,
there is the equitable sharing of goods and services among all who help in their production. The ideal is
to share, to have the give-and-take that goes with living together in a society, whether in the family or
local community organization.

3. Pagkakaisa or national unity. This is brought about through a process of a free discussion and the
exercise of a certain reasonableness in building an articulate national community.

4. Pagkabayani. The essence is patriotism or the total dedication to the nation and the readiness to put
the common good of the nation above the private interest, whether of one's own person, group or class.

5. Pakikipagkapwa-tao, or human solidarity. This refers to the dedication to one's own nation, so as to
enable one to participate on free and equal terms.

Other Intermediate Values Related to Socialization

1. Smooth Interpersonal Relations (SIR). Smooth interpersonal relations or SIR, in short, connotes the
facility of getting along with others so as to avoid outward signs of conflicts, even under difficult
circumstances (Lynch 1970:10).

a. Pakikisama is the mechanism used to maintain SIR, the use of the go- between, and euphemism. It is
the folk concept of good human relations and implies giving in or yielding to the wish of the majority
even if it contradicts one's own ideas. According to Randolf David (1997). Pakikisama is an important and
highly valued quality.
b. Reciprocity or Utang na Loob which is another aspect of SIR is a universal form of behavior. It is a
principle where every service received, olicited or not, demands a return, the nature and proportion of
the return determined by the relative status of the parties involved and the kind of exchange at issue
(Hollnsteiner, 1970:65).

2. Closeness and Security in the Family. A much vaunted trait in the Filipino society is the so-called close
family ties or family solidarity. This is one of the values discerned by Bulatao (1966:26) in his study of
groups of Filipino workers. The family is seen as a defense against a hostile world and a unit where one
can turn to in case he has a serious problem. A prodigal son or daughter can readily return and be
welcomed with open arms. From infancy to old age, a pattern of interdependence with family members
in economic, social, spiritual and emotional aspects is developed. Emphasis is placed on loyalty and
support. Older children must make sacrifices for the young ones. In old age, the children serve as some
kind of a social security system. The family is a stable unit for security and support. The members stick
together and reside near each other, if possible. It was only in recent years that members of some
families left for other countries in search for greener pastures. A strong family tie is a factor for the kind
of leaders follow close on the heels of their elders to continue their wealth, if not the political power.
The super ordination of the family over the concern for the common interests and good can lead to
nepotism.

3. Respect for elders. A value inculcated early in the socialization process. Children are taught to kiss the
hands of their parents and other kin or made to do what is commonly called "bless. Children are made
to say po or "opo in talking with elders, although this practice is now waning. Title of respects like
"Mang' or "Aling" or "Kıuya', "Manang or "Ate" abound in the Filipino languages. The essence of respect
for elders is obedience. Studies of child rearing practices, (Lagmay, 1983: S5, Mendez, et al. 1984-27)
show that obedience is a noteworthy behavior pattern developed among the children by incentives such
as praise and the giving of money and other material traits.

4. Personalism. In personalism, major importance is attached to the persona factor, which ensures
intimacy, warmth and friendship in getting thing done. Kinship and friendship play a crucial role in the
reciprocal relation if between interacting parties. Bonifacio (1974) points out that personalism rooted in
our basic and moral commitment to family and kin which extends to compadres (ritual kin in baptism,
confirmation or marriage), neighbors, friends, or even suki (a regular customer or patron).

5. Hospitality. Foreigners who come to our country often remark about Filipino hospitality. This is
shown in our generosity and kindness in treating our visitors are lavishly entertained in parties and
fiestas. We go out of our way to entertain our guests. We accommodate them, make them feel at
home, and share what we have with them.

6. Patient Suffering or Pagtitis. It is shown in the attitude that certain frustrating forces whether
poverty, injustice, sickness, or anything else are too powerful to be overcome (Bulatao, 1962:78).

7. Panindigan. With the emphasis on Filipino indigeneousness, Enriquez (1977:3) initiated a new way of
looking at Filipino values, which truly represent the Filipino culture. Commitment and conviction
approximate the value panindigan. Subsumed in panindigan are respect and concern (paggalang at
pagmamalasakit), helping in times of crisis or distress (pagdamay), understanding the limitation of
others (pagpuno sa kakulangan), sensitivity and regards for others, rapport and acceptance, and human
concern (pakikipagkapuwa).
As man in his finite world is repeatedly forced to cope with the same object, the repeatedly evoked
cognitions, feelings and response disposition become unified into unified and enduring system for man
is an organizing and conserving animal. This entire "package" of particular beliefs, feelings, and response
tendencies Is henceforth always there, on the ready whenever the individual is confronted by
appropriate object. In other words, he now has an attitude towards the object. And as the individual
acquires more and more attitudes as he "assimilates" more and more objects in his world his
improvisations towards these objects and his fresh examinations and interpretations of them decrease.
His actions become stereo typed, predictable and consistent and social life becomes possible. The social
actions of the individual reflect his attitudes enduring systems of positive or negative evaluations,
emotional feelings, and pro or co action tendencies with respect to social object. Attitudes differ in their
social action according to their primary characteristics (Krech, Crutchfield, and Ballachey, 1962).

Study Guide

1. What is the importance of self-awareness and values development in socialization?

2. Make an assessment of your life. What are the various forces that have contribute to your self -
development?

3. Analyze the conversation among different members of your family for a week. Take down these
conversations. What values are shown in them?
Supplemental Module 3:

The Youth For Sustainable Development

"The kind of change required by sustainability implicates each community, each household, each
individual. Successful solutions to problems at this level of society will need to be rooted in the cultural
specificity of the town or region if the people are to be supportive of and involved in such change."

UNESCO-EPD (1997) Educating for a Sustainable Future

In the end, sustainable development will be made at the local community level. All the other changes in
favor of sustainability - by business, by national governments and by international agencies help create
the conditions that facilitate action for sustainable development at the local level by individuals,
families, schools, hospitals, workplaces and neighborhoods.

As a result, all over the world people are working together to build a sustainable future at the local level.
The focus on the actions being taken by local governments and their citizens to make their communities
sustainable particularly that of educating and empowering the young as in the our country's National
Service Training Program. These actions are the local community version of Agenda 21 and, thus, are
called Local Agenda 21 initiatives.

This is so because the youth comprise nearly 30 percent of the world's population. The involvement of
today's youth in environment and development decision-making and in the implementation of program
is critical to the long-term success of Agenda 21.

Advancing the role of youth and actively involving them in the protection of the environment and the
promotion of economic and social development.

It is imperative that youth shall proactively participate in all relevant levels of decision-making processes
because it affects their lives today and has implications for their futures. In addition to their intellectual
contribution and their ability to mobilize support, they bring unique perspectives that need to be taken
into account. Numerous actions and recommendations have been proposed to ensure that youth are
provided a secure and healthy future, including an environment of quality, improved standards of living
and access to education and employment. These issues need to be addressed in development planning.

Objectives of Development Planning

1. Each country should, in consultation with its youth communities, establish a process to promote
dialogue between the youth community and Government at all levels and to establish mechanisms that
permit youth access to information and provide them with the opportunity to present their perspectives
on government decisions, including the implementation of Agenda 21

2. Each country, by the year 2000, should ensure that more than 50 percent of its youth, gender
balanced, are enrolled in or have access to appropriate secondary education or equivalent educational
or vocational training programs by increasing participation and access rates on an annual basis.
3. Each country should undertake initiatives aimed at reducing current levels of youth unemployment,
particularly where they are disproportionately high in comparison to the overall unemployment rate.

4. Each country and the United Nations should support the promotion and creation of mechanisms to
involve youth representation in all United Nations processes in order to influence those processes.

5. Each country should combat human rights abuses against young people particularly young women
and girls, and should consider providing all youth with legal protection, skills, opportunities and the
support necessary o them to fulfill their personal, economic and social aspirations and potentials

In the Philippines, with the NSTP, the youth are trained to become civic conscious and defense prepared
individuals towards national development. This mechanism is attuned to the medium-term development
plan crafted to support the initiatives tor the Filipino youth.

Succinctly, the central theme of the youth development plan could be expressed, to wit:

"Young Filipinos, in general, feel that they are adequately involved in decisions that affect their lives. The
youth regardless of gender and type of residence are involved in, and have significant influence in, key
activities and decisions that affect their lives at home, in school, and the organizations to which they
belong. What they severely lack is involvement and influence in community and local affairs.

Although the youth participate in government programs and projects during implementation stages they
are not involved in the more crucial stages of program/project development such as identification and
selection, project planning and evaluation. For their part, national government agencies have programs
and services that address the different needs and problems of the youth. However, much should still be
done to strengthen institutional support for youth participation. Adequate financial, physical, and
human resources for youth development interventions must be provided. Inter-agency coordination and
collaboration, especially regarding youth-centered programs, should be further promoted. The potential
resources and expertise that can be maximized through the private sector and civil society have yet to
be maximized."

Excerpt from Medium-Term Youth Development Plan 2005-2010

Framework of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development has some common attributes at an abstract level in the conceptualizations
such as a) equality and fairness, b) a future-oriented long term view, and c) a holistic framework of
thinking.

Sustainable Development is concerned with meeting the needs of the powerless marginalized portions
of the current population: the poor, women, even future generations those who are excluded from the
decision-making processes. This means that uses and distribution of resources and opportunities should
be equal and fair.

Policy Agenda Statements for the Philippine Youth Development Plan

1. On Youth Education

a. Enable access to quality and responsive education at all levels.

b. Develop globally competitive youth.

2. On Youth Employment

a. Decrease youth unemployment and underemployment.

b. Prevent the exploitation of young workers and working children.

3. On Youth Health

a. Ensure the acceptability, accessibility, availability, and affordability of culturally and gender
sensitive/responsive and user-friendly health services and facilities for adolescents and youth, especially
with regard to adolescent health and youth development (AHYD).

b. Reduce the incidence of risk behavior among Filipino youth.

4. On Youth Participation

a. Strengthen youth participation in community and youth development activities, such as in planning,
implementing, monitoring and evaluating youth programs and projects.

b. Integrate the youth agenda and concerns in local and national development plans.

5. On Specific Youth Groups

Eliminate all forms of discrimination and abuse against youth.

6. On Youth Values

Promote a positive and healthy self-image, critical thinking, love of country, social responsibility, and the
spirit of volunteerism among youth.