Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Bill - Hon. Clarisse C. San Felipe
Third Youth Congress
Baguio , City
Philippines
House Bill No._
Introduced by: HON. CLARISSE C. SAN FELIPE
Explanatory Note
The bulk of population is made up of youth. Compared to previous generations, today's younger citizenry are better educated and politically conscious. The youth constitute a rich reservoir of productive manpower. As stated in the Article 2 Section 13 of the Philippine Constitution "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 active involvement and participation by giving them representation in public and civic affairs to the fullest extent possible." The youth of today will be tomorrow's citizens. These citizens will be as they have been prepared and guided in their youth for future positions of responsibility and leadership.
To institutionalize the involvement of the youth in local governance, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) was created through the 1991 Local Government Code. The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) initiates programmes and activities, and coordinates with all youth organizations for development efforts that affect youth, especially at the local level.
Through the SK, young people ages 15 to 21 years are given the opportunity to participate directly in affairs involving all levels of governance including barangay, municipal, city, provincial, and national levels. Each barangay has a SK composed of a chairperson, a secretary, a treasurer and seven other members who are elected at large by the registered youth. The SK are charged with such responsibilities as the promulgation of resolutions, initiation of programmes, holding of fundraising activities, submission of reports, consultation and coordination with all youth organizations in the barangay. The SK is involved in such activities as sports development, environmental care, waste management, leadership formation, education on child and youth rights, livelihood and entrepreneurial training, and drug prevention and control. Involvement of youth in all spheres of public participation is important to the process of democratization underway in the Philippines . It is also important for the development of youth as one of the major sectors of the population. The Sangguniang Kabataan is the best training ground for our future leaders. For years, SK has ensured youth participation in governance and facilitated youth development activities.
The recent study among the youth estimates that 1.6 million Filipinos aged between 15 and 18 years had tried illegal drugs and 1.3 million claimed to have sold illegal drugs. Report shows that of the 4,476 cases admitted to rehabilitation centers in the country, 68 per cent (3,044 cases) belongs to those in this age bracket. While efforts have been made to respond to the substance abuse problem among the Filipino youths, much remains to be done, particularly with regard to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The government is now charged with the responsibility of developing a comprehensive, coordinated nationwide service aimed at improving youth participation in all aspects of Filipino society. I recognize the importance of SK as a training ground for the youth and their even bigger role as the voice of all the youth of the nation. There is a need for further strengthening of the participation of SK in illegal drugs prevention program of the government. Since the SK officials will serve as a role model for the youth, it is best for them to be free from the abusive use of drugs. As such, there is a need for ongoing awareness relating to illegal drugs for all youth to increase their participation and involvement in local governance and youth development projects.
Accordingly, to actualize these priority concerns toward the effective promotion of illegal drugs awareness among the youth, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
CLARISSE C. SAN FELIPE
Third Youth Congress
Baguio , City
Philippines
House Bill No._
Introduced by: HON. CLARISSE C. SAN FELIPE
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING A CUMPOLSARY DRUG TESTING TO EVERY CANDIDATES OF SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTION
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. This act shall be known as the "SK Drug Testing Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. In recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation-building, it is hereby declared the policy of the state to promote and protect their physical, moral, intellectual and social well-being. The state shall institute measures that will ensure his/her protection against any abuse in using drugs that help in the destruction of one’s health.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. The following terms shall be understood in this Act to mean:
a."Sangguniang Kabataan" - refers to a Constitution-mandated youth organization at the national and local levels that aims to promote the development and welfare of youth, initiate programmes and activities, and coordinate with all youth organizations for development efforts that affect youth, especially at the local level.
b."Illegal Drugs" - refers to those drugs that are hazardous to the health.
c."Drug Testing" - refers to which an individual is being examined whether he/she is using drugs or not.
d."COMELEC" - refers to Commission on Elections
e."DILG" - refers to Department of Interior and Local Government.
f."DOH" - refers to Department of Health
g. "DDB" - refers to Dangerous Drugs Board
Sec. 4. Objectives of SK Drug Testing Act. The SK Drug Testing Act shall be implemented with the following objectives:
a. to sthrengthen the youth's participation in illegal drug prevention;
b. to provide a leader that can be a good role model to the youth;
c. to eliminate the influence of illegal drugs on the youth.
Sec. 5. Implementation. (a) The SK Drug Testing Act shall be a requirement to every registered youth who will be running in the SK election.
(b) This requirement shall be passed to the COMELEC together with the Certificate of Candidacy.
(c) Any electoral candidate who failed to submit the said requirement shall be disqualified in the list of candidates.
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or paths thereof in consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The COMELEC, in accordance with DILG, DOH and DDB, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations within 60 days upon the effectivity of this Act.
Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately on the preceding election after its approval and upon publication on at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,Labels: family
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