We recently chaired a Senate Committee on Youth public hearing on measures that we believe could have a tremendous impact on young Filipinos, many of whom, for the past two years, have spent a considerable portion of their time indoors, and isolated from crowds and gatherings. 
For sure, the pandemic has yet to end. But our country’s ramped up vaccination program and more effective treatment methods give us high hopes that a return to normalcy shall soon be realized. And that is why we chose to deliberate on measures establishing or institutionalizing various government programs that serve as extracurricular activities for young Filipinos, in anticipation of a more active and mobile youth population in the coming months and years.
One of these measure designates the National Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) as the Philippine National Youth Development Program in Music, in recognition of the former’s contribution to the development and promotion of Philippine music as an art, and to the training of young musical prodigies across the nation.
NAMCYA, which has been around for close to five decades, conducts annual competitions to recognize outstanding young Filipino musicians. In fact, NAMCYA has produced around 130 accomplished musicians, many of whom have moved on to become well-respected music professors here and abroad. Several have won their share of international competitions, have performed to foreign audiences, and become members of world-renowned orchestras.
Some of these include Jonathan Velasco, a choral conductor who was a member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers; Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, a concert violinist who went on to create the Center for the Arts in San Antonio, Zambales; Dr. Renato Lucas, who is the current NAMCYA President and professor at the UST Conservatory; and the Loboc Children’s Choir who have won various international music competitions. With NAMCYA’s storied existence, it is only right that the government continues to provide NAMCYA funding, use of space and facilities, and other means of support.
Another measure was about establishing the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program, in bid to entire more of your youth to get into agriculture or fisheries. This is especially timely as, according to a 2020 University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños study, the average age of a farmer has gone up to 53 years old from the 46 years measured back in 1966.
This measure, which calls for a whole-of-government approach, aims to increase the participation of the youth in agriculture and fisheries by outlining the roles of various government agencies in providing access to knowledge and information, land, financial services, “green-jobs”, new markets, and customer bases. By encouraging our younger population to engage in farming and fisheries, we open up the sector to fresh ideas and innovation—something which the industry badly needs. It is also our hope that, through this bill, we can make farming and fisheries more exciting, and enticing (“sexy” even) for the Filipino youth.
Meanwhile, the Committee also approved a measure declaring August 12 of every year as National Youth Day and institutionalizing the conduct of activities in line with the celebration. This measure aligns with the United Nations (UN) resolution to designate the same date as the International Youth Day as a reminder that young men and women are essential partners in community-building and human development. This is also in recognition of the numerous contributions of the youth—whether via social media, civic works, or pioneering and innovative industries—to the overall growth of our country even in the face of a seemingly crippling pandemic.
Finally, the Committee also approved a bill which mandates the Sangguniang Kabataan (SKs) to conduct a Summer Youth Camp in preparation of the increased mobility of our young Filipinos in the future. Through this measure, the SKs will work with government agencies and other youth and youth-serving organizations to conduct these camps and formulate various courses which include national situationers on youth issues, leadership, writing, public speaking, sports and fitness, mental health wellness, digital skills development, entrepreneurship, cultural awareness, environmental awareness, human rights promotion, personal development, financial education, and industries of the future.
These measures will help empower our youth to become more active participants in nation-building. We’re hopeful that once the Senate session resumes after the general elections, we may be able to further refine these bills. Anyway, Congress has always worked to ensure that the country has enough opportunities for our youth to prosper which in turn would also benefit the country in the long run.
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Sen. Sonny Angara has been in public service for 17 years. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.
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E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara/WDJ