QUEZON City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas filed a bill that aims to institutionalize the Youth Legislators Program.

House Bill 5209 or the proposed Youth Legislators Program Act seeks to form a body composed of the youth who shall convene regularly to propose bills and resolutions to the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Youth Legislature shall also approve proposals for bills and resolutions in the same manner that Congress adopts bills and resolutions.

“The youth has always been a potent force for nation building. The 1987 Constitution acknowledges the importance of this sector in developing a strong Filipino Nation,” Vargas said in his explanatory note.

Under the bill, there shall be one youth legislator for every legislative district who shall report to the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, 24 youth legislature shall also report to the Senate.

A youth legislator must be at least 15 but not more than 24 years old, a resident of the legislative district he is representing, and is not a relative within the fourth civil degree of an incumbent elected official.

Youth legislators will receive a daily honorarium for a period of two weeks equivalent to 75 percent of the minimum wage in Metro Manila.