The National Youth Parliament (NYP) is a 3-day convention, from October 26-29, 2004, gathering all youth leaders in the country. Its goal is to serve as the government tool to address prevailing issues of the youth and guide in policy formulation and program development for the youth in the country.

The NYP is a biennial interval gathering called by the National Youth Commission (NYC). There were 291 delegates chosen this year who attended the said parliament that

Ms. Bernadette Tuazon (Internal Vice President of the Student Council and NCR-Las Piñas City delegate), Ms. Ara Mosca (CCD President and Region IV-A, Batangas delegate), and Ms. Carla Serafico were chosen as delegates to the 5^th National Youth Parliament in Casa Blanca Hotel, Legaspi, Albay.    

NYP aims to gain insights on existing government programs on youth development. Its objective is to validate the Medium Term Youth Development Plan (MTYDP) for 2005-2010. It also would like to come up with policy recommendations at the local and national levels to enhance the MTYDP. They also would like to create a pool of youth advocates in the local and national levels.
 

The delegates were grouped by region and by committees to work on the MTYDP and regional action plans. The three Scholastican delegates preferred to be involved in the Youth Participation and Internal Response Committee. Ms. Tuazon became the Assistant Secretary of the committee.  Amendments of the MTYDP were discussed in parliamentary procedures headed by elected officers of the 5^th NYP. Through the help of AMA Computer College of Albay, computerized electoral process was used.

Mr. Butch Jimenez of PLDT and NYP Chairman Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV encouraged the delegates to join NYC activities to be agents of change of our future, to ‘Think Out of the Box’, and by ‘imageneering’, encouraging innovations among youth leaders. 

The last itinerary of the delegates was
to tour Albay’s pride such as the magnificent Cagsawa Church and historical

L to R: Bernadette Tuazon, Carla Serafico and Ara Mosca at the famous Cagsawa Ruins in Legaspi

spots such as Kapuntukan Hill, Albay Park and Wildlife, and a lot more. 

This is an unforgettable four days-experience for the delegates knowing that they are making history. This is for the future, our future! n