Feature: ‘A competitive youth means a competitive PH’ – NYC

MANILA, Sept. 11 – In a thriving environment of robust economic growth and institutional reforms, the National Youth Commission (NYC) called on all stakeholders to remember and recognize the role of the Filipino youth in sustaining the country’s competitiveness.

“Training young people’s skills and competencies in their early years can be helpful in improving our country’s level of competitiveness,” said NYC Chairperson Gio Tingson.

Leapfrogging 50 places since 2010, the Philippines has journeyed upward to 52nd place out of 148 in the rankings of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report.

This was credited to the “reforms of the past four years [which] have bolstered the country’s economic fundamentals,” as the report says.

‘Truly remarkable’

According to the perception-based report, efforts made against corruption have borne fruits, which paved the way for stronger institutions, higher government efficiency and better protection of property rights.

The Philippines has been able to adopt digital technologies at an accelerated rate, closely behind its neighbors such as Malaysia and Thailand.

“Such improvements create conditions that are conducive for young people to develop and innovate,” remarked the chairperson.

Focus on health, education and employment targets

However, the chairperson also underscored areas that still require some work, like education and health, in which the country ranks 92nd.

NYC, for its part, aims to increase gross enrollment rate in secondary education from 92.62% to 115.79%. The commission also targets lower incidence in teen pregnancy, tobacco and alcohol consumption, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS infection.

“We have the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) to facilitate the youth’s development founded on four pillars namely education, health, employment and participation,” said Tingson.

He also explained that these are the four major areas of concern that affect 28 million young people today and that there is a need for strategic direction in addressing them.

“We have also always worked towards realizing responsive education, training and methods of career-coaching that are tailor-fitted to the needs of young people,” the chairperson remarked, in response to the perceived rigidity of the Philippine labor market that puts the country in 91st place.

“For more efficient labor market, the NYC promotes employment-rich opportunities and offers policies that improve our labor market information systems in order to reach a 90% youth employment rate in 2016,” he added.

Rankings aside

With many other pillars still requiring some attention, the National Youth Commission urged the government and its partners to sustain their engagements in order to reach the agencies’ targets for the upcoming year.

“While we appreciate this kind of affirmation that the government is doing well, our ultimate measure of competitiveness should be based on our policies’ targets that we have set for the future,” the chairperson said. (NYC/PIA-Caraga)
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