The Philippines has a predominantly young population, with a mean age of 24.1 years, and is undergoing rapid urbanization at an annual rate of 2.04% (2020-2025). High internet penetration, covering 53% of the population, brings both opportunities and risks for the youth. Despite the country’s economic development, youth unemployment remains relatively high at 7.3%, and 16.7% of the population lives below the poverty line, creating vulnerabilities for the young population.
The legal and policy framework for youth safety and security in the Philippines is comprehensive. Key national laws such as RA 7610, RA 9344, and RA 11188, along with international agreements like the UNCRC and ILO Conventions, offer significant protections. Sector-specific policies address child labor, digital safety, adoption, armed conflict, and trafficking. However, despite the robust legal architecture, implementation gaps persist. Weak enforcement at the local government level, the non-functionality of many Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPCs), limited technical expertise, and poor coordination across government layers undermine the impact of these policies. Deeply ingrained cultural acceptance of violence against children further exacerbates these challenges.
Proximity-based actors such as parents, neighbors, and teachers play a critical role in safeguarding youth, often stepping in where formal structures fall short. The local government is instrumental in ensuring that they are filling service gaps, offering early intervention, protection, and residential services. Notably, youth themselves have demonstrated agency by taking proactive roles in various community safety initiatives that will require full government support.
Given these realities, there are significant opportunities for the Safe and Sound (S²Cities) program. Strengthening community-based mechanisms, empowering youth as active champions of safety and security, building local government capacities, and leveraging digital platforms responsibly can create meaningful and sustainable improvements in youth safety and security across participating Philippine cities, Baguio and Naga, and other cities part of the S²Cities Learning Network.
