The City Government of Davao has taken a significant step toward formalizing youth participation in local governance with the issuance of an executive order establishing the implementing rules for the Davao City Youth Development Council (DCYDC).
New Guidelines for Youth Representation
On November 20, 2025, Mayor Sebastian Duterte signed Executive Order No. 0307-23, which outlines the comprehensive procedures and guidelines for implementing City Ordinance No. 0307-23, Series of 2023. This landmark ordinance created the Davao City Youth Development Council, establishing a formal platform for youth engagement in local policymaking and development planning.
The executive order ensures the proper operationalization of the DCYDC by clearly defining its functions, limitations, composition, and establishing sanctions for non-compliance. The regulations align with national laws governing Local Youth Development Councils (LYDCs) and support the functions of the Davao City Youth Development Division-Local Youth Development Office (DCYDD-LYDO).
Council Composition and Membership Requirements
The DCYDC will be headed by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President and will consist of 10 to 21 members. Core leadership includes both the SK Federation President and Vice President, while additional members will represent various youth sectors.
At least eight but not more than nineteen representative-members will come from duly registered youth organizations or youth-serving organizations. The executive order specifies that all other incumbent SK officials—except the SK Federation President and Vice President—are ineligible to serve as representative members.
Representative-members will serve three-year terms corresponding to the local Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) cycle, unless removed for cause under the established rules.
Comprehensive Sectoral Representation
The executive order emphasizes inclusive representation across diverse youth sectors. Youth organizations and youth-serving organizations should include, but are not limited to, those with core advocacies involving:
- Peace-building and conflict resolution
- Out-of-school youth programs
- Health and wellness initiatives
- Disaster risk reduction and management
- LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion
- Islamic and faith-based activities
- Environmental protection and conservation
- Community development projects
- Persons with Disabilities (PWD) advocacy
- Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs)
- Women's empowerment and gender equality
- Economic development and entrepreneurship
- Academic and educational advancement
The DCYDD-LYDO, operating as a division under the City Social Welfare and Development Office, will have multiple responsibilities including registering and verifying youth-serving organizations, providing technical assistance in formulating the Davao City Youth Development Plan, facilitating DCYDC representative elections, serving as secretariat to the council, conducting mandatory training for SK officials and DCYDC members, and coordinating with the National Youth Commission (NYC) regarding local youth programs.
The comprehensive executive order covers multiple aspects of council operations including composition requirements, qualifications for representative members, duties and functions, convening procedures, formulation of the Davao City Youth Development Plan (DCYDP), election processes for representative members, registration procedures for youth organizations, local registration and verification processes, mandatory training programs, disciplinary actions for DCYDC members, and sanctions for non-compliant organizations.
For detailed information about the DCYDC Implementing Rules and Regulations, Dabawenyos are encouraged to visit the transparency section of the City Government of Davao website at https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/.
