Why the Filipino youth matter

The Filipino youth matter on so many levels. They comprise nearly 30 percent of the total population, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. And they’re not just the future—they are the now.

They are also estimated to make up 52 percent of the voting population, a formidable force in shaping national decisions. In the 2028 presidential elections, around 7 million new voters, mostly young, are expected to register. Even outside of the Sangguniang Kabataan, young people are beginning to engage in elected positions, shaping their communities and influencing governance from the grassroots up.

But the youth matter not only because of their sheer number. They are more than a voting bloc to be mobilized. They are the soul of a nation in dire need of hope, integrity, and renewal.

Yet, as a society, we are falling short of giving them the environment they need to thrive. Too many barriers stand in their way. Stunting and malnutrition remain alarmingly high, affecting one in four children under five. These are not just short-term health issues, but long-term threats to cognitive and physical development. In education, Filipino students continue to rank among the lowest in global reading, math, and science assessments, exposing cracks in our learning system.

Career preparedness is another struggle. Many young graduates lack the skills and confidence required by today’s job market. At the same time, too many are growing up in households where they are overexposed to unfiltered digital content and underexposed to personal mentorship. The internet has become their teacher; trendsetters, their role models. This raises the question: Do they still see parents, teachers, or the Church as authorities in their lives? Or are they more influenced by fleeting online influencers?

Mental health is an emerging crisis, too. The World Health Organization reports that suicide is among the leading causes of death for Filipino youth aged 15 to 24. Teenage pregnancy, while declining, remains one of the highest in Southeast Asia. Harmful websites promoting violence, gambling, and pornography are accessible with a few clicks. And yet, they don’t just need shielding, they need guidance.

We must remain vigilant, yes, but not at the cost of suffocating their growth. They must be allowed the space to explore, to stumble, and to be children. Let them find their voice and be nurtured by those who have walked ahead of them.

The future of our society hinges on how we treat our youth today. This requires a whole-of-society approach, where institutions, families, faith communities, corporations, and civic groups all take ownership of their role in shaping the next generation. Thankfully, many are already doing their part.

Phinma Education serves over 164,000 students, primarily from low-income families. It doesn’t just provide quality, affordable education; it walks with students throughout their college journey. Each student is assigned a coach to help overcome self-doubt and economic hardship. Innovative learning models meet students where they are, supporting them through board exams and into employment. Phinma Education also nurtures a sense of purpose by training students to become agents of social transformation.

Phinma Foundation plays its part by providing high-impact scholarship programs in different schools all over the country, pairing students with Phinma mentors and offering leadership and career preparedness training.

For out-of-school youth and street children, organizations like AJ Kalinga Foundation step in with compassion. They provide feeding programs, clothing, and education through the alternative learning system. SiglaTala Children and Youth Center in Manila and Kuya Center for Street Children in Quezon City offer safe shelters and rehabilitation for rescued street children. For those in conflict with the law and children at risk, Bahay Pag-asa—supported by De La Salle schools in Dasmariñas, Cavite and Bacolod, Negros Occidental—provides transformation centers rooted in hope and restorative justice.

In Pasig and Mandaluyong, the youth group of Favor Church, which reaches out to public high schools, provides mental health seminars, high-impact empowering events, and nurturing support through connect groups. Through their efforts, even children exposed to gangs and violence at a very early age have found community and are guided to be Christ-following agents of peace and love.

There are countless more: those organizing youth camps, sports clinics, leadership talks, scholarship programs, and feeding initiatives. These efforts, though scattered, form a powerful collective impact.

But we must scale up. We need more collaboration. More urgency. And more heart. To paraphrase Ka Pepe Diokno, we must work for “a nation for our children”—one where every young Filipino can grow with dignity, dream without fear, and lead with courage.

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Reigner Sanchez is the public affairs manager of Phinma Corp., a former student leader at De La Salle University, and an active volunteer at Favor Church.

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Business Matters is a project of the Makati Business Club (makatibusinessclub@mbc.com.ph).