COTABATO CITY (August 10, 2022) — The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) held the 1st Youth Leadership Conference for Cotabato City on Tuesday, August 9, at Robinson’s Hall, Alnor Convention Hall.
The activity was participated by Cotabato City Sangguniang Kabataang officials, members of Local Youth Development Council, and accredited youth organizations in Cotabato City.
BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong, in his remarks, reminded the youth of their roles as partners in community transformation.
“The BYC, and the BARMM government considers you as not only passive recipients of our programs, but as key partners in the realization of this government’s aspirations,” he said.
“Let us continue supporting and participating with the programs offered by the Bangsamoro government and its development partners,” Chairperson Macasalong added.
Youth officials were taught with various topics designed to enhance communication and leadership skills in leading both local and regional governance.
Mayjee Dela Cruz, NYC cluster head for BARMM and Region IX, discussed the Republic Act 11768 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law along with the SK Monitoring Tools.
Janine Gamao, chief of peacebuilding programs of Ministry of Public Order and Safety, shed light on the role of the youth and women as peacebuilders in the community.
Moreover, Atty. Norpaisa Paglala-Manduyog, Commission on Election officer, highlighted the salient points of the 1987 Constitution, highlighting Article V – Suffrage. She also provided updates for the 2022 Barangay and SK Elections.
Meanwhile, Union of Muslim Youth Organizations (UMYO) Chairman Sheikh Qardhawie Salik imparted the youth on the Leadership in the lens of Islam.
BYC Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding representing Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and SGA, stressed youth’s crucial participation in working with the Bangsamoro Government.
“This assembly only signifies unity between and among the institutions of young people. Our country has produced various laws for our youth that includes the SK Reform Law. In the BARMM, we also envision to protect and empower our Bangsamoro youth,” Commissioner Dunding said.
“This program is an open space to hear your voices and concerns. This is an avenue to lobby your good initiatives which will help in crafting and formulating policies for our fellow youth,” he added.
Also present during the event were Vice Mayor Johari Abu, Cotabato City Councilors Hunain Abo, Guiadzuri Midtimbang, Gabby Usman, and Marouf Pasawiran, BYC Commissioner for Sulu Mohammad Faizal Alih, BYC Commissioner for Tawi-Tawi Pratima Sabal-Samsaraji, Alain Matabalao representing Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao, and SK Federation President Talib Abo, III.
The activity is part of the two-week long celebration of the International Youth Day which gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices and initiatives in the society.
This year’s IYD bears the theme, “Intergenerational solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages,” which aims to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind. (BYC PR Unit/AAA)
