COTABATO CITY (August 7, 2023) – Commissioner Pratima Sabal-Samsaraji of Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) – Tawi-Tawi delivered the Pre-State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address (SOBYA) on August 3 in Bongao to “honor the vital role of youth in the region.”
The Pre-SOBYA, is among the activities lined up in celebration of the Linggo ng Kabataan 2023, and International Youth Day 2023 on August 12.
Commissioner Pratima highlighted that the Bangsamoro government has the task to channel the potential and aspirations of the youth into “concrete actions” will shape the future of the community.
“The Bangsamoro youth, with their energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives, hold the key to a brighter future. It is our duty, as leaders and mentors, to provide them with the necessary platforms and support to thrive,” Commissioner Pratima said.
Linggo ng Kabataan is celebrated annually in accordance with Republic Act No. 10742, also known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015. According to this law, each barangay, municipality, city, and province is mandated to conduct an annual activity in commemoration of the Linggo ng Kabataan. This event takes place on the week that coincides with the celebration of International Youth Day on the 12th of August.
Commissioner Pratima also highlighted that her representation has also filed 13 resolutions to the BYC Commission Proper that foused on various issues covering from prioritization of out-of-shool youth and former youth combatants to programs of the Bangsamoro government, to institution building measures, and environmental preservation, among others.
BYC is the primary policy-making and coordinating office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on youth affairs.
Several capacity-building activities and programs were also implemented by BYC Tawi-Tawi, aiming to engage the youth meaningfully and capacitating them with skills needed for their participation in governance, civic engagements, and environmental protection, among others. About 5,000 youth were served with these several initiatives, including provision of packages during the pandemic period.
Commissioner Pratima has also appealed to the youth of Tawi-tawi to actively participate in the drafting and finalization of several youth development plans and data gathering activities as they have “contextualized aspirations, issues, and concerns.”
“These baseline data will serve as a guide on the implementation, coordinating, and policymaking of the Bangsamoro Government and other instrumentalities in BARMM concerning the Bangsamoro youth,” Commissioner Pratima added.
The SOBYA will be delivered by BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong on August 12 IYD 2023 in Cotabato City. (BYC PR Unit/RMM) (Photos from BYC Tawi-Tawi)
