Photo courtesy of BYC – MagCotSGA
COTABATO CITY (August 18, 2023) — The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) – Maguindanao with Cotabato City and the Special Geographic Areas (MagCotSGA) marked the celebration of Linggo ng Kabataan and International Youth Day with a series of youth engagement activities.
On August 11, the Office of BYC Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding joined a Youth Summit, a community-based activity that gathered hundreds of youth leaders in Cotabato City. It was spearheaded by the City Government of Cotabato.
Following the 4th State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address (SOBYA) on August 12, Commissioner Dunding joined on August 13, the General Assembly of Ukhuwwatu Al-Muslimah Linashri Ad-Da’wah wa Al-Islam Inc. (UMLADi) in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. UMLADi is a women-led youth organization accredited by BYC based in Cotabato City.
Meanwhile on August 14, the Commissioner’s Office co-facilitated a debate competition spearheaded by the Province of Maguindanao Del Norte through its Provincial Youth Development Office. The competition was joined by representatives from different towns of the province.
Simultaneously on the same day, the Office through Chief of Staff Sohaila Macadato co-facilitated a leg of training roll-out on the awareness of child labor laws, an initiative spearheaded by the International Labour Organization.
On August 16, Commissioner Dunding delivered a lecture during the CampLilintad program, a peacebuilding initiative of Mindanao State University (MSU) – Maguindanao. In his lecture, Commissioner Dunding emphasized the importance of mainstreaming youth and development works in post-conflict areas.
The Commissioner’s Office also joined the week-long celebration of Linggo ng Kabataan of the Municipality of Sultan Mastura, which started on August 13. During the kick-off ceremony of the celebration, Commissioner Dunding delivered an inspirational message expressing the support of the Bangsamoro Government for the promotion and empowerment of youth in the town.
The celebration was culminated by youth leadership training dubbed “AKO ang susunod SK” which was facilitated by BYC and the town’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation. The training was aimed at preparing aspiring SK official candidates for the upcoming local elections in October.
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. (BYC PR Unit/KAA)
