COTABATO CITY (Feb. 2, 2024)—Representatives from accredited youth organizations, Sangguniang Kabataan, and academe-based youth groups in Cotabato City gathered for the Kumustahan Session organized by the Office of the Commissioner for Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and the Special Geographic Areas on Thursday, Feb. 1, at Cotabato State University.
The activity provided a platform for the youth sector to discuss its issues and concerns, identify potential networks, and explore areas of collaboration with the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC).
Commissioner Nasserudin Dunding highlighted the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to Moral Governance, which can be manifested in BYC’s ongoing dialogue and engagement with the youth.
“We have a very open government in BARMM for you to engage and participate in formulating policies that would influence the programs, projects, and activities of the government,” Commissioner Dunding said.
“The youth should not only participate but also be heard and actively contribute to the formulation of policies and laws because that is the role we want to see in the youth,” he added.
In a workshop, BYC was also able to gather policy recommendations from the youth participants on various issues, including those related to health, environment, education, sports, and religion, among others.
Dunding emphasized that the gathered recommendations would be turned into policy briefs to influence policy-makers and institutions that can provide needs-based interventions for the youth.
Another leg of the Kumustahan Session will be held for youth in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and the Special Geographic Areas in the following weeks.
Kumustahan Session is an annual activity of BYC to establish a consultative mechanism, providing a forum for continuing dialogue between the Bangsamoro Government and the youth sector on matters affecting them, as stipulated in the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 10. (BYC PR Unit/KAA)
