As part of the Bangsamoro Government’s ongoing engagement with youth, the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) “checked on” the youths of Special Geographic Areas (SGA) during the second leg of its “Kumustahan Session: Round Table Discussion” held on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Midsayap, Cotabato.
Spearheaded by the Office of the Commissioner for Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and the SGA, in partnership with Integrated Democracy and Development for Meaningful Progress, Inc., the activity was attended by representatives of accredited youth organizations and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from the 63 barangays of SGA.
BYC Commissioner Nasseruding Dunding reaffirmed in his message the continuing commitment of the Bangsamoro Government to engage and empower the youth for meaningful participation.
“Ang gusto natin ay maging bahagi kayo ng patuloy na pagpanday ng pamahalaang Bangsamoro (We want you to be a part of the ongoing development of the Bangsamoro Government)…” Dunding said, highlighting the Bangsamoro Government’s vision for the youth.
The Kumustahan Session aimed to provide a platform for the youth sector to discuss its issues and concerns, identify potential networks, and explore areas of collaboration with the Bangsamoro Government.
Zaiton Abas, field office head of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government-SGA, discussed opportunities and issues of youth, emphasizing their crucial roles in shaping the future of SGA.
SGA is a territory of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which was established through a successful plebiscite in 2019, carving out 63 barangays from Cotabato Province.
The activity’s first leg was conducted with youth sectors of Cotabato City on Feb. 1. Another leg will be conducted with youth sectors of Maguindanao del Sur and Norte.
As stipulated in Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 10, BYC functions to establish a consultative mechanism, providing a forum for continuing dialogue between the Bangsamoro Government and the youth sector on matters affecting them. (BYC PR Unit/KAA)
