COTABATO CITY (Aug. 6, 2024) — The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) has officially launched the 3rd Bangsamoro Youth Parliament (BYP) on Tuesday, August 6, in this city, continuing its mission to empower and engage the youth of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
This year’s youth parliament, which brings together 80 youth leaders from across the region, provides a vital platform for young people to participate in governance and policymaking.
BYC Chaiperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong said the BYP serves as a central venue for youth engagement, promoting inclusivity and collaborative problem-solving.
“It simulates the legislative process, allowing participants to propose and discuss bills and resolutions that address pressing issues within their communities,” Macasalong added.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law and the subsequent Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 10 established the BYC as the primary policymaking body for youth matters within the BARMM. According to Section XIII of BAA No. 10, the BYC is tasked with organizing training, seminars, and workshops aimed at enhancing youth leadership skills and instilling values of nationalism and patriotism, with a focus on Bangsamoro culture and Islamic values.
Several dignitaries from development partners, Bangsamoro ministries and offices, Bangsamoro Parliament and cabinet, local government units, and BYP alumni are attending the opening ceremonies Tuesday.
BYC held the inaugural BYP in 2021 and its second edition in 2022.
The BYP 2024 will end with the approval of bills and resolutions on Saturday, August 10. This initiative highlights the BYC’s commitment to fostering youth leadership and shaping the future of the Bangsamoro region through active engagement and policy development.
As the Bangsamoro Youth Parliament unfolds, it is poised to make a significant impact by providing a platform for young voices, enhancing their leadership capabilities, and contributing to meaningful policy advancements in the BARMM.
The 3rd BYP is being conducted by the Bangsamoro Government, through the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC), with aid from Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Project, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). (BYC PR Unit/RMM)
