COTABATO CITY – (January 30, 2025) – The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) and Transforming Fragilities, Inc. (TFI) held a presentation of results of the Bangsamoro Youth Assessment Study (BYAS) and its ways forward on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Cotabato City.
The BYAS is a groundbreaking document that provides a clearer and contextualized documentation of lived realities of young people in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and its diaspora communities.
BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong said BYAS provides an evidence-based foundation for crafting conflict-sensitive and context-specific policies and programs tailored to the unique needs of young people in the region.
“BYAS is indeed a testament to our vision to root our policies and programs in solid data, making them evidence-based, conflict-sensitive, context-specific, and aligned with the needs of our youth and their diverse sectors,” Macasalong said.
Among the findings from the study underscore key issues such as significant health challenges, systemic barries that hinder educational opportunities, unresolved armed tensions, low participation of youth in civic and community initiatives, unemployment and limited access to social security programs, and risks of human trafficking and limited participation in international programs.
Bangsamoro youth have also expressed interest in engaging in governance and participation in elections, strong support to gender equality, and engagement in environmental sustainability.
The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including document reviews, field surveys, stakeholder interviews, provincial consultations, and field visits. Quantitative data was processed through SPSS, while qualitative insights were analyzed using Quirkos, guided by the National Youth Commission’s nine centers of participation and the Bangsamoro Youth Transition Priority Agenda (BYTPA).
The Commission, in its next steps, will translate the insights into actionable strategies for youth development. It will integrate these findings into platforms like the Bangsamoro Youth Coordinating Council and the Regional Youth Advisory Council, ensuring that programs address the real needs of the youth
Moreover, BYC will advocate for policy integration with the Office of the Chief Minister and Bangsamoro Parliament, ensuring youth development remains a priority. The Commission will also strengthen partnerships across BARMM ministries, civil society, and the private sector, and establish regular reviews to keep programs responsive to youth needs.
Findings in BYAS will help refine youth-centered policies and ensure effective program implementation. The assessment serves as a crucial step in shaping policies that empower Bangsamoro youth, reinforcing their role in the region’s development.
TFI conducted the comprehensive assessment of the youth across the Bangsamoro region to determine their current situation in terms of health, education, peacebuilding and security, governance, active citizenship, economic empowerment, environment, global mobility, and mass media and the internet. (BYC PR Unit/AAA)
