BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong’s Inspirational Message for the Bangsamoro Youth Parliament 2022 Opening Program
November 7, 2022 / Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Cotabato City
Audhu billahi minashaytan nir rajim. Bismillahi rahmanir raheem.
Assalamu ’alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu!
Greetings of peace and solidarity to all.
Before I deliver my speech, allow me to send my appreciations and courtesies to our dignitaries and guests who are joining us today:
As we convene here today, I would like to congratulate you all in advance. After an extensive selection process of the numerous applicants we received, you have been chosen to qualify to be among the 80 youth members of the parliament for the Bangsamoro Youth Parliament 2022.
Undoubtedly, as a youth, we are innately idealistic. We have so many thoughts and ideas that we want to turn into reality, but there are also inhibitions that keep on circling our mind whether or not we should continue putting colors to our canvas. Meanwhile, we are also one of the vulnerable sectors that are directly affected by social upheavals and humanitarian crises.
Nonetheless, you should keep in mind, despite these challenges, you play a purposive role in achieving success in our society. Remember, the creation of the government we are leading right now was a result of combined efforts of our leaders who were once youth in their glorious days. Thus, our ideas that can benefit our people must not be hindered by doubts and uncertainties primarily if these could advance the Bangsamoro cause.
Thankfully, the establishment of the BARMM Government led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission as the lead agency in policy-making and coordinating functions of all matters relating to the youth. This only signifies that the government recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building, and promotes their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.
Your Bangsamoro Youth Commission is here to appreciate your efforts and provide assistance that will capacitate and further your potentials as the future beholders of our region.
One of BYC’s mechanisms on the policy-making mandate is allowing the youth to have an avenue to come up with proposed bills that will benefit them.
In December 2021, we were able to hold the first BYP. In this program, youth members of the parliament from all provinces and sectors across the BARMM were selected and were given lectures on parliamentary procedures, advocacy and policy paper making, resource mobilization, and capacity building for effective advocacy lobbying.
They also assumed the role of youth MPs in this program. After many days and nights of parliamentary simulation activity, they were able to pass bills and two resolutions beneficial to the development and welfare of the youth.
That is how dynamic and strong the Bangsamoro youth are. They were able to discuss prevailing and emerging issues affecting them and crafted policy recommendations as possible solutions through a parliamentary set-up that simulates a legislative process.
These are the things you will experience in the next few days.
BYP ensures that the youth are given avenues to understand and experience first-hand how parliamentary system of government works and to encourage their engagement and participation in the legislative process.
This program provides platform for the Commission to deliberate with or solicit great ideas or proposals from you in a productive and meaningful dialogue that culminates in the approval of BYP bills that can be forwarded to the regular Bangsamoro Parliament.
Hence, this activity is a great avenue for you to exercise your technical capacities, leadership skills, and will immerse you to a new set of experiences, but most of all, it will expand your understanding on how our government works and deals with our societal concerns specific to our context as Bangsamoro.
The sets of knowledge and experience you will gain from this activity — if coupled with actions, and with our elders’ wisdom and guidance — will bring huge contribution towards sustaining, strengthening, and preserving the peace that we have established.
Bittawfeeq to this week-long journey. This will be filled with lots of surprises, not to mention the sleepless nights you will have. But all of these will all be worth it.
To our Kabataang Mambabatas, to our Young Members of the Parliament, let your voice be heard and amplified dahil Kabataang Bangsamoro, ikaw ang pagbabago!
Wa billahi tawfeeq wal hidayah, wassalamu ’alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu!
