COTABATO CITY (June 26, 2023)– Institutions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are gearing towards crafting the Provincial Youth Development Plan (PYDP) 2023-2025 of Maguindanao del Norte.
A round table discussion and dialogue is being organized on June 26 and 27 in Cotabato City where officials from the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) are attending, including municipal and provincial youth development officers, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation presidents, planning officers, and youth organizations.
The initiative is being led by Office of BYC Commissioner for Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and Special geographic Areas Nasserudin Dunding, Provincial Government of Maguindanao del Norte, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Integrated Democracy & Development for Meaningful Progress, Inc. (IDDMP).
Commissioner Dunding said the activity seeks to identify and raise awareness on existing challenges and opportunities faced by the youth in several contexts, and generate solutions and recommendations through exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives among them.
He added that the activity is only an initial step to ensuring a development plan that is inclusive, contextual, and effective for the youth of Maguindanao del Norte.
The activity also became an avenue for the youth to strengthen their advocacy efforts, influence policies and decision-making processes by presenting the outcomes and recommendations to relevant authorities or policy-makers.
Youth leaders were tasked to determine their efforts based on nine centers for youth participation: Health, Education, Economic empowerment, Social inclusion and equity, Security, Governance, Active Citizenship, Environment and Global Mobility.
“Nilalayon po natin sa diskursong ito na ang mga planong mailalagay ay mismong manggagaling sa inyo, mula sa inyong pananaw at mga karanasan,” Commissioner Dunding, highlighted in his remarks.
Meanwhile, SK Federation President Hapsa Ibay Lagui said that crafting a policy-agenda such as the PYDP is essential in strengthening the government’s responsiveness in addressing needs of the youth in Maguindanao del Norte.
Datu Harris E. Samal, MagNorte’s youth dev’t officer, expressed gratitude to BYC’s efforts in providing platforms to capacitate the youth before being immersed with various advocacies.
UNDP Peace Program Analyst Judith De Guzman, underscored the office’s commitment to work hand-in-hand with the Commission in empowering the BARMM youth.
“Ang UNDP ay nakahandang umalalay sa BYC, sa youth natin in general para sa mga sustainable program sa BARMM. Kabataan ang isa sa mga tinututukan natin ang partisipasyon sa usaping kapayapaan at kung paano kayo masuportahan sa current struggle na mayroon kayo ngayon,” she said.
The development of the PYDP is in adherence with Republic Act No. 10742 otherwise known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.
PYDP is a strategic framework designed to address the specific needs and aspirations of young people within a particular province or state. It serves as a roadmap for government agencies, organizations and stakeholders involved in youth development to coordinate their efforts and resources effectively. (BYC PR Unit/AAA)
