COTABATO CITY (May 10, 2024) — The Bangsamoro Youth Commission has established its regional youth advisory council, a significant step highlighted by the election of its members during the 1st Regional Youth Assembly (RYA) held on May 9 at Pagana Kutawato, Cotabato City.
The RYAC is established to serve as an advisory and consultative council, ensuring the effective execution of the Commission’s mandates and functions as a policy-making and coordination on matters affecting the Bangsamoro youth.
As outlined in Section 35, Rule IX of the BAA 10 IRR, the RYAC will be headed by the Chairperson and the Executive Director as the Secretary. The council will comprise fourteen (14) members elected by the Regional Youth Assembly (RYA).
Council members were selected from various sub-sectoral categories of the youth, including Local Government Units (LGUs), women, traditional leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Bangsamoro communities recommended by the Office for Other Bangsamoro Communities (BCOBAR), religious leaders, and youth organizations.
The election process, conducted through a secret ballot, proceeded smoothly and fairly, culminating in the successful selection of newly elected fourteen (14) council members, with seven (7) members from the mainland provinces and seven (7) from the island provinces.
With the mandate to serve for a maximum of two terms, the council members are entrusted with the responsibility of advocating for the needs and concerns of the youth while fostering collaboration and dialogue among different stakeholders.
Following the election proceedings, the newly elected Council members took their oath, symbolizing their commitment to enhancing the council’s effectiveness through collaborative efforts. The oath was administered by Nairah C. Manongcarang, BYC Chief of Administration and Finance (AFD).
Concluding the program, Settie Ivy C. Ampatuan, BYC Youth Development Officer, left participants with a sense of motivation and purpose, urging them to sustain their engagement and perseverance in shaping the welfare of the youth in Bangsamoro. (BYC PR Unit/SAMN).
