COTABATO CITY (Dec. 10, 2024) — The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) has concluded two major projects under the Bangsamoro Government’s Special Development Fund (SDF) on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Cotabato City. The initiatives led to the creation of youth-led cooperatives, community organizations, and the development of youth-centered policies.
BYC Chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong highlighted the Bangsamoro Government’s dedication to inclusivity through these efforts.
“These projects were designed specifically for you [youth], so that even out-of-school youth, those in camps, or in remote areas, can feel that they are part of the Bangsamoro Government and can benefit from its programs,” Chairperson Macasalong said.
Youth Reintegration Program
The Youth Reintegration Program also called the Positive Peace Project, a project aimed at facilitating the meaningful reintegration of former young combatants, formed 10 social enterprise cooperatives now officially recognized by the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority (CSEA) and are now operating at their respective camps across the region.
This initiative focused on their positive transformation by providing technical-vocational skills development, and cooperative formation, empowering these youth to become responsible and productive members of their communities. They underwent technical-vocational skills training, cooperative registration orientation, and cooperative governance and management training, among others.
A total of ₱13.6 million was granted to the beneficiaries to sustain and expand the cooperatives’ operations.
Abdulrazak Harris, president of Camp Rajamudah Youth Consumers Cooperative based in Pikit, expressed his gratitude to BYC for the transformative impact of the program.
“Your initiatives inspire and give hope to many young people. You have guided us toward achieving our dreams and becoming active members of our society,” Harris shared.
Youth Empowerment in the SPMS Box
On the other hand, the Youth Empowerment in the SPMS Box, a project that targeted 180 out-of-school youth from eight towns within the SPMS Box area, has formed eight youth-led community organizations.
This project aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and foster community engagement among these community partners to enable them to become productive members of society. They underwent alternative learning system classes, training on organizational management, and leadership and advocacy building training.
Each newly formed organization received a ₱50,000 seed grant to support their community projects. Additionally, each community partner was granted ₱10,000 to aid in continuing their formal education.
Noron Lumambas, secretary of the youth group ALSabuild based in Datu Salibo, shared her experience with the project’s impact.
“This program expanded our knowledge, opened opportunities to discover new skills, and allowed us to experience things we never had before,” she said.
Youth-centered Policies
BYC, as a policy-making and coordinating agency for the youth, aimed to develop pertinent youth-centered policies from the outcomes of the projects.
A day prior to the culmination activity, BYC conducted a policy forum, convening decision-makers to discuss and promote seven youth-centered policies generated from the projects.
With the theme “Advancing Bangsamoro Youth Development through Policy Innovation,” the forum strengthened BYC’s collaboration with stakeholders and gained their commitment by identifying actionable steps to integrate these policies into regional governance.
BYC, as the lead policy-making, coordinating, and monitoring agency of the Bangsamoro Government in all matters affecting youth, provides leadership in formulating and initiating regional policies and plans, and in setting priorities and direction for youth promotion and development programs.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the SDF was established to support the rehabilitation, rebuilding, and development of conflict-affected areas in the BARMM geographical areas. (BYC PR Unit/KAA)
