BYC Chairperson Marjanie Macasalong delivers his provincial State of the Bangsamoro Address (SOBYA) in Marawi City on Thursday, August 5. (Photo courtesy of BYC)
COTABATO CITY—Chairperson Marjanine Mimbantas Macasalong of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) led the kick off activity of the International Youth Day (IYD) regional celebration through the provincial State of the Youth Address (SOBYA) delivered on Thursday, August 5, in Marawi City.
Macasalong, who is also the BYC commissioner representing Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, said the BYC has approved various programs that promote youth participation and development in the area including Youth Volunteer Program to tap youth volunteers to participate in Marawi relief operations, distribution of aid in shelters, feeding programs, among many others.
“Fostering volunteerism is a great way to build public awareness and appreciation for the youth’s role in society,” Macasalong added.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Macasalong said, the youth are “the instigator of change in society and their role has been significant in shaping what the Bangsamoro is now.”
“The youth of today had become more and more involved and vocal about their opinion. They have made themselves the agents, and their voices and action the medium of change,” said Macasalong, who is among the young members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.
The BYC Lanao del Sur and Marawi City is currently working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the implementation of information drive about the myths and facts about Covid-19 and the health benefits of Covid-19 vaccine, and with Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) for several skills training. Various capacity buildings, forums and consultations are also slated for the region.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Mohammad Faizal Alih of BYC-Sulu delivered his Provincial SOBYA on Thursday, August 5, 2020 at Notre Dame of Jolo College, in Jolo, Sulu.
“Despite of the challenges and difficulties, ang BYC-Sulu ay hindi nag-atubiling gumawa ng paraan upang masimulan ang hakbang tungo sa pagbabago para sa kabataan ng Sulu,” Commisioner Alih said.
The provincial SOBYA is part of BYC’s initiative to celebrate the IYD on August 12 wherein the regional SOBYA will be delivered by Chairperson Macasalong.
This year’s IYD celebration bears the them: “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” to emphasize that the success of a global effort will not be achieved without the participation of young people.
The celebration in the region will be marked with BYC En-Banc regular session, second regional SOBYA, and the launching of the Bangsamoro Youth Innovation Challenge.
In 2020, the regional celebration of the IYD was marked with different activities that included the launching of the Bangsamoro Youth Transition Priority Agenda (BYTPA) 2020-2022, State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address, and awarding of short film fest and photography contest winners.
IYD is an international day dedicated by the United Nations to raise awareness on the cultural and legal issues surrounding the youth. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
