Bongbong, Sara vow to improve sports among youth in Mindanao

Presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, vowed to improve sports programs and other productive activities in Mindanao to develop new athletes and to prevent children from engaging in violent activities.

The BBM-Sara UniTeam Alliance was alarmed by the Save the Children Philippines' report in 2019 indicating that some 1.8 million youths in Mindanao were severely affected by the continuing unrest in the region.

The tandem encouraged Mindanao’s youth to redirect their attention and be active participants in sports development, physical fitness, social and cultural programs.

“Naniniwala kami na ang isang pinakamabuting paraan para makamit natin ang katahimikan sa Mindanao ay kung mabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga kabataan na lumahok sa sports at iba pang katulad na aktibidad na magbibigay ng inspirasyon at direksyon sa kanilang buhay,” the tandem said in a press release.

(We believe that one of the ways to achieve peace in Mindanao is to provide the youth with opportunities in sports development and other activities that will give them inspiration and direction in their lives.)

Marcos and Duterte said the projects for the youth should be organized to focus their attention on constructive activities as they expressed alarm that some know how to hold a firearm even at a young age.

“Kasabay ng peace and order, dapat may programa tayo para sa mga kabataang lubhang naapektuhan ng patuloy na bakbakan sa Mindanao, nakakabahala na sa murang edad ay marami sa kanila ang marunong nang humawak ng baril, kawawa ang mga batang ito, kaya nais namin palakasin ang isports sa kanilang lugar,” they said.

(Together with the peace and order programs, there should also be programs for the youth who were gravely affected by the tension in Mindanao as it was alarming that, even at a young age, they know how to hold firearms.)

The tandem vowed to establish a super body that would focus on boosting grassroots sports programs in Mindanao, as well as build sports facilities, such as basketball courts, soccer fields, and gymnasiums. — DVM, GMA News