Bangsamoro youth push for peace amid pandemic

The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) held a successful State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address (SOBYA) in Cotabato City, vowing to push ahead with its peace agenda as the nation remains in battle against the COVID-19 pandemic

The address was delivered by BYC chairperson Marjanie Mimbantas Macasalong, who stressed that the youth will become the future leaders of the Bangsamoro Region.

“It will be their voices that will ring loud and inspire more young leaders to make the world we live in one that encourages a culture of peace and inclusivity,”  Macasalong said.

“It is through the minds and hearts of the youth that we will be able to build the foundation of a society that rejects conflict and violence, and instead actively and purposefully work for sustainable and long-lasting peace,” he added.

The week-long celebration kicked off on August 5 with a series of provincial addresses among other activities.

The second SOBYA was held Thursday at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.

“Despite the pandemic, this year’s international youth week celebration is very successful, Alhamdulillah,” BYC chief of operations Fatimah Mandangan said Friday.

Other activities include the simultaneous pre-state of the Bangsamoro Youth Address of each commissioner in their provinces, the series of youth talks, the second Bangsamoro Youth Coordinating Council, the First Bangsamoro Youth Development Partners Forum, and BYC en banc session.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News