COTABATO CITY – Young men and women from different parts of Mindanao are calling for the immediate passage of a Bangsamoro Basic Law that is “stronger than (the law that created) the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)”. The call was made during the three-day youth conference held here from June 2 to 4.
Alkabir Julhajiri, a 22-year old participant of the conference from Parang, Sulu, said “…the BBL will respond to the needs and desire of the Bangsamoro and will lay down peace in Mindanao.”
Mindanao youth participants signed the million signature peace campaign launched by the autonomous regional government dubbed as “I Value Life, I Sign For Peace.” The campaign aims at generating at least a million signatures in support of the ongoing peace process and the call to end the wars in Mindanao.
As of June this year, the Coordinating and Development Office on Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA) gathered more than a hundred thousand signatures from individuals, organizations, and institutions nationwide.
Isa Tom del Monte, CDO-BYA executive director, said one of the essential outputs of the youth leaders’ conference is a manifesto dubbed “Bangsamoro Youth Declaration”. That document serves as their commitment and action plan to apply what they learn in their respective communities upon their return.
The 400 participants reiterated that the youths are the hope of the future and they want to help achieve peace and development in the region. They also want to help the people of ARMM in enhancing the delivery of education, health and government services, strengthen local government units, and recognize the role of women in development.
As stated in the manifesto, the youth reminds the leaders that apathy will be developed from the people if leaders would not help improve the peoples’ lives. “The three-day conference not only provided awareness to the participants but it was also a moment of reflection where they realized the important role the youth plays in society,” Del Monte said. (Bureau of Public Information)
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