NYC, OBYA bridgeyouths, government

INTERACTION --- Commissioner Cariza "Aiza" Yamson Seguerra of the National Youth Commission spoke before more than a hundred Bangsamoro youth leaders during a focus group discussion held at Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last December 22. Youth issues were mostly on educational and livelihood concerns. Also in photo is OBYA Executive Director Salic Sharief, Jr., standing left of Seguerra. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The National Youth Commission (NYC) together with the Office of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) continue to bridge the youth sector and the government.

Commissioner Cariza "Aiza" Yamson Seguerra of the NYC said during a recent focus group discussion with at least a hundred Bangsamoro youth leaders at Barangay Tukanalipao, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao she is elated to be with the presence of the Bangsamoro youths to share her sentiments with them as she expressed her eagerness to meet with the ARMM populace despite of the peace and order concern.

“I am deeply honoured to be here. The issue on peace and order condition is never a hindrance to meet with our Bangsamoro youths. I personally think this is a good avenue so we can connect and understand each other for the better despite the differences in our beliefs, culture, and traditions. After all, we are equal in the sight of God,” said Seguerra.

Seguerra said the NYC continues to provide the youth sector with opportunities so they become active partners in nation-building through youth programs and projects that will develop and harness their potentials and enable them to be of great service to their country and community.

One youth leader said “kailangan namin ng mas epektibong livelihood programs para sa kapakinabangan ng mga kabataan sa aming lugar. Sana ay matutukan din ang pagpapatibay ng kalidad na edukasyon (we need effective livelihood programs for the benefit of our youths here. It is also our wish to strengthen the quality of education).

Seguerra responded: “We will do our utmost best so we could further strengthen our livelihood training programs. I think the government have lots of programs in store and the only concern is how these programs could reach the farthest communities.”

“Lahat kayo alam kong gusto talagang makapagtapos ng pag-aral. Sana magawan namin ng paraan. Kami ho sa NYC, OBYA, at National Commission on Muslim Filipinos na magsisilbing tulay para mapagtibay ang implementasyon ng Alternative Learning System (I know all of you would want to finish studies. I hope we can do something about it. We from the NYC, OBYA, and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos could serve as bridge to further strengthen the implementation of Alternative Learning System),” said Seguerra.

Seguerra said the creation of policies and advocacies for youth development allows the NYC to push for reforms and the creation of new measures to implement better services for the youths and communities.

She said the legislative and policy agenda strengthens the authority of the National Youth Commission on youth participation policy and as a prime mover in inclusive youth development.

Youth development agenda is mainstreamed in national and local priorities and plans and the Commission and its Secretariat have the capacity, skills, and expertise as duty-bearers on inclusive youth participation and development, she said.

Some successful youth employment interventions of the NYC include: the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) which is an annual cultural exchange program that started in 1974 as a joint statement between ASEAN member countries and Japan; the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) which is an annual search and recognition program for outstanding contributions made by the youths and youth serving organizations nation-wide; the Government Internship Program where the NYC arranges for other government agencies and private companies to hire out-of-school, unemployed youths as interns who receive a monthly stipend that is 75 percent of the minimum wage; the National Youth Parliament which is a three-day convention of youth leaders every two years wherein  policy recommendations are formulated to address youth issues and serve as government’s guide in policy formulation and program development; Local Youth Development Program aimed at strengthening NYC’s linkage with its clientele in the grassroots level by beefing up its current set-up and by advocating for the establishment of Local Youth Development Councils; and the "Mindanao 2020" which is the commission’s new banner Peace and Development Advocacy (PDA) Program .

The PDA program is a comprehensive advocacy-training program on the culture of peace, human rights, and of the indigenous people. It aims to advance the promotion of peace, racial and cultural tolerance, respect for the environment, and rights of children, youth, women, and the indigenous people.

Last July 4, the  NYC was among the 12 agencies, formerly from the Office of the President reassigned to the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, based on Executive Order No. 1 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, OBYA Executive Director Salic Sharief, Jr. said their office continues to recognize the vital role of youths in the task of regional development towards nation-building.

“We are mandated to develop, promote, and protect the physical, economic, political, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youths in the autonomous region for regional development and nation-building,” said Sharief.

He said there should always be coordination between and among line-agencies in the ARMM when it comes to catering with the various youth concerns.

“We now have a deepened partnership with the NYC through Commissioner Aiza Seguerra. The goal of the OBYA and NYC is to simply showcase relevant programs to empower the youths in the ARMM,” said Sharief. (GILMHAR A. LAO)