The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) successfully culminated the 2025 Linggo ng Kabataan and International Youth Day celebrations through the 6th State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address (SOBYA). This significant event took place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the KCC Mall Convention Center in Cotabato City.
Nearly 1,000 youth leaders, BARMM leaders, and stakeholders from all provinces and cities of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) attended the gathering, alongside key government officials, local government leaders, development partners, and other stakeholders. Notable attendees included BYC Chairperson Nasserudin D. Dunding, BARMM Senior Minister Mohammad Yacob representing Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, BYC commissioners and staff, and representatives from Transforming Fragilities, Inc., Managing Director, Judith Joy Libarnes and Operations Officer, Ruel Pugoy.
During the event, BYC Chairperson Nasserudin D. Dunding delivered a comprehensive report that outlined the Commissionโs accomplishments and institutional programs, all aimed at strengthening youth participation in peacebuilding, governance, and development within the region. A major highlight of the address was the presentation of the Bangsamoro Youth Assessment Study (BYAS), conducted by Transforming Fragilities, Inc., which will serve as the evidence base for crafting the Bangsamoro Youth Development Plan (BYDP) for the years 2025 to 2030.
The program also showcased several flagship initiatives, such as the Bangsamoro Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (BAP-YPS), the Bangsamoro Youth Volunteer Program (BYVP), the Youth Empowerment initiatives in the SPMS Box, and the Comprehensive Youth Transformation Program (CYTP). To further support youth empowerment, the event included the distribution of BYC-REAP registration certificates to youth organizations across BARMM, granting them formal recognition and expanding opportunities for active participation in regional development.
Outstanding Bangsamoro youth achievers were also honored during the event for their exemplary accomplishments in academics, science, sports, peace advocacy, and public service. In closing, the event conveyed a strong call for enhanced collaboration among ministries, local government units, development partners, and youth-serving organizations to unite their efforts in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Bangsamoro region.
With the theme โLocal Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,โ the 6th State of the Bangsamoro Youth Address served as a vital platform to assess current youth development efforts and to set forward-looking, data-driven policy directions for an inclusive, sustainable future for the Bangsamoro youth.
