MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)–The youth sector here is even more empowered with the coming of a new organization.
The Sangguniang Kabataan in the province launched on Tuesday, January 26, the “Boses ng Kabataang Meranaw” with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting during the kickoff of a livelihood program named Kawiyagan 2022: Trade, Techno and Job Fair,
Boses ng Kabataang Meranaw advocate and Provincial Board Member Jamil Faisal Adiong said they founded the movement as they have been raising the banner of their campaign on stepping up the voice of Meranaos.
“The Boses ng Kabataang Meranaw is a movement which aims to recognize, deepen and amplify the voices of the youth. Ang tunay na boses ng mga kabataan ay nanggagaling dapat sa baba mismo. Kinakailangan natin ng programa na mas magpapalakas ng mga kabataan sa iba’t ibang sulok ng probinsya [The real voice of the youth must come from the lower level. We need a program to louden the voice of the youth],” he said.
Adiong said with the launching of the new organization is the formal establishment of eleven groups which are products of the 3rd Ranaw Project Grant Program (RPGP) initiated in partnership with various development partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Philippines, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Save the Children Philippines, Office of Deputy Speaker Zia Alonto Adiong, Raheemah Peace Weavers, and Plan International.
Accordingly, the groups underwent rigid technical training for the installation of skills and knowledge on how to run a social enterprise.
Further, they received from the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur prototyping equipment worth P5,000 and P10,000 for their project implementation while another P20,000 for the full implementation of their proposed social enterprises. The top five groups got an additional P75,000 each from PBSP.
Also showcased by the movement in this year’s Kawiyagan are successful social entrepreneurs from 2nd RPGP which was spearheaded in 2020 before the onslaught of the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic. Some of the present group alumni were N’ditarun Tano, Hijab for a Cause and Singanen.
The board member also detailed that the youth council has previously frontlined particular initiatives including the passage of Ranaw Youth Code in December 2020 which is an ordinance creating a youth development office in the whole Lanao del Sur and institutionalizing mandatory relevant programs.
He added that they have conducted as well the 3rd Ranaw Youth Parliament which convened 40 young leaders from different towns in Lanao del Sur, and the Ranaw Youth Organization Summit which assembled all youth from the province. In the coming months, the launching of the 1st Ranaw Young Leaders Academy is expected to transpire to develop second-line leaders.
With all of these plotted events and efforts, Adiong reiterated that the government and the organization will stand side by side for the voice of the youth.
“Patuloy nating palakasin ang boses ng kabataang Meranao [We will continue to intensify the voice of Meranao youth],” he said. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)
Photo captions:
Photo 1: The Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and the city government of Marawi launch the movement Boses ng Kabataang Meranao during the kickoff ceremony of Kawiyagan 2022: Trade, Techno and Job Fair Wednesday, January 26. (PIA-Lanao del Sur)
Photo 2: The Ranaw Project Grant Program installs its booth during the Kawiyagan 2022: Trade, Techno and Job Fair to showcase their products. (PIA-Lanao del Sur)
