Bangsamoro youth want peace to continue. They are now stepping up to take their seats at the decision-making table, influencing laws and policies to ensure protection of children and youth rights and to promote inclusive governance in the Bangsamoro Region.
By Reven Bryan dela Peña, UNICEF Advocacy and Communications Officer – Mindanao Field Office
Cotabato City –Despite their lack of formal legislative power, young people in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have created a platform where their voices can be heard. The Bangsamoro Youth Parliament, now in its third year, has emerged as a new way for young Moros to raise their concerns and advocate for continued peace and their inclusion in the policymaking process.
As the May 2025 landmark elections draw near, the child and youth parliamentarians remain committed. They are determined to ensure that the bills and resolutions they have fought for will transcend paper and ink and become landmark actionable programmes and services that benefit not only children and youth but the entire region as well.
Unicef Young parliamentarian Maya Padilla holds her drafted bill on the establishment of a regional Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangsamoro.
“The establishment of a youth parliament is an initial step in educating children and young people about the legislative process,” says Settie Ivy Ampatuan, youth development officer of the Bangsamoro Youth Commission. “It also allows them to engage with the workings of the government and ensures their voices are part of the conversation.”
Since its inception in 2021, the youth parliament has advocated for numerous bills to be passed, including the establishment of a Climate Change Commission in the region. This initiative seeks to craft a comprehensive action plan that prioritizes the welfare of children and vulnerable communities amid the devastating effects of climate change.
Having their say
Supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UNICEF, the youth parliament brought together 80 young parliamentarians from across the region. One of the key focuses is to ensure that young people’s concerns are brought to the attention of leaders, especially with the upcoming Bangsamoro elections in May 2025.
19-year-old parliamentarian, Maya Padilla, emphasized the importance of young Moros having a seat at the policy table. “The Bangsamoro youth comprises a large population in the region. However, we are often on the receiving end of government decisions, and the lack of representation of our voices sometimes leads to the incorrect implementation of these laws and policies.”
Youth’s personal stake
For 20-year-old Jamil Luminda, a young parliamentarian with a deep-seated commitment to justice, the focus on advocating for safe and secure elections is personal. As member of the Sangguniang Kabataan in his barangay, he witnessed firsthand several incidents of violence that happened during the barangay elections in October 2023.
Unicef Jamil Luminda, at the Bangsamoro Youth Parliament, where he advocates for the passage of a resolution on the increased protection of children and youth in the upcoming BARMM
He knows all too well the violence that often flares up during election seasons in Bangsamoro and what it can do to the young. And he is determined to change that narrative. Jamil is pushing for a resolution to establish mechanisms that will protect children and youth from election-related violence.
“Our youth must be safeguarded from any form of violence or manipulation during elections,” Jamil emphasized, his voice carrying the weight of one who has experienced it. “We are appealing to our leaders to help stop all election-related violence affecting us.”
Jamil and his fellow parliamentarians have not limited their efforts to legislative drafting alone. Part of the agenda is to engage directly with the regional government. The young leaders, with a mix of determination and hope, entered the halls of power, where they spoke with ministers and key government leaders about different issues. These meetings were far from routine. They were charged with a sense of urgency, with young leaders challenging the government’s plans for the region’s youth. In these exchanges, Jamil and his fellow participants did not only question but also listened, absorbing insights from experts that later shape their proposed bills and resolutions.
“True progress is only achievable when young voices are heard and valued. Bangsamoro children and youth deserve safe spaces where they can freely express their opinions and engage in dialogue. They need strong advocates who support their journey in shaping policies and holding leaders accountable,” says Andreas Wuestenberg, Chief of UNICEF Mindanao Field Office.
