UNICEF, BDO Foundation Partner to Support Bangsamoro Youth

UNICEF Philippines and BDO Foundation have launched a partnership to expand educational opportunities for out-of-school children and youth in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

The initiative, which will benefit vulnerable populations in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Maguindanao, aims to provide a second chance for out-of-school youth to reintegrate into formal education or acquire essential employable skills.

BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, is funding the program over the next two years to help bridge the education gap in the region. The partnership seeks to reach 3,000 adolescents aged 10 to 19, equipping them with learning opportunities that can improve their futures.

BARMM continues to face high poverty rates, limited access to secondary schools, and the country’s highest illiteracy rate. These challenges are worsened by armed conflict, political instability, and natural disasters, leaving many young people—especially girls, children with disabilities, and those affected by conflict—at a severe disadvantage.

The initiative underscores the importance of inclusive education in empowering the youth and enhancing their socio-economic prospects in the region.

In response, UNICEF Philippines has been collaborating with the BARMM Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education to expand ALS programmes, which offer flexible learning options for out-of-school youth. With BDO Foundation’s support, this joint commitment and partnership will enhance ALS access across the region, helping vulnerable adolescents rejoin the formal education sector, become more active in community, and acquire the skills and education needed for a brighter and more sustainable future.

UNICEF and BDO Foundation aim to address significant educational gaps in BARMM and increase the socio-economic mobility of youth in the region. By collaborating with local governments and communities, the initiative ensures the sustainability of ALS programs and delivers long-lasting impact for the beneficiaries.