Vote for Mindanao

Vote for Mindanao

 

This year's national election is less than two (2) weeks away.  As always, and as expected, candidates often talk about the "Mindanao agenda" and the "Mindanao vote" in their campaign sorties.

 

The Mindanao Agenda

 

It is good to note that since the past few elections, the Mindanao agenda has been brought to the national consciousness.   It is no longer an island concern.  It is already a national issue.

 

Our leaders have finally realized that there is truth to the long lament that "Mindanao is the country's cash cow that gets dog food." It is more than just a sentimental rhetoric.   It is an established fact.

 

The vast potentials

 

Mindanao is the Philippines' second largest island, with 34% of the country's land mass and 25% of its population.  

 

The island enjoys a generally fair tropical climate, because it is situated outside the typhoon belt.   It grows most of the Philippines' major crops such as rubber (100% of national production), pineapple (91%), cacao (90%) as well as banana, coffee, corn and coconut (over 50%).

 

Mindanao is likewise endowed with rich mineral resources. Its metallic deposits include lead, zinc, ore, iron, copper, chromite, magnetite and gold. Gold mined in Mindanao accounts for nearly half of the national gold reserves. Its non-metallic mineral resources include marble, salt, sand, gravel, silica, clay, and limestone.

 

It is ironic however that Mindanao has always lagged behind the rest of the country economically.   Despite its size, vast natural resources, and comparative advantages in agro-industrial development, Mindanao's economy has been moving slow.

 

Far from the leaders hearts

 

One of the major factors of the island's  weak points is its distance from Manila, the country's capital.  Coupled with the lack of infrastructure facilities in many regions , the   businesspersons in Manila found it cheaper to do business with some neighboring countries than with Mindanao.

 

But more than the physical distance, what hurt Mindanao most was the lack of concern of the country's leaders.   The island is not just far from the country's capital, it was far from its leaders' hearts.

 

The island finally given attention

 

But as reported by the Growth with Equity in Mindanao, the 1990s ushered in a new environment that signaled the start of the island's economic turnaround. The national government shifted to more market-oriented and deregulated national policies, and increased the budget allocation for improving the island's physical and social infrastructure.

 

A vast improvement in the peace and order situation was brought about by the government's efforts to resolve the Muslim-Christian conflict. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was created in August 1989 to allow Muslims to govern themselves at the regional level. Thereafter, peace and development efforts were intensified.

 

The confluence of these positive developments created a more viable investment environment in the island.

 

The Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) was also created aimed at facilitating an integrated island-wide socio-economic development.

 

Despite these positive developments, there is still a lot more to do for Mindanao.   It is true that in terms of budget, the share for Mindanao has posted increases, but this is still insufficient.  There is so much catching up to do, after the decades of neglect.

 

Thus, the Mindanao agenda is even more timely and relevant.  And the most important in the agenda is the principle that peace and development in the island are closely intertwined.  One cannot exist without the other.

 

Thus, peace talks with rebel groups must be pursued.  That is the only way to attain lasting peace.   All-out war policies supposedly to eradicate the rebel groups have been tried.  They did not bring peace because peace can be attained only through non-violent means.

 

More public investments must be poured to build infrastructure facilities and to catalyze private investments as well.   When investor's confidence is low because of peace and order perception problems, real or otherwise, it is the government that must remain confident.   Public and private investments will generate more jobs, and the people will have an opportunity to improve their quality of lives.

 

The tri-people of Mindanao

 

The problem of Mindanao is not as simple as it may appear.  It is rooted in history.  Thus, leaders must be sensitive to the unique Mindanao culture.  The peaceful co-existence of the Moro, lumad, and the Christian settlers is the key to sustainable peace and development.

 

The Mindanao Vote

 

But is there such thing as a Mindanao vote for those who will champion the Mindanao agenda?

 

Based on our electoral history, it seems that there is no such thing as a Mindanao vote.   If there were a solid Mindanao vote, it would be easy for a Mindanaoan to win a seat in the Senate.  It would be even enough to elect a President for that matter.

 

Mindanaoan by heart

 

But must one be a Mindanaoan to push for the Mindanao agenda?

 

Not really.  Of course, the best person to fight for Mindanao in the House of Congress is a true-bloodied Mindanaoan who has a deep understanding and strong grasp of the Mindanao problem.  However, it does not follow that given a seat in the Senate, a Mindanaoan can or will truly advocate for the Mindanao agenda.  And even a non-Mindanaoan can push for the Mindanao agenda if he really understands that the said agenda will benefit the whole country.

 

It is good to have Mindanaoan leaders elected in the Senate. On May 14, 2007 , there will be four (4)    Senatorial candidates from the Senate – Prospero Pichay, Migs  Zubiri,  Koko Pimentel, Sultan Kiram – who will rely heavily on the support of fellow Mindanaoans.      And it is also equally  important to have other  leaders who have hearts for Mindanao. 

 

Indeed, one need not be a Mindanaoan to push for the Mindanao agenda.