OneWorld.net (U.S.)

OneWorld.net note: Despite the Monday break down of peace talks and revival of a decades-long conflict in the southern Philippines, this region "has great economic and social potential as the 'rice basket of the Philippines,'" writes Asia America Initiative Director Al Santoli.

• Economic disparities and ethnic tension have fueled violence between the Filipino state and post independence communist and separatist movements since the late 1960s, especially in the predominantly Muslim region of Mindanao, writes OneWorld UK. One secessionist rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), recently began calling for the expansion of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), an area awarded to them in a 1996 peace agreement.

• After a formal accord on the expansion of the Autonomous Region was blocked by the Philippine courts earlier this month, the MILF invaded the North Cabato province in the southern Philipines. The subsequent fighting between the army and rebels forced at least 130,000 people to flee their homes, reports the BBC.

• Climate change and natural disasters also pose serious threats to development in the Philippines. At the 2007 UN Climate Change Conference, the Philippines was ranked most at risk in the new Global Climate Risk Index, writes OneWorld UK. This June, Typhoon Fengshen claimed the lives of 224 individuals and displaced thousands more, writes the UN news agency, IRIN.

Building Peace By Fighting Hunger

From: Asia America Initiative

© Asia America Initiative On August 11, 2008 the elections in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao were overshadowed by breakdown of peace talks regarding the four decade-long conflict in the southern Philippines. Renewed fighting between government forces and Muslim rebels, particularly in the Maguindanao area led to some 130,000 people fleeing their homes. The new Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN], former Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, a Muslim democrat, says that ASEAN "can no longer ignore the ethnic and religious violence in the southern Philippines, southern Thailand and parts of Indonesia." (See, "A new miracle for tigers and dragons", The Economist, The World in 2008) In addition, the United Nations and the World Bank have issued warnings that growing international food shortages in the coming months will destabilize governments and intensify conflict in numerous areas of the world.

An extension of the Asia America Initiative's community-based Development for Peace program in Mindanao is an agricultural growth project. It not only offers livelihood to areas of Sulu [See "Fruits of Hope," Asia in Focus Number 20, October 25, 2007], but also in the central Mindanao province of Lanao del Sur [See AAI Website, "Finding Solutions for Food Shortages in Asia," posted June 9, 2008.]

Despite being known as one the world's most troubled regions and a hot spot for violence between Christians and Muslims, Mindanao also has great economic and social potential as the "rice basket of the Philippines." The region's abundant farm fields and off-shore fisheries can help the entire country rise above the scourge of hunger and poverty. The export of some of its crops through the United Nations and commercial means can be the cornerstone for peace, as well as help to feed less fortunate regions.

In July 2008, Ms. Rohaniza Sumndad, AAI's Philippine Program Coordinator, made a working visit to Lanao del Sur. She focused on four component areas: health, education, agriculture and environment. The emphasis of her mission was to stabilize the peace process by creating livelihood opportunities within agricultural communities. Four decades of conflict and new instability have put more stress on one of the least developed areas of the nation. After interviewing scores of officials, traditional leaders, teachers, doctors, farmers and students, she wrote the following [condensed] assessment:

Overall, Mindanao is known to be the Land of Promise - where resources are vast but not much development has occurred because of the unstable peace and order situation. Years have passed and Mindanao still ranks the lowest in all areas - education, health and economy. Muslims and Christians in Mindanao continue to survive while facing the fear of armed conflict. With the situation that Mindanao is in today, can we say that Mindanao can still be the Land of Promise? Is there a chance for Mindanao to grow, for its children to have decent education, and eventually be the breadbasket of the Philippines due to its innate natural resources?

These are some of my thoughts during my recent visit to Lanao del Sur:

I have always thought that peace is definitely achievable but my concern is when peace will be completely achieved. I have to admit that reaching the ultimate goal of peace would take time. The Asia America Initiative has always envisioned its work for peace and development in Mindanao in a progressive manner. We believe that the key to peace is through education, health, community building and economic development. We describe our approach as "building a culture of peace one step at a time."

As we are expanding our Development for Peace Program in Lanao del Sur, my visit in July 2008 was an eye-opener. Having meetings with the Provincial Governor, Provincial Agriculturist, Department of Education, Health Sector and Philippine National Police gave me a holistic picture of how AAI's program should approach the province. Our Development for Peace in Sulu Program has become successful because of community consultations and community counterpart to encourage local empowerment. These are the fundamental principles that we have consistently utilized to make our projects owned and safeguarded by the community.

In my visit to public schools, I found out that in this year's National Achievement Test, Lanao del Sur ranked the lowest with a score of 21.7 %. Most of the students in Lanao del Sur have lost interest in going to school because of conflict, poor access to schools (some students walk many kilometers to school on dirt or mud roads), no electricity and, of course, no clean water or sanitation. Some students would rather work with their families in the fields to survive poverty. Equally disturbing is that most of their classrooms are not conducive to learning. I saw pupils sharing one armchair and others sitting on hard floors on burlap sacks while listening to their teacher. Most of the schools that I visited like Macadar Elementary School, Lumbayan Nagui Elementary School, Andong National High School, Sugod II Elementary School and Pualas Elementary School, have no libraries, lack textbooks, tables, desks and chairs. Blackboards are so dilapidated that I could not see the teacher's writing. Clinics have no medical supplies and most teachers instruct eight subjects including the principal.

In as much as assistance in the Education Sector is needed, the Health Sector is in dire need, as well. Each district has its own Barangay Health Sector that caters to the needs of the community but lacks medicines, medical supplies and basic medical equipment.

I also had a change to meet with different associations of farmers. One statement, made by a farmer in Lumba Bayabao district, that I cannot forget is: "We do not want to be used again. We were promised by some people in the past to be able to assist us in our farming needs but they just took pictures, never came back and took advantage of the situation for their own benefit."

I emphasized to him that in AAI, we make sure that the assistance that we give is directly to our beneficiaries and we closely monitor their progress. That is just one of the sad stories that I heard which expressed the sad and bitter sentiments of the farmers. The farmers make the most out of what they have. Most of them do not have tractors, drying facilities, threshers and sprayers, but they find ways to be able to farm in order to live and feed their families. They could not even buy fertilizers because they do not have enough money. Fertilizers costs are 1,850.00 pesos or $42.50 per acre for families who earn less than $1 per day. Given all the things that they need and spend to prepare their fields and conduct their harvests, it seems that living a decent life is impossible. The vast farmlands in Lanao del Sur could feed the Philippines, but due to lack of resources and facilities, this is still impossible.

I hope that people around the world realize that PEACE is the key to development. Creating hope in a community that has suffered from conflict will inspire them to make the necessary steps to move forward. Mindanao has a CHANCE to still be the Land of Promise. However, as the number of persons displaced by fighting mounts, without the opportunities and tools that the people need, the lack of action by the international community will result in more conflicts and more suffering. The absence of peace is not just a result of armed force, but also poor education, hunger, poverty, an unstable economy, and poor access to health services.

Mindanao is still the LAND OF PROMISE. But only if we make and keep our promises to give hard working people a CHANCE to utilize their resources, whether human or environmental, of which they have been blessed.

APPEAL FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR REFUGEES IN MINDANAO PHILIPPINES

AL SANTOLI, DIRECTOR, ASIA AMERICA INITIATIVE

In the rain soaked fields of Pikit, Mindanao, thousands of families who fled renewed armed conflict between separatist guerillas and government forces, wait for food and humanitarian supplies. According to local officials and United Nations sources, some 160,000 persons, more than half under the age of 12, are stranded in monsoon rains and threat of being caught in unpredictable crossfire as the conflict spreads. The UN World Food Program is worried about the growing refugee population and Philippine officials are calling the situation "a humanitarian mess."

Asia America Initiative's Manila and Mindanao program is seeking assistance from international donors to assist humanitarian relief operations that we are coordinating with local officials and voluntary organizations.

AAI is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. For $20 a donation can support a family of 5 persons with powdered milk, rice and noodles for one week.

A contribution of $10 can provide 10 bottles of basic cough and cold medicines for refugee children.

$5 can buy a 2 stuffed animals to bring comfort to traumatized toddlers and small children.

To contribute, please visit our PayPal link on our AAI website at www.asiaamerica.org.

All contributions are appreciated and our work is fully transparent with photo documentation and public reports.

Contact:

Albert Santoli, President, Asia America Initiative

01-202-232-7020

Rohaniza Sumndad, Philippines Program Coordinator, Asia America Initiative

632-816-2613

To read more about peace building efforts in the Philippines, visit the Asia America Initiative.