Feature: Eleven Islands – from “no man’s land” to peaceful community

Zamboanga City — In an intensive effort to bring about sustained peace and development in Zamboanga Peninsula, various government agencies/Mindanao Communicators Network (MINDACOMNET), the local government unit, the military, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and civil society organizations recently gathered together and trooped to Siromon Island, to bring development to the eleven islands, an island situated off the eastern coast of Zamboanga City and perceived to be the sanctuaries or jump-off point of rebels, pirates and other lawless elements to and from Zamboanga City and the islands of Basilan and Sulu.

“This is the first time that we feel the enormous support from various groups to help us develop our communities,” said Kumander Akbari Samson of the MNLF during the core shelter project launching ceremony held in the area.

The government and the United Nation’s ACT for Peace Programme released some P1.8 million to the Western Mindanao Federation of Peace and Development Advocates Alliance, Inc. for the purpose.

The check was turned over by Sec. Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and ACT for Peace National Programme Director during the simple ceremony witnessed by Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.

“Let us help one another to make this place peaceful, to change the image of Eleven Islands from haven of bandits and lawless elements into a peaceful community, even into an eco-tourism destination point.” Sec. Dureza told the crowd, a mix of original settlers and guests from mainland Zamboanga City, many of whom were on their first time to set foot on the islands.

The ACT for Peace Programme provides 200 housing units as an initial assistance to rebuild the communities of the eleven islands that has been deserted for over three decades due to intermittent armed conflict in the area.

A peace covenant outlining interventions to develop the once so-called “no man’s land” into a peaceful community was also signed by the Zamboanga City government, the AFP’s Southern Command, the Philippine National Police, government line agencies and the community leaders.

The parties agreed to make appropriate basic socio-economic services and facilities accessible to the residents of Eleven Islands; conduct capacity-building activities for the community to actively participate in decision-making processes; and observe transparency and rule of law.

The signatories also agreed to recognize and promote the community’s cultural beliefs and traditions and to involve the community in any eco-tourism development on the islands.

The return of the inhabitants, who are mostly Yakan and Sama, to the islands, was facilitated by MINDACOMNET, an organization of government information officers and tri-media group.

Early this year, MINDACOMNET, in partnership with GOP-UNMDP ACT for Peace conducted social preparation processes, which included consultation meetings with the community to assess their needs, thereby rationalize development interventions for the islands.

The community of the Eleven Islands is among the new 100 communities to be assisted by the ACT for Peace Programme during its five-year implementation to strengthen peace-building efforts in Southern Philippines.

Supported by the government of Australia, New Zealand and Spain, the ACT for Peace is currently assisting 163 Peace and Development Communities (PDCs) in Southern Philippines, 22 of which are in Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Also present during the project launching and turn over of check were Maj. Gen. Eugenio Sedo, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division of Southern Command; Nasser Manalo, state chair of the Lanao del Norte State Revolutionary Committee of the MNLF; Dr. Edilgario Gonzales, president, Western Mindanao State University, officers from the PNP, officials from government line agencies and members of the community. (PIA)

Feature: The Baculin Seawall

by Lolly Fe Cepe and Leah Quintana Butuan City (27 July) — It was a cold night. Zenaida and the rest of the family members were in deep slumber when big waves rushing back and forth under their shanty awaken her. The wind blew so fast. She hurriedly woke up the members of her family and let them prepare their things for the worsening weather condition. A few months later, the sea level increased rapidly. Some houses were carried by the strong waves to the sea while others remained standing but heavily damaged. Zenaida was anxious, yet she remained calm. Carrying some of their belongings, she and her family, together with their neighbors rushed away from their houses. He little light from the moon served as the torch to flock of people and guided their path to find a temporary refuge. In this situation, the hills and the trees are the only shields that protect the people of Baculin, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. “We climbed the hills and hid in the woods because it was the safest place to stay. However, one must be brave enough to be with the wild animals, especially at nighttime, Zenaida lamented. With fishing as their main livelihood, the people were compelled to stay in Baculin, a coastal barangay of Hinatuan. Through the years, they learned to live with their environment. They have organized themselves and did not stop finding ways to lessen the danger posed by strong winds and big waves. Zenaida and the rest of the residents never ceased to hope for the day when what they have longed for will become a reality. The coming of Poder y Prosperidad de la Comunidad, a project funded by the Spanish government through the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional, which covers the whole municipality of Hinatuan, gave hope to the people of Baculin. Thus, the residents warmly welcome and actively participated with the project. With the conduct of a Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA) facilitated by a PODER Community Facilitator, the perennial situation of a coastal barangay like Baculin oftenly whipped by strong winds, big waves, typhoons, etc., that destroy their houses emerge as the number one problem. The people, through a barangay assembly agreed that they need to construct a seawall to address the problem. Hopeful and determined, Zenaida Llamas, barangay Sub-Project Committee Chairperson with some volunteers and their Barangay captain Gaudioso J. Olayan took the forty- kilometer, two-hour scary, back-breaking bumpy road travel to vie for the funding in the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum. In the MIBF, each of the 24 barangays presented the project concept and the forum prioritized the project concepts through voting. Barangay Baculin was the last in the priority list. Out of the hp 7.2 million municipal allocation, only Php 11,000.00 of the total project grant was left for the barangay, which others would consider too small for the project that needs Php 731,000.00. The case of Baculin caught the attention of Mayor Alicia Momongan. Without hesitation, she granted the lacking Php 720,000.00 for the construction of the seawall project. “Eleven thousand is something. We are not only talking of money in this project. This is all about achieving something and realizing dreams of our people, and PODER helped us do it. Now is the time that we have to give our share too, by augmenting the funds of PODER to attain the dreams of our people,” the lady mayor said. Achieving change and development involves good governance and well-determined community. With the support from the municipal local government and with the capability building activities provided by PODER, Baculin residents strived hard to change the harsh situation. Day and night, they alternately worked to finish the sub-project. Men volunteered to haul time stones while women patiently piled it at a site. During weekends, children helped their fathers carry the sack of stones. Other children prepared snacks for the tired workers. Some volunteers were assigned in procuring the materials. The others dedicated themselves in monitoring the construction of the sub-project. “It was never been easy. We had to do the construction work during low tide and stopped when high tide came. In spite of this, we never stopped working. I would always remind my co-residents that “if we sow something, we will reap something. Today, we are reaping the fruits of our labor”, a teary-eyed Zenaida expressed during the inauguration. With the existence of the 246 meters seawall, running and finding a place for safety from the raging waves would only be a memory for Zenaida and the rest of the community folk. The seawall protects them from the unpredictable weather condition. “From now on, we would be able to sleep well even if the wind blows heavily,” Zenaida claimed. (DSWD-13/PIA-13)

Surigao Norte holds tourism general assembly

SURIGAO DEL NORTE (July 27) — Some 200 tourism stakeholder from all over the province recently converged at the Provincial Tourism Council General Assembly held on July 13-14 at the Provincial Convention Center, this city.

The activity was graced with the presence of city Mayor Alfonso Casurra, Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, Congressman Robert Ace Barbers of the 2nd District, Robert Dean Barbers, General Manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority and Fernando Almeda, Jr., Chairman of the Provincial and Regional Tourism Councils.

Guest speakers including DOT Director Leticia Tan who were invited to grace the event shared meaningful inputs to fast track the development of the tourism industry in the province talk about ‘Tourism Frontline Service Delivery’, while Maricon Ebron, Head of Team Korea of the (DOT), discussed on “Tourism Marketing and Promotion”.

On the second day of the assembly, Dir. Edwin Trompeta of DOT Region VI presented to the provincial stakeholders the Boracay Experience, The Socio Economic, Environmental and Cultural Impact of Tourism Development while Dir. Ronaldo Tiotuico of DOT Region III talk on the significance of community participation during his lecture on “Community-Based Tourism Development Initiatives”.

“The provincial government recognizes the value and importance of the stakeholders in sustaining the success of our tourism industry. For our successful provincial tourism industry strategy, the stakeholders must give their direct and meaningful participation and take the lead in all our efforts”, Gov. Barbers said.

Arturo Cruje, Acting Provincial Planning and Development Officer and OIC – Provincial Tourism Officer, on the other hand, said the province’s tourism programs are built on a strong industry-government partnership. “The industry’s stakeholders should strive to build a successful industry so we can achieve mutual understanding and unity in our efforts”, Cruje said.

Among those present in the two-day activity were the owners of the different tourism-related establishments in the city and province, provincial officials, SP members, officials from different line agencies and representatives from the academe and business sectors. The officers and members of the Provincial Tourism Council also came in full force together with the City Tourism Council and City Barangay Tourism Council. Also present were some municipal mayors and vice mayors who came with their respective Sangguniang Barangay Chairmen on Tourism, Municipal Development Planning Officers and designated Tourism Officers.

The PTC is the provincial government’s partner in the effort to maintain the province as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines and further aimed to increase international arrivals and raise tourism revenues.

In a related development, PTA General Manager Dean Barbers turned-over a check amounting to Php 5M (five million pesos) for the establishment of the Tourism Assistance and Information Center for Surigao City. The ceremonial turn-over was made after he delivered his message during the PTC Assembly. According to GM Barbers, this center will be strategically located along the Boulevard or at the Luneta Park of the city, to cater the needs of domestic and foreign tourists. After the assembly, GM Barbers proceeded to the municipality of Socorro for the formal; turn-over of the Tourism Assistance Center funded by the Philippine Tourism Authority. (PPDO Special Projects/PIA Surigao del Norte)

Free eye surgery offered in Lanao Sur medical outreach

Cagayan de Oro City (28 July) — Amerodin Ditanongan of Tagoloan, Lanao del Sur lost his eyesight when he was only four years old due to cataracts.

Now 11 years old, Amerodin was among the 100 fortunate patients who underwent free eye surgery during the recent medical outreach program conducted at the Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital (MSH) in Iligan City.

According to Lanao del Sur Provincial Chief Physician Dr. Mangoda Dima, Jr., the three-day medical mission was spearheaded by Governor Aleem Bashier Manalao and jointly conducted with eye specialists from The Resources for the Blind Foundation, Inc. and the management of MSH.

Dima added that the medical outreach program is a continuing project of Manalao under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 10-point legacy agenda.

Meanwhile, Masacao Ditanongan, Amerodin’s mother, thanked the governor and the doctors for giving her son and the other patients the chance to see again. (PIA-Marawi)

Abu Sayyaf tagged in businesswoman, son’s abduction in Jolo

The Abu Sayyaf is allegedly behind Thursday’s kidnapping of a businesswoman and her son in the capital of Jolo in Sulu, a police official in the province said Friday.Superintendent Ahirum Ajirim, Sulu police chief, told the Inquirer in a mobile phone interview that the Abu Sayyaf was demanding 10 million pesos for the release of Jackylyn Sildin, 58, and her son, Jeffrey, 29. The Sildins own a bakery and a pawnshop in Jolo.

INQ7