Article II (Peace and Progress in Mindanao)

“Mindanao is a land of promise,” said the Dean of College of International Relations of Lyceum of the Philippines University and Ambassador Rey Arcilla in the GNN show “Talk to Harry” hosted by Mr. Gil Santos. It is entitled “Peace and Progress in Mindanao.”

Mindanao is the poorest place in Philippines in terms of livelihood. The main problems of them are transportation, source, money and lack of healthy foods. Some of the children are not studying because of the expenses. Some of the people are working outside the country but it looks like we are leaving our responsibilities as a Filipinos. According to Amb. Arcilla, what happens in Mindanao affects the whole country. Because we can’t separate the fact that Mindanao is part of Philippines and part of lumads and other minorities. It beholds its responsibilities for aspiring candidates.

The only thing they have is their “guns”, to avoid poverty. So they resort of kidnapping and other bad doings. It is their way to have food for their family even if they have no future for this wrong doings.

The candidates for election are helping Mindanao to sustain the activities on some areas. But in some cases, we must think of them who will be the greatest to have a place in the congress. If we just go by the survey, it’ not fair. We should think wise.

“I believe that the ultimate way to effectively address armed conflicts in Mindanao is by reaching a political settlement with rebel groups, achieved through careful but in the end, essentially rewarding peace negotiations,” The Government’s peace negotiator Secretary Jesus Dureza said.

The Americans are showing some interests in Mindanao. But why they are? Because the Americans wants a military base in Mindanao but they can’t with the Philippine government because they kicked out of here by the senate. It’s coincidental by Mt. Pinatubo eruption.

"If you want change, you have to demand it, and change begins with you. You have to ask yourself what is your role. If change is to happen, it must be up to us," Bagumbayan Party Presidentiable Candidate Sen. Richard Gordon said during the Panaghisgut-hisgut Mindanao Presidential Forum at the Ateneo de Davao University. He was called on the Mindanaoans to take part and be involved in the process of change if they want to achieve peace and progress in Mindanao.

Gordon is a co-author and sponsor of the proposed Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA) Act, which would primarily carry out economic and social reforms in Mindanao to ensure the growth and development that the island deserves.

The Mindanao Peace and Progress Foundation has a values that they want the people to know.The first is the Vision. It says, “We shall be a respected institution that is dedicated to help in building a prosperous and peaceful Mindanao. We shall be a reliable partner in achieving cultural and financial wealth for the people in Mindanao.” The second is their Philosophy, “The most effective way of achieving Peace in Mindanao is to build a strong economy in the area and a strong economy can only be built by a vibrant, highly motivated, and well trained people.” And the last is their Main Mission, “To ensure that all residents of Mindanao, especially our Muslim brothers, will have an access to high quality education, training, and experience which are all necessary to make them successful and their individual success will collectively bring Progress and Peace to Mindanao.”

The personal thing that we can do is to help them by praying to make the Peace in Mindanao be forever and to stop the poverty that their experiencing right now.