Related Information  

Basilan Peace in Nature Protocol
(Malamawi Project Summary)

The Muslim Mindanao area has gained notoriety as a hotbed of terrorism and criminal activities. This image has become the biggest stumbling block to investment flows, not just in Mindanao but in the whole country, and not just from foreign investors but also from Filipinos themselves here and abroad. The situation is complex, and is characterized by the absence of PEACE rooted in Socio-Economic Inequities compounded by cultural and religious prejudices.

It is proposed that a concerted effort by the private sector be undertaken to bring forth the suppressed WILL of the four different Indigenous People (Sama Dilaut, Sama Bangingi, Yakan and Tausugs) for self improvement, respecting nature, their culture and socio-economic aspirations. All four Indigenous People inhabit Malamawi Island, an area that can serve as a microcosm of the situation in Mindanao. Such aspirations can be integrated and packaged into an Eco-Tourism based socio-economic development program.

For purposes of showing the strength of resolve by the private sector to directly address the causes of the lack of peace, and to support the community aspirations on socio-economic development, a "Basilan Peace in Nature Protocol" will be convened right in Malamawi Island itself. This will signal the acceptance both by the people of Malamawi Island of Basilan Province to open its shores to an Eco-Tourism based socio-economic development, and by the participating entities to support such display of self-reliance and grassroots development effort.

The approach is innovative in that it directly addresses the issue of peace-making, by private sector initiative, as a socio-economic issue, not political nor military. The convergence of concerned citizens and organizations (signatories to the Protocol) on Malamawi Island, and the expression by their presence and involvement can show the strength of resolve to pursue peace, and create livelihood opportunities. It also links up the Overseas Filipinos as Investors for Peace. But most of all, it attempts to combine the action of concerned citizens and organizations, and demonstrate, as Filipinos, that we can re-learn to trust one another and re-build our confidence in group action.

The local community will be directly benefited with the creation of the demand for support facilities, food production, heritage products, and tour related services. The funders will be given their due as resource providers. And at the national level, the highly negative image of a disturbed society principally citing the Basilan case can be reversed.

The same group of signatories to the Basilan Peace-in-Nature Protocol can likewise re-group to target other areas in the Philippines with their combined action. Eventually, the action may possibly be incorporated into a "Philippine Peace and Nature Campsites Inc. (PPNC)" as a multilateral joint venture among the participating entities.