Many Filipinos have these assumptions that there is no hope to resolve the problem between the MILF and the Government and that there is no other way to satisfy the grievances of the MILFs. Some say, that unless all the requests of the MILF are granted, all the peace talks going on will just be a waste of time.

Well, for me, I believe that their heads will surely cool down, if the government provides them with good projects and attention. As we continue, with our discussions, I hope we can all share our ideas, accurate informations and suggestions. Thanx

Re: Education
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has
approved the implementation of Basic Education Assistance for
Mindanao (BEAM) Project, Stage 2, to help improve the quality of and
access to basic education in Mindanao.

A continuation of the first BEAM project, BEAM II hopes to
contribute to the reduction of regional disparities in education
performance by targeting three of Mindanao's six regions—the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Southern Mindanao
(Region XI) and Central Mindanao (Region XII).

materials development, system development and support, increasing
access, and project management, monitoring and evaluation.

According to Jonathan L. Uy, officer-in-charge of NEDA's Public
Investment Staff, the project costs a total of P767.68 million. "Of
this total, P665.28 million (86.7%) will be funded by a grant from
the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), while
P102.40 million (13.3%) will be charged to the Government of the
Philippines as GOP counterpart," Uy said.

"Of the P102.40 million GOP counterpart, P33.30 million (32.52%)
will be imputed or in-kind while the remaining P69.10 million
(67.48%) will be provided in cash," he added.

Uy also said that the project is being proposed for a four-year
implementation, starting May 2004 until 2008.

According to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director
General Romulo L. Neri, the project is designed to address cultural
diversity and the current peace and order situation in Mindanao.
This requires more flexibility in organization and delivery of basic
education.

"Despite the inadequacy of a quantitative justification, the project
is considered a necessary investment because it will help improve
the literacy situation of both its target clientele in formal
education and those special groups (disadvantaged and isolated
communities) that will be accommodated in the non-formal education
delivery," Neri said. It is also expected to contribute to the
reduction of regional disparities in education performance, noting
that ARMM has the lowest educational performance not only in
Mindanao but also in the whole country.

Although the initial and primary target of BEAM Stage 2 in
integrating peace education is to mitigate the effect of conflict
and civil disturbance on the capacity of the system to deliver basic
education, Neri claimed the expected benefit goes beyond that.

"In principle, the peace education component will actualize
the "learning to live together" objective—one of the four pillars of
education accepted by the global education community," he said.
The "progressive engagement" strategy adopted by BEAM allows the
project management greater flexibility to respond to new needs and
opportunities with respect to activity-level decisions without
losing focus of the target output," the NEDA chief added. The
project also adopts various strategies for sustainability such as
ensuring ownership by the beneficiaries and providing capability-
building for staff that will remain in the system.

Stage I was implemented in 2002-2003 focusing on management training
for all divisions and increasing access to education for isolated
and disadvantaged Lumad and Muslim communities. Stage II, on the
other hand, has five components, namely, human resource development,

Yo Hap!

Glad to see someone here actually cares about Mindanao. My SO was born and raised in rural Gen San; she's Tausug and was educated in the public school system, all the way to college in MSU. I've been there for verious lengths of time both on business and for leisure, and I must say, it truly is an incredible and amazing place.

There are certain things people do not seem to know about Mindanao though:

1) Although there is a great Muslim culture and tradition there, Christians (especially Catholics) are still the dominant majority. Unfortunately, this is the root of most of the problems. For centuries the Muslims lived, settled and worked there. Then the Colonials came, bringing the medeival version of Christianity and smacking the Muslim silly, labeling him "Moro", "Infidel" and all other unsavory things, not knowing that to the Muslim the Christian is the infidel. Centuries of this schismatic policy will not simply go away, even in these so-called enlightened times. The Catholic provinciate of the Philippines should start right off with a unilateral and unconditional apology to the Muslim community of Mindanao for all the horrors inflicted upon them for "God, King and Glory". Muslims were there long before Christians, yet Muslims are treated as second-class citizens in their own land, like the Jews of early and mid-20th century Europe and the blacks in the US to this day.

2) Contrary to popular belief, politically the Muslim separatist movement in Mindanao is not that great. in fact the ordinary Muslim citizen does not give much credence to so-called "Muslim leaders" like Nur Misuari, the MILF Leadership and much less the Abu Sayyaf. While there may be small pockets of sympathetic communities in the hinterlands, these are brought about mainly by the "graces" rained down upon them by these insurgents / bandits. Most Mindanaoans - whether Muslim or Christian - would much rather prefer remaining part of the Philippines. If there was really such a massive support base for these groups, how did the AFP's Mindanao Campaign succeed so decisively and swiftly in 2000?

3) And speaking of the AFP, THEY are the real reason there is still insurgency in Mindanao and everywhere else in this country. No insurgency, no modernization. No modernization, no modernization funding and procurement. No funding and procurement, no KURAKOT! Did you know there are now more personnel assigned to headquarters and staff units than there are actually operating regularly in the field? You do not even need to go to Camp Aguinaldo, Fort Bonifacio, Villamor Air Base or Navy HQ in Roxas Boulevard. Go to even a Battalion HQ anywhere in Mindanao, more than half of the personnel assigned there are in staffs!

Mindanao may yet hold the key to our overall sustainable development. But it needs people like Hap who care enough to even write about Mindanao to the rest of you Imperialistic Manilans!

thanx joe for your enlightening informations and comments. honestly, before i was afraid to go to any part in Mindanao due to negative rumors about the mindanaoans. fortunately, i got the chance to go there for a vacation in davao (davao city, davao del sur and davao del norte). people there are very nice and warm. they are very hospitable and i had no bad experience there. it's very peaceful there, beautiful... it's like paradise there. not to mention low prices of goods. i got to know some people there. i have learned that mindanaons are broad-minded and kind. now i believe that they too can be as civilized as any pinoys around the country. please excuse me for my words. i now have a different view about the mindanaoans and i wish them well. i hope the government continues it's efforts to bring good projects to benefit your fellow mindanaons.

RESEARCHED:

Among the major SONA accomplishments in Region 9 are as follows:

About 41,490 consumers patronized 18 stationary stores established in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, which sold basic commodities at low prices such as rice, sugar and herbal and over-the-counter medicines.

In the health sector, 5 DOH-retained hospitals, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City are provided with low-cost imported medicines under the government’s GMA Pharma 50 Program with an average price savings of 52.9%.

Some 266,575 beneficiaries or 53,315 urban and rural poor families in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga-Sibugay have been enrolled under the National Health Insurance Program. Among the services covered by the NHIP include payment of room and board accommodation in hospitals from P200 to P400/day; medicine consumption from P1,500 to P16,000 (per single period of confinement); payment of professional fees of attending physician from P600 but not to exceed P2,500 per day. Philhealth also provides maternity packages for normal delivery and health packages for tuberculosis patients.

About 53,745 jobs were generated in Region 9 under the agricultural sector. Some 51,521 individuals were also placed for locally available jobs and overseas placement through the Public Employment Service Offices in the region. Training and re-training in ICT and in-demand skills were also given to 60,591 workers.

On the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization or AFMA, P404.44 million was utilized for the GMA rice and corn, high value crops, livestock, fisheries and DA-LGU counterparting programs. About 750 has.of new areas were generated and 4,175 has. of existing national and communal irrigation systems were rehabilitated to benefit 3,800 farmers. Some 31 farm-to-market road projects were completed including the La Libertad, Rizal, Sibutad, Manukan, Baliguian, Godod, Kalawit, Leon Postigo and Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte, and Dumingag and Tukuran in Zamboanga del Sur.

To help coconut farmers and to develop the coconut industry, the government enrolled some 84,154 farmer-beneficiaries in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur in the upgraded insurance coverage program, which increased insurance coverage of coconut farmers from P5,000 to P10,000. A total of 19,239 families in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Sibugay, and Zamboanga City were covered by the Coconut Farmers Food Access Program, which provided basic commodities at low prices.

Land distribution by DAR covered 9,289 hectares from January 2001 to September 2003 and patents issued by DENR covered 12,572.66 hectares from January 2002 to October 2003 in Region 9. The government also issued in July 2003 a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title covering 8,213.5 hectares in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte benefiting 1,144 individuals from the Subanen tribes.

In education, a total of 65 school buildings in unserved provinces in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga-Sibugay were completed or are due for completion by October 2003.

Likewise, about 3,384,535 textbooks were procured for Region 9 from June 2001 to December 2003, resulting in a 1:1 textbook-pupil ratio in Grades 1 to 6, and in the 1st and 2nd Year High School, except for English 3 (Grade 3) and Filipino 3 (Grade 3). For 3rd and 4th Year High School, the textbook-pupil ratio ranges from 1:1.2 to 1:3, except for Mathematics 3 (3rd Year High School) which has a 1:1 ratio.

On energization, 199 barangays in Region 9 were provided electricity from July 2001 to September 2003.

On relief and rehabilitation, the government provided relief augmentation and shelter assistance amounting to P1.04 million and 1,000 bags of NFA rice from May-June 2003 benefiting some 1,604 families in Region 9.

Likewise, about P43.5 million was provided under the OPEC funded-community projects in conflict areas of Mindanao (ARMM Social Fund) for 36 subprojects in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga-Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Pagadian City, and Isabela City, covering health and educational facilities, timber port, irrigation, and water sanitation projects, and training & capability building activities.

NOTE: WESTERN MINDANAO PA LANG ITO

RESEARCHED:

ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN REGION 10 (Northern Mindanao)

About 162,997 consumers patronized 5 stationary stores established in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental, which sold basic commodities at low prices such as rice, sugar and herbal and over-the-counter medicines.

In the health sector, 3 DOH-retained hospitals, 3 provinces (Bukidnon, Camiguin and Misamis Occidental), 4 cities (Malaybalay, Iligan and Oroquieta) and 4 municipalities (Kibawe, Bukidnon; Plaridel, Misamis Occ; and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental) in Region 10 are provided with low-cost imported medicines under the government’s GMA Pharma 50 Program with an average price savings of 52.9%.

Some 1,420,625 beneficiaries or 284,125 urban and rural poor families in Region 10 have been enrolled under the National Health Insurance Program. Among the services covered by the NHIP include payment of room and board accommodation in hospitals from P200 to P400/day; medicine consumption from P1,500 to P16,000 (per single period of confinement); payment of professional fees of attending physician from P600 but not to exceed P2,500 per day. Philhealth also provides maternity packages for normal delivery and health packages for tuberculosis patients.

About 108,453 jobs were generated in Region 10 under the agriculture sector. A total of 65,322 individuals were also placed for locally available jobs and overseas placement through the Public Employment Service Offices. Training and re-training in ICT and in-demand skills were given to 95,483 workers.

On the Implementation of Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization, P312.25 million for 2001, P144.94 million for 2002 and P65.61 million for 2003 was utilized for the GMA rice and corn, high value crops, and livestock programs. A total of 2,195 has. of new areas were generated and 8,512 has. of existing national and communal irrigation systems were rehabilitated to benefit 5,774 farmers. About 81 post-harvest facilities, such as multi-purpose drying pavements and meat processing centers, were constructed/rehabilitated while 67 post-harvest equipment were distributed. A total of 65 farm-to-market road projects were completed in the region.

To help coconut farmers and to develop the coconut industry, the government enrolled some 73,503 farmer-beneficiaries in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte in the upgraded insurance coverage program, which increased insurance coverage of coconut farmers from P5,000 to P10,000. A total of 29,267 families in Region 10 have been covered by the Coconut Farmers Food Access Program, which provided basic commodities at low prices.

Land distribution by DAR covered 13,664 hectares from January 2001 to September 2003 and patents issued by DENR covered 13,986.96 hectares from January 2002 to October 2003 in Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.

In education, a total of 56 school buildings in unserved barangays in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Camiguin were completed as of October 2003.

Likewise, a total of 3,468,151 textbooks were procured for the region from June 2001 to September 2003 resulting in a 1:1 textbook-pupil ratio in Grades 1 to 6, and in the 1st and 2nd Year High School, except for Filipino 3 and English 3 (Grade 3). Region X. For 3rd and 4th Year High School, the textbook-pupil ratio ranges from 1:1.9 to 1:2.1, except for Mathematics 3 (3rd Year High School) which has a 1:1 ratio.

On energization, 141 barangays in Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental were provided electricity from July 2001 to September 2003. On relief and rehabilitation, the government provided relief augmentation and shelter assistance amounting to P10.38 million and 2,600 bags of NFA rice from April-July 2003 benefiting some 532 families in Region 10.

Likewise, some P9.1 million was provided under the OPEC funded-community projects in conflict areas in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City for 9 sub-projects in education facilities, irrigation, health and water sanitation projects, and training & capability building.

The Jasaan Misamis Oriental Zone in Misamis Oriental was proclaimed on 20 March 2001 to respond to demands for ready-to-occupy locations for investments and has employed a total of 384 workers.

To help boost tourism in Region 10, the rehabilitation of Eco-Malasag Village in Cagayan de Oro City and construction of RORO ramp in Benoni and Balingoan Port were completed. Other infrastructure completed were the Davao-Bukidnon Road from Berda-Maramag (Campo-Uno Section) in Bukidnon and the Maramag-Kibawe-Kabacan Road from Pinamaloy to Damulog, Bukidnon.

RESEARCHED:

Among the major SONA accomplishments in Region XI are as follows:

In the health sector, 2 DOH-retained hospitals and 3 provinces (Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental), Samal City and 4 municipalities in Davao Oriental are provided with low-cost imported medicines under the government’s GMA Pharma 50 Program with an average price savings of 52.9%.

Some 241,790 beneficiaries or 48,358 urban and rural poor families in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental have been enrolled under the National Health Insurance Program. Among the services covered by the NHIP include payment of room and board accommodation in hospitals from P200 to P400/day; medicine consumption from P1,500 to P16,000 (per single period of confinement); payment of professional fees of attending physician from P600 but not to exceed P2,500 per day. Philhealth also provides maternity packages for normal delivery and health packages for tuberculosis patients.

About 144,882 jobs were generated in Region 11 under the agriculture sector. A total of 51,343 individuals were also placed for locally available jobs and overseas placement through the Public Employment Service Offices. Training and re-training in ICT and in-demand skills were given to 72,625 workers.

On the Implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization or AFMA, P157.29 million was utilized for the GMA rice and corn, high value crops, and livestock programs while P49.95 million was allocated for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects. A total of 2,962 has. of new areas were generated and 41,801 has. of existing national and communal irrigation systems were rehabilitated to benefit 24,309 farmers from January 2001 to March 2003. In addition, some 31 FMR projects were completed, and the Mariculture Park in Samal, Davao City was established.

To help coconut farmers and to develop the coconut industry, the government enrolled some 53,206 farmer-beneficiaries in Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental in the upgraded insurance coverage program, which increased insurance coverage of coconut farmers from P5,000 to P10,000. Likewise, a total of 13,513 families in Region 11 have been covered by the Coconut Farmers Food Access Program, which provided basic commodities at low prices.

Land distribution by DAR covered 13,228 hectares from January 2001 to April 2003 and signed patents covered 10,542.65 hectares from January 2002 to June 2003 in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental. The government also approved in March 2003 the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim covering 19,151.44 hectares in Boston, Davao Oriental to benefit 3,259 individuals from the Mandaya tribe.

In education, a total of 20 school buildings in unserved barangays in Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Compostela Valley were completed or are due for completion by July 2003

Likewise, about 6,089,331 textbooks were procured for Region 11 resulting in a 1:1 textbook-pupil ratio in Grades 1 to 6, and in the 1st and 2nd Year High School, except for Filipino 3 and English 3 (Grade 3). For 3rd and 4th Year High School, the textbook-pupil ratio ranges from 1:1.8 to 1:2.1, except for Mathematics 3 (3rd Year High School) which has a 1:1 ratio.

On energization, 113 barangays in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental were provided electricity from July 2001 to June 2003.

On the rehabilitation of conflict areas in Mindanao, some P2.5 M was provided under the OPEC funded-community projects including 3 sub-projects for health, timber port, irrigation, and training & capability building activities in Davao del Sur.