The long and difficult process of framing an agreement that will hopefully lay the basis for peace and prosperity in our Bangsamoro areas is drawing to a close. I am sure not many of us have given much attention to the Bangsamoro peace talks. Those who did likely focused on the sexier provisions on power and wealth sharing and the impact on national sovereignty among other headline grabbing sides of it.
While the legal aspects of the Bangsamoro agreement are important, I think these are just the beginning. We have been on this road before and things didn’t work out as promised because among others, the economic elements were not addressed.
Even before the next steps such as the crafting of the proper laws to put the framework agreement in effect, enough confidence must be generated that Bangsamoro is economically viable too. The failure of the old ARMM arises from a lack of attention to this crucial aspect. Grinding poverty and lack of opportunity strengthened an existing warlord system that gave us the Ampatuan massacre.
The good news is, this time they are giving economics a serious thought. Last week, they kicked off the formulation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) that will provide a short and medium-term development strategy for the Bangsamoro areas.
It is so encouraging to see the wide interest and support being given by various groups in helping formulate this plan. The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), for one, has participated in workshops to help set the proper framework for Bangsamoro’s economic development.
What I like best is the chance to do things right this time in terms of having the right economic policies and structures. There are so many things wrong in the economic policies for the entire country but there is so much inertia in correcting the wrongs. With Bangsamoro, we have a clean slate.
Specifically, the BDP will identify investments and programs to promote inclusive growth, stability, and help create jobs in the Bangsamoro. The planning process is spearheaded by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), MILF’s development arm.
The planning process for the BDP is funded by a $540,000 grant from the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF) administered by the World Bank. Started in 2006, the MTF is a $28 million multi-donor facility that supports economic and social recovery and promotes inclusive and effective governance in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.
World Bank country director Motoo Konishi said the crafting of the Bangsamoro Development Plan will demonstrate how the government and the MILF—with the support of development partners, civil society groups, private sector and other stakeholders can work together.
The plan is taking in mind global lessons on how to successfully address the roots of violent conflict, Mr. Konishi said. For one, there is a need to deliver a tangible dividend to communities from the peace process… show that peace improves lives.
The plan will include items not too different from what our other communities need… education, health services, job creation. But in our Bangsamoro areas, the needs are even more urgent.
The first workshop FEF participated in last year was designed as an inclusive and consultative process to help determine the important issues affecting the climate for business and investment in the Bangsamoro. It also explored the policy and institutional options that would help lay the foundations for a robust and productive private sector.
The report on the workshop noted that the experience of other countries and regions emerging from conflict shows that there is something of a “chicken-and-egg†situation with law and order and private investment. Job creating investments won’t come in unless safety and security is assured. Employment creation, on the other hand, is seen as an extremely important instrument in restoring law and order.
But unemployment (and thus idleness) is also often cited as the most important factor causing young people to join rebel movements. Because assuring law and order will take time, they cannot expect private investment in business activities on the scale needed to ensure the kind of robust growth to meet the development challenges.
Potential investors will take the cue from the ability of Bangsamoro authorities to provide a clear signal that it will be able to bring things under control. Will Bangsamoro authorities be able to credibly deal with issues such as disarming and reintegrating combatants, outlawing private armies, resettling displaced persons, and reforming the justice system?
Of course the other well intentioned social program, CARP also failed because it was not grounded in proper economic policies. Intentions are important. Having the right policies and the political will to implement them are even more so.
Hopefully, we do it right this time.
Forbes richest list
I got this e-mail from PhilStar reader Lily Galace reacting to my column last Friday.
Hi Boo
I read your article today. I’m not sure we Filipinos dig deep when helping charitable causes. Sure we help Yolanda victims and help during natural disasters. But do we do it on a regular basis?
A relative who earns tons of money gives P20 to the Church on Sundays. I’m not much better, I used to give P100 but reduced it to P50 when I realized that my parish priest collects a lot of money from parishioners (of a fourth class town in Central Luzon) but no project to channel his vast collections.
In the last stages of my career in Australia I worked for The Salvation Army. I admired that Salvationists give 10 percent of their GROSS income to their Church. I realized that many people tithed but I know I couldn’t. I was the eldest of 10 children and was expected to help with family needs. So I gave a commitment, to myself, to give one percent of my income. I never reached that.
When I studied in a woman’s Catholic school, the dean liked to tell us we belonged to the top 10 percent of the country economically, but never told us there were responsibilities that came with it. The very rich and not too rich are not aware of their obligations to society. Those in authority (school, church, government) did/do not make us aware that wealth and privileges come with compassion for the poor and needy.
I am not suggesting giving to beggars all the time. Sometimes we do not know until someone tells us. When I take a tricycle in our town, I would get the P3 change from a P12 fare until a friend said to me she does not get back small change as the drivers need it more than she does (why did I not think of that myself?).
When I took a taxi to my brother’s home the other day to a nice house in a nice subdivision, I gave P200 on a P190 fare. The driver asked me for P10 more as he claims it will take him sometime to get out of the subdivision without fare. I hesitated; I already gave him P10 extra. Then I realized, P10 would mean a lot to him, it won’t cause a dent in my wallet. I gave it.
Columnists like you are very influential. Perhaps you can tell your non-billionaire readers to be more open to those who need it more – tips to your taxi drivers, hairdressers, manicurists.
And how about being more generous to your maids, let them eat what you eat, more generous bonuses when you receive a bonus from the company you work for. How about giving more to your Church and initiating projects to improve the well being of poorer parishioners.
I have been a recent recipient of a large donation. Our maid’s 6-year old daughter had a congenital defect that required neuro-surgery. The maid tried to get one through medical missions but there were no skilled doctors available.
When I went to Australia a few months ago, I related the need to a friend (non-Filipino) of many years. She readily gave me $5,500 and told me she’ll give more if required. The real recipient is a total stranger to her. I’m sure many Filipinos do this too, but we need more doing it.
Sorry I got carried away. Just my thoughts on an article that I am passionate about.
Typhoon Nakaw
From the Professional Heckler.
A petition asking PAGASA to name typhoons after corrupt politicians has been launched online.
But the weather bureau rejected it because there’s not enough typhoons to accommodate all the names.
Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @boochanco