MPA paves way for peace and reconciliation

Rich in marine resources, the coastal barangay of Combo in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur should have been a model community for development. That has never happened because for the past 11 years, four local leaders and their families have been locked in a bitter conflict fueled by political as well as family differences.

The problem became a major concern when the local government decided to address the increasing threats to the municipality’s marine resources due to poaching by commercial fishers and destructive fishing practices. Labangan prepared a coastal management plan which included the establishment of a marine protected area (MPA) in the barangay, with assistance from USAID’s Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov) project and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Such a plan needed the support and involvement of the townspeople but as the technical working group (TWG) for the MPA saw it, any attempt at a community effort would be futile unless the warring clans were reconciled. Labangan Mayor Abubakar Afdal, Al Haj, initiated peacemaking initiatives and engaged the bickering leaders in a series of dialogues, together with the TWG and the town’s council of elders.

The families-in-conflict headed by Monie Mamasalagat, Menting Unto, Sukarno Mamasalagat and Osmenia Guimba realized the urgent need to forge peace and harmony among members of the community, and agreed to finally set aside their differences.

The reconciliation was formalized with the signing of a peace accord during the public consultations on the establishment of t he barangay’s MPA on May 11, 2006. The activity gave community members the opportunity to discuss provisions of the ordinance governing the establishment of their marine protected area. The four local leaders committed their full support to the undertaking.

Echoing the sentiments of the residents, Kagawad Motingting Tinggalong said: "Our barangay has been left behind for many years now. The reconciliation of our leaders will hopefully lead the way to development."

Barangay Combo is now in the process of rebuilding not structures but relationships for a united effort against the threats to their main source of livelihood. And together with seven other LGUs in Zamboanga del Sur that are supported by the EcoGov Project and the DENR, Labangan is now seriously addressing its coastal environment concerns.