I am a Mindanawon. In my opinion, the phrase “Mindanao: Land of Promise” is not a cliché. It is a fact. Let me tell you about Mindanao.
Mindanao is a beautiful island. Situated in the southernmost section of the Philippine archipelago, Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines. With a land area of 102,043 square kilometers, it occupies one-third of the Philippines' total land area and is larger than a number of Asian countries like Taiwan or Singapore.
Mindanao is strategically located within the East ASEAN region, almost equidistant to the eastern sections of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. This key geographic location underscores its potential to be a major transshipment point and center of trade in the region.
Natural Richness
Mindanao is rich in natural resources. A third of our land is planted with the country’s major crops – 100% of national production of cacao, 91%of pineapples, 90% of cacao and over 50% of coconut, coffee and corn. And of course – the pomelos, mangosteen , rambutans , lanzones plus our own salad bar of lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, cauliflowers, cabbages,etc. Our fruit basket of bananas account to US79.5 million of our exports; fresh pineapples at US 33.5 million and the tuna that we eat as sashimi at US 22.3 million.
So its no wonder that we contribute over 40 percent of the Philippines' food requirements and more than 30 percent to the national food trade
Mindanao is likewise endowed with rich mineral resources. Mindanao reportedly accounts for 80% of the national total deposits of copper, nickel, and gold. Currently, of the twenty-three major metallic projects operating in the Philippines, nine are in Mindanao (primarily in Surigao and Davao Oriental).Its metallic deposits include lead, zinc, ore, iron, copper, chromite, magnetite and gold. Gold mined in Mindanao accounts for nearly half of the national gold reserves. Its non-metallic mineral resources include marble, salt, sand, gravel, silica, clay, and limestone.
Cultural diversity and the island's natural beauty make Mindanao one of Asia's favored tourist destinations. White sand beaches, scenic volcanoes, vast orchid gardens, and various ethnic festivals are only some of its unique tourist attractions. Our tourism arrival was at 2 million from January-July 2005; hovering from 25%-25% increase in arrivals
Economy
Agriculture is the driving force behind Mindanao's economy. Close to a third of its land area is devoted to agriculture. More than one-third of the island's labor force is employed in the agriculture, fishery and forestry sectors. Mindanao accounts for over 40 percent of the Philippines' food requirements and contributes more than 30 percent to the national food trade. Mindanao's evenly distributed tropical climate makes it ideal for year-round crop production. If wisely harnessed, Mindanao's rich agricultural resources can serve as the Philippines' foundation for sustainable growth.
In the first quarter of 2005, Mindanao’s overall economic performance remained upbeat. Despite the uncontrollable hikes in oil and consumer prices, which brought down sectoral production from the rest of the country this period, Mindanao’s economy proved to withstand these pressures as exhibited by its key economic indicators. Notably significant indicators in trade and investments, and exports, among others, backed up the said performance.
The BOI and Phividec-registered investments reached P1.07 billion in 2005 posting a growth of 142% compared to its previous year’s performance; Exports sector in Mindanao exhibited a 13% growth rate; Cargo traffic growth reached 5.73% as well as a 1.99% increase in vessel traffic among the major ports in Mindanao; A stable labor force as employment rates reached 94.7% while keeping unemployment rate at 5.3%; and, Value of private building construction increased by 5.1% from P1.96 Billion in 1st Qtr. 2004 to P2.06Billion in 1st Qtr. 2005.
The banking sector likewise plays an important role in mobilizing the economic development of Mindanao. It has contributed in the development of many small and medium scale entrepreneurs, and serves as one of the safe places for deposits for the burgeoning income base of Mindanaons.
Over the last three years, the Mindanao banking sector has displayed modest increase in the number of banking offices. From the report generated by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) there was a 2% increase in the number of banks operating Mindanao, from 877 in 2003 to 896 in 2004.
People
The primary asset of Mindanao is its people. Based on the year 2000 census, 18.1 million people or a quarter of the Philippines' total population reside in Mindanao. The island is home to some 27 indigenous cultural communities, as well as migrants from Luzon and the Visayas. Rather than an impediment, the pluralism of cultures in Mindanao is a major source of strength, particularly in trading with its multi-cultural neighbor countries in East ASEAN.
Mindanao has a relatively young albeit highly literate population. One-third of its population is aged 15 to 19 with a literacy rate of 90%. The island also boasts a versatile, adaptive and English-speaking work force. Generally, Mindanaoans are known for their positive outlook, pleasant disposition and warm hospitality.
Opportunities and Development Imperatives
Due to its rich natural resources which surpass those of Luzon and the Visayas, economic opportunities in Mindanao abound. With the recent revitalization of BIMP-EAGA of which Mindanao is an organic part, economic activities in the island are seen to further expand. However, Mindanao's resources must be judiciously managed to ensure their sustainability.
In its drive towards economic development through global trade competitiveness, Mindanao's leaders must not lose sight of social issues such as poverty and peace and security. These likewise need to be urgently addressed to ensure the island's sustainable development. Economic development programs should be undertaken hand in hand with programs targeted at alleviating poverty and installing conditions that would lead to long-term peace.
Jobs and Employment
We have a total labor force of 8.2 million; 95% are working or gainfully employed while the remaining 5% or 430,000 are unemployed. These are the seasonal workers in the farms and the plantations. Due to our robust agriculture based economy, our employment rate is higher by two (2) percentage points compared to the country’s 92.7%. Majority of our workers are in the agriculture sector; followed by services and manufacturing. This is mainly due to the bright and upbeat economic performance of the economy despite the hikes in oil and energy. As to be expected, the resiliency of Mindanao withstood the pressures of the environment
Mindanao, the troubled island
Amidst its beauty, Mindanao is a complex island with its own peculiarities and intricacies. To understand Mindanao is to go back to history and look at the facets that contributed to what it is today. Over the years, Mindanao has seen the light of day and the dark of night, with hostilities stalking its shadows, and region-wide poverty incidence scarring its beauty.
For many years now, Mindanao is beset by numerous problems on peace, infrastructure development and poverty. It is actually an irony that an island that holds so much promise of prosperity is home to millions of poor families, especially in the provinces of ARMM, CARAGA and Northern Mindanao.
The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), in its 2000 poverty incidence report, showed all regions in Mindanao had over 30 percent of poverty incidence. At the provincial level, Sulu (ARMM) was described as the poorest province in the Philippines, with the highest poverty incidence level of 63.2 percent. Tawi-Tawi had 56.5 percent. Maguindanao; 55.1 percent; Lanao del Sur, 55 percent; Sultan Kudarat, 54.3 percent; and Camiguin, 53.1 percent.
In the 2003 poverty report, CARAGA with 47.3 percent, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with 45.7 percent, and Western Mindanao (Region IX) with 44.1 percent, were still among the top 10 poorest provinces in the Philippines.
Hope Lives
Precisely because of this scenario that Mindanao has attracted numerous international development projects, to aid it in economic, social and political development. Majority of the country’s multi-lateral donor agency-projects are based in Mindanao.
Among these are Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM), Microenterprise Access to Banking Services (MABS), Livelihood Enhancement and Peace (LEAP) Program, GOP-UNDP-EC Programme on Rehabilitating Internally Displaced Persons and Communities in Southern Philippines, ACT for Peace Programme, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) - Industrial Development Programme, to name a few.
The hope for a progressive and peaceful Mindanao is not lost. Many Mindanawon leaders and stakeholders are now working towards making that hope a reality. We have been promoting Mindanao’s economy through the BIMP EAGA, an economic cooperation scheme involving the four countries of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. We have been pushing for a Federalism form of Government, as the effective approach to address to Mindanao’s peculiar social set up.
The GRP-MILF peace process is still underway, but negotiation is getting better. The green-leaf bearing dove, the most common symbol for peace, continues to hover around, with no solid branch or agreement to rest on. Yet the fact that the negotiation continues is a proof that a peaceful Mindanao will not remain a dream, and federalism may yet be that hope.
It’s simply a matter of time before Mindanao delivers its promise in full.
Friday, July 21, 2006
MOTOR VEHICLE EMISSIONS : THREAT TO AGRICULTURE
Various studies would show that motor vehicle emissions is largely harmful to a person’s health . Respiratory related diseases afflicting both the young and the old have all been attributed to a high degree of street pollution. The health cost of air pollution in four cities (Metro Manila, Davao, Baguio and Cebu) had been estimated to be more than US$$00 million per year; equivalent to .06% of the country’s national gross domestic product (GHP)
Agriculture is a way of life in Mindanao ; so I was particularly struck by a study done in 1990-1995 in the United States that showed the effects of ozone air pollution on the agricultural sector . The document that I read noted the economic impact of air pollution on agriculture and said that a 25% reduction in ambient ozone would provide benefits of at least $1–2billion annually in the United States(US).
This paper extends existing research by estimating the benefits of a reduction in emissions from a major source of ozone formation: motor-vehicle emissions. An agricultural production model is combined with an analysis of motor-vehicle emissions and air quality to estimate the impacts of emissions from six different motor vehicle classes at both the regional and national level. The benefits to the agricultural sector from completely
eliminating ozone precursor emissions from motor vehicles ranges between $3·5 and $6·1billion annually. The detrimental effects of ambient ozone, even at relatively low concentrations are well established (Heck and Brandt 1977, California Air Resources Board 1987) .
Studies show that ozone enters plant leaves through the stomatal openings in the leaf surface and produce by products that reduces the efficiency of photosynthesis. Research suggest that ozone either alone or in combination with nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide may be responsible for up to 90% of crop losses resulting from air pollution . In an effort to address this problem, the Clean Air Act and its amendments in the US include air pollution damage to vegetation as one of the criteria by which air quality standards are evaluated.
There is an economic cost associated with this reduced productivity. There is a special focus on motor vehicles because they are the largest source of ozone emissions (Davis1997 ) and because of the growing general interest of the full social cost of motor vehicles.
International studies have shown that 25% reduction in the ambient ozone
would result to 1-2 billion dollars benefit to the agriculture sector of the US.
There were eight major crops that was tested and these were
corn, soybeans,wheat, alfalfa hay, cotton, grain sorghum, rice and barley.
The studies had indicated that ozone causes substantial losses to soybeans and corn.
Ozone formed from the emission of motor vehicles caused $2.0-$3.3 billion in damages to these eight crops. Gasoline vehicles cause much greater damages than the diesel vehicles because they emit more volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), which is one of the main precursor to ozone formation. These estimated damages are of course lesser than the damages done by vehicles emission to human health. But note that even a 10% reduction in vehicle emission may yield about $.05 billion in economic benefits in the US.
The issue of the hazards of air pollution and the gravity of it had not really sunk into the consciousness of many people in Mindanao. First, because we still have vast land resources as against the number of motor vehicles plying our streets. We still have the luxury of breathing clean air despite the large presence of vehicle emissions. We should not wait for the day when we become like another Manila where walking in the streets is like walking in the chamber of death .
Our Mindanao Land Transportation Offices(LTO) and the private emission test operators must show Manila that they have the political will to impose the emission test of motor vehicles with integrity. That the unscrupulous “fixers” at the LTO will come to their senses and realize that it is their family’s health that they are putting at stake for every “dirty” penny that they get. And that the vehicle owners undergo the process of testing and not circumvent the law by tolerating and patronizing corrupt practices in the testing process.
Remember that our people’s health as well as our fauna and agriculture is our only treasure in Mindanao!
Agriculture is a way of life in Mindanao ; so I was particularly struck by a study done in 1990-1995 in the United States that showed the effects of ozone air pollution on the agricultural sector . The document that I read noted the economic impact of air pollution on agriculture and said that a 25% reduction in ambient ozone would provide benefits of at least $1–2billion annually in the United States(US).
This paper extends existing research by estimating the benefits of a reduction in emissions from a major source of ozone formation: motor-vehicle emissions. An agricultural production model is combined with an analysis of motor-vehicle emissions and air quality to estimate the impacts of emissions from six different motor vehicle classes at both the regional and national level. The benefits to the agricultural sector from completely
eliminating ozone precursor emissions from motor vehicles ranges between $3·5 and $6·1billion annually. The detrimental effects of ambient ozone, even at relatively low concentrations are well established (Heck and Brandt 1977, California Air Resources Board 1987) .
Studies show that ozone enters plant leaves through the stomatal openings in the leaf surface and produce by products that reduces the efficiency of photosynthesis. Research suggest that ozone either alone or in combination with nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide may be responsible for up to 90% of crop losses resulting from air pollution . In an effort to address this problem, the Clean Air Act and its amendments in the US include air pollution damage to vegetation as one of the criteria by which air quality standards are evaluated.
There is an economic cost associated with this reduced productivity. There is a special focus on motor vehicles because they are the largest source of ozone emissions (Davis1997 ) and because of the growing general interest of the full social cost of motor vehicles.
International studies have shown that 25% reduction in the ambient ozone
would result to 1-2 billion dollars benefit to the agriculture sector of the US.
There were eight major crops that was tested and these were
corn, soybeans,wheat, alfalfa hay, cotton, grain sorghum, rice and barley.
The studies had indicated that ozone causes substantial losses to soybeans and corn.
Ozone formed from the emission of motor vehicles caused $2.0-$3.3 billion in damages to these eight crops. Gasoline vehicles cause much greater damages than the diesel vehicles because they emit more volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), which is one of the main precursor to ozone formation. These estimated damages are of course lesser than the damages done by vehicles emission to human health. But note that even a 10% reduction in vehicle emission may yield about $.05 billion in economic benefits in the US.
The issue of the hazards of air pollution and the gravity of it had not really sunk into the consciousness of many people in Mindanao. First, because we still have vast land resources as against the number of motor vehicles plying our streets. We still have the luxury of breathing clean air despite the large presence of vehicle emissions. We should not wait for the day when we become like another Manila where walking in the streets is like walking in the chamber of death .
Our Mindanao Land Transportation Offices(LTO) and the private emission test operators must show Manila that they have the political will to impose the emission test of motor vehicles with integrity. That the unscrupulous “fixers” at the LTO will come to their senses and realize that it is their family’s health that they are putting at stake for every “dirty” penny that they get. And that the vehicle owners undergo the process of testing and not circumvent the law by tolerating and patronizing corrupt practices in the testing process.
Remember that our people’s health as well as our fauna and agriculture is our only treasure in Mindanao!
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