The Study for Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development of Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao in the Republic of the Philippines FINAL REPORT CHAPTER 3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE AND ASSESSMENT OF CONFLICT-AFFECTED AREAS IN MINDANAO (CAAM) 3.1 CAAM PROFILE 3.1.1 Background on the Planning Environment In order to make Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) for CAAM, first of all the current socio-economic condition in targeted area on barangay level are to be fundamental factors. Therefore the Study focused on socio-economic profiling and assessment in the past trend of demographic increasing and its projection, GRDP distribution in Regions and industries. In addition, socio-economic gaps among national, Mindanao and CAAM averages, and development needs in CAAM are likewise analyzed in social, economic, infrastructure, environmental, and local governance and administration sectors. On the basis of the results of socio-economic gaps and development need, projects for SEDP could be identified and set forth. Development projects should work towards post-conflict reconstruction and involve exit strategies which, at present, is lacking in local communities. People living in these communities ultimately have the greatest need for timely and effective support to regain hope and to embark on the path to sustainable peace. It thus becomes imperative to re-think priorities of funds being subdivided between emergency, humanitarian relief efforts on the one hand, and reconstruction and development efforts on the other. As a result, many gaps have emerged and have been part of the challenges in terms of how the recovery process is managed in post-conflict countries. Therefore understanding the planning environment to address the pressing issues and challenges is often complex and location specific. These would include analyzing or understanding certain thematic concerns such as the background of the conflict, demographic changes, identifying the development sectors and sub-sectors, learning from experiences of other agencies or program implementers in CAAM, strategic interventions (projects) that would both push for development but at the same time protect the natural resources from unnecessary devastation or utilization. These provide bases for the strategies, programs, and projects to be identified in the latter stages of the Project. Information is gathered mostly from secondary data such as development plans and technical reports obtained from relevant government agencies, local government 3-1 The Study for Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development of Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao in the Republic of the Philippines FINAL REPORT units and the like. This chapter also includes a presentation of the results of the FGDs, Key Informant Interviews conducted by the Study Team. The interviews elicited perception of various stakeholders on the current peace process, on the impact of armed conflict in their communities as well as their thoughts on the appropriate roles of each stakeholder in the development of the CAAM. 3.1.2 CAAM Land Area The conflict-affected areas or CAAM is part of the Mindanao group of islands which is located in the southern most part of the Philippines. It occupies a total land area of about 5.6 million hectares or 55 % of the Mindanao Land area, the latter accounts for about one-third of the country’s total land area. CAAM is located within the six administrative regions namely, Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX), Northern Mindanao (Region X), Davao (Region XI), SOCCKSARGEN (Region XII), and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). CAAM involves thirteen (13) provinces, namely: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao (including Shariff Kabunsuan), and three (3) cities: Pagadian City, Isabela City and Marawi City. Table 3.1-1 Land Area of CAAM Provinces and Cities LAND AREAa AREA NAME (sq km) Region IX Zamboanga del Norte 7,301.0 Zambonga del Sur 5,914.2 Zamboanga Sibugay 3,607.8 Region X Lanao del Norte 4,045.7 Region XI Compostela Valley 4,479.8 Davao Oriental 5,740.0 Region XII North Cotabato 9,008.9 Saranggani 3,616.5 South Cotabato 4,428.8 Sultan Kudarat 5,251.3 ARMM Basilan 2,295.0 Lanao del Sur 13,979.4 Maguindanao 8,712.4 Marawi City 87.6 Isabela City 223.7 Pagadian City 333.8 a Land area is based on the 2005 Land Area certified by the Lands Management Bureau. Source: National Statistics Office and Lands Management Bureau 3-2 The Study for Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development of Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao in the Republic of the Philippines FINAL REPORT 3.1.3 CAAM Provinces and Three Cities It is important to note that, not all municipalities in the 13 provinces are part of CAAM. For example, only one municipality within both Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental are parts of CAAM. In general, CAAM consists of 148 municipalities and three cities, and 3,847 barangays. 3.1.3.1 Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Norte is situated in Northern Mindanao, bounded on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by Misamis Occidental, and on the south by Zamboanga del Sur. The province occupies a total land area of 7,316.19 sq. kilometers and a total population of 907,238 with an annual growth rate of 1.35%, which is slightly lower than the region’s growth rate, according to NSO as of August 2007. 3.1.3.2 Zambonga del Sur Zamboanga del Sur is occupying the southern section of the Zamboanga Peninsula that forms the western part of the island of Mindanao. The province has substantial reserves of natural and water resources. 3.1.3.3 Zamboanga Sibugay Zamboanga Sibugay has an approximate total land area of 3,228 sq. kilometer. The population of the province totals to 546,186, with annual growth rate of 1.30%, the lowest among the provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula (NSO, 2007). 3.1.3.4 Lanao del Norte The province of Lanao del Norte occupies the coastal area of northwestern Mindanao formed by the Iligan Bay up to the head of Panguil Bay. It links western Mindanao to eastern and central Mindanao and serves as the land bridge of Zamboanga peninsula to the rest of Mindanao. 3.1.3.5 Compostela Valley Compostela Valley is located in the Davao Region. It used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998. Its capital is Nabunturan. The province borders Davao del Norte to the west, Agusan del Sur to the north, and Davao Oriental to the east. To the southwest lies the Davao Gulf. Pantukan, the only CAAM municipality within the province, is considered as a flood prone area. 3-3 The Study for Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development of Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao in the Republic of the Philippines FINAL REPORT 3.1.3.6 Davao Oriental Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of Mindanao and lies outside the typhoon belt. It occupies the biggest land area of 5,164 square kilometers and represents 26 % of the total land area of the region. 3.1.3.7 North Cotabato North Cotabato, with a land area of 6,565 sq. kilometer, represents 45% of the whole region. It stretches west from Mt. Apo, which separates it from Davao, to the Piapayungan Range on its boundary with Lanao. In the midst of these uplands is the basin of the Pulangi or Rio Grande de Mindanao, the second longest river in the Philippines at 300 km, which rises in Bukidnon and flows south to Maguindanao and Illana Bay. The province’s fertile plains are traversed by tributaries of this great river. 3.1.3.8 Sarangani Sarangani province borders South Cotabato to the north and Davao del Sur to the east. To the south lies the Celebes Sea while it sandwiches at the center the highly urbanized General Santos City. The province is divided into two parts, separated by the Sarangani Bay, and it used to be part of South Cotabato until it was made an independent province in 1992. 3.1.3.9 South Cotabato South Cotabato is a province in the SOCCSKSARGEN region. Its capital is Koronadal City and borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east. Sarangani Bay lies to the southeast. 3.1.3.10 Sultan Kudarat The province of Sultan Kudarat is part of SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII). It borders Maguindanao and Cotabato to the north, South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City to the east. To the southwest lies the Celebes Sea. 3.1.3.11 Basilan Except for its capital, Isabela City, Basilan is an island province located within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Basilan is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula. Basilan is the biggest and northernmost among the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago. 3-4 The Study for Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development of Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao in the Republic of the Philippines FINAL REPORT 3.1.3.12 Lanao del Sur Lanao del Sur is a province of ARMM and borders Lanao del Norte to the north, Bukidnon to the east, and Maguindanao and Cotabato to the south. To the southwest lies Illana Bay, an arm of the Moro Gulf. Found in the interior of Lanao del Sur is Lanao Lake, the largest lake in Mindanao, where the Maria Cristina Falls, the largest waterfall in the country is located. 3.1.3.13 Maguindanao Maguindanao is a province of ARMM. Its capital is Shariff Aguak. It borders Lanao del Sur to the north, Cotabato to the east, and Sultan Kudarat to the south.