A SURVEY OF CURRENT SOCIO-ECONOMIC ROUTINE OF

MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN ZAMBOANGA CITY AND

BASILAN

I. Introduction

It is of great note that the lack of livelihood activities or opportunities among

Muslims and members of ethnic minorities in Mindanao remains to be one of the

biggest factors in the negation of a lasting peace solution in Mindanao.

This study therefore is aimed at examining everyday socio-economic routines of

Muslims in Zamboanga City and Basilan, with emphasis on economic issues, in order

that a wider and more conclusive perspective may be gained on these aspects,

obtaining direct observations on the issues presented herein.

As a beneficial consequence, this study would bring forth highly-verified information

that will be entirely useful and significant to the development efforts in Zamboanga

City and Basilan areas contributing a palpable manner to economic development and

probably to peace efforts.

When the desired information and data is collated in the final results of this study,

government and other concerned entities --- such as developmental non-governmental

organizations and international funding agencies --- could gain insights on routines

1|Page
 and daily socio-economic and political activities or routines (especially on economic

or livelihood activities) of Muslims and members of ethnic minorities in Zamboanga

City and Basilan, thus, allowing a more effective creation of economic opportunities

for the subjects of this study, gaining initial foothold on a series of economic

activities that the respondents are more accustomed to, and are most convenient with.

II. Background of the Study

It is well known that continuous aids and sizable funding have been injected into

peace-building efforts in Muslim Mindanao, a region that continues to be torn by

conflict and strife between Muslim secessionist groups such as the MNLF and MILF

and government military forces.

It is also known that some of these livelihood programs often go for naught or results

to a low degree of success as their social impacts are adversely affected by conflict. 1

1
USAID/PHILIPPINES MINDANAO PROGRAM EVALUATION
IMPACTS ON CONFLICT AND PEACE SINCE 2000, Published by USAID, February 18, 2009

“However, the evaluation suggests that there may be a disproportionate emphasis on socio-economic
factors and not enough focus on improving governance and addressing the deficiencies of weak state
structures, nor on shorter-term recurring manifestations of violence that continue to block investment.

Conflicts between communities, ethno-linguistic groups and political entities, as well as conflict over
ideological and political aspirations cannot usually be solved through socio-economic interventions alone.

In order to achieve sustainable peace, an effective mix and balance of programs in Mindanao requires
attention to progress along both the political and socio-economic tracks. Therefore, USAID should now
shift more of its resources toward perhaps less visible but equally important, medium-term efforts to build
the supporting social and governance institutions and processes that will allow local leveraging of those
earlier investments, such as by mobilizing communities more actively to counteract the influence of
predominant local elites.”
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 It is on this premise that this study aims to take-off in an attempt to design livelihood

programs and other economic developmental strategies for Muslim Mindanao in

accordance with available resources and more importantly attune them to the routine

and daily economic activities of respondents thus allowing easier integration of

processes and methods. Like fish in water, economic assistance should help the

subjects embark on economic endeavors that they are most adept at not artificially

locating them in alien activities that they are not familiar with and where they have no

prior experience.

The study aims to:

1. Determine the best and most effective manner of

providing economic assistance to Muslim fisherfolk in

Zamboanga City and Basilan.

2. Help and assist them in the availment of economic

opportunities that they are more familiar with, thus

attaining proper matching of aid and respondent’s

capability not forcing them or inducing them to have

access to funding for projects that could fail due to

incompatibility between inherent capability and project

thrusts.

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 Thus, routine social aspects of the respondents would subsequently be collated and

defined as well as their political views and insights, for economic activities are

directly related to social surroundings and prevailing political environments.

An effective economic strategy in this region should be one of the best options in

resolving long-lasting conflicts and issues there.

III. Conceptual Framework

Figure 1.1 exhibits the basic structure of this study in a chronological manner. First to

be identified are aims and goals, such as poverty-reduction as gleaned from the

respondents queried in this study, as one of several means of reducing instances for

conflict in Mindanao.

The means of obtaining the end-results are mostly on enhancement of economic

capability. To gain high overview on this, the study seek first to identify the most

prevalent livelihood activity of the respondents and then working on its premise, the

study aims to generate information on how to most effectively alleviate economic

conditions of the respondents based on data and information gathered about their

basic and general socio-economic and political routines.

And lastly and most importantly, the study aims to find means and methods that

would lead to the attainment of the aims and goals of the study.

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 FIGURE 1.1

IV. Review of Related Literature

5|Page
 The review of related materials for this research work will focus on extant economic

theories that the researcher deems critical in the resolution of the hypotheses. Also

included are economic policies that have been applied already, experiences that are

related to the main issues of this study and previous studies made with aims and

contents similar to this work.

A.) Economic Theories and Principles

a.) Porter’s Diamond – In his work “The Competitive Advantage of

Nations”2, Michael Porter explained and discusses on how a nation can

viably be competitive in the world market, by learning to upgrade and

update and keeping up with the rest of the competitors.

He had emphasized that industries prosper due mainly to a vibrant home

environment, one that is forward looking, dynamic and challenging. Porter

enumerates four attributes that would enhance a nation’s competitiveness,

what is termed as the ‘diamond of national advantage’, namely factor

conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries and firm

strategy, structure, and rivalry.

These four attributes should interplay to hone a nation’s trade and

economic advantage.

2
Porter, M. E. The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: Free Press, 1990. (Republished with a new
introduction, 1998.)
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 B.) Developmental Studies, Policies and Approaches

a.) Strategies for the Development and Management of Agriculture3 - studies in

Third World agricultural economies showed successful agricultural

modernization process and state intervention. Two important characteristics of

East Asian agriculture are the impact of Japanese modernization under

colonial rule and the subsequent state-directed strategy based on a successful

program of land reform.

The experience of South Asia was dissimilar were agriculture stagnated and

lapse under colonial negligence and inattention.

b.) Models of Agricultural Development4 - In a study titled “Agricultural

Development : An international perspective” Vernon Wesley Ruttan and

Yujiro Hayami enumerates and distinguishes five (5) models of agricultural

development namely Resource Exploitation Model, Conservation Model,

Urban Industrial Impact Model, the Diffusion Model and the High-Payoff

Input Model.

Collectively known as “induced Innovation and Agricultural Development”,

Ruttan and Hayumi have this outline of their hypothesis: 5

3
Chapter 10, “Comparative Political Economy of East & South Asian : A Critique of Development Policy and
Management” by R.C. Mascarenhas 1999, Great Britain, Macmillan Press LTD

4
Economic and Social Development : Trends, Problems, Policies by Adam Szirmai, Prentice Hall, Europe 1997

5
WIKIPEDIA : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_Wesley_Ruttan
7|Page
 "The [induced innovation] model attempts to make more explicit the process

by which technical and institutional changes are induced through the

responses of farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, scientists, and public

administrators to resource endowments and to changes in the supply and

demand of factors and products. The state of relative endowments and

accumulation of the two primary resources, land and labor, is a critical

element in determining a viable patterns of technical change in agriculture.

Agriculture is characterized by much stronger constraints of land on

production than most other sectors of the economy. Agricultural growth may

be viewed as a process of easing the constraints on production imposed by

inelastic supplies of land and labor. Depending on the relative scarcity of

land and labor, technical change embodied in new and more productive

inputs may be induced primarily either (a) to save labor or (b) to save land."

C.) South Korea’s Agricultural Subsidy6 – South Korea’s subsidy program of its

farmers is one prime example in such economic method, which had resulted to

high-productivity for farmers and thereon very high food sufficiency for the

country, redounding to political stability that had allowed authoritarian

administration to wrestle South Korea’s economy from ‘poor agrarian’ in the

1960’s to ‘highly-industrialized’ today.

V. Methodology
6
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3809/is_n63/ai_11174350/
8|Page
 A. Focus Group Discussions

This research work utilizes Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as the main tool for

information gathering.

In these group conversations, issues pertinent to the objectives and aims of the

study are well-ventilated and deeply scrutinized. In this method, a forum is

thereby formed allowing free flowing exchange of ideas with unhindered

interpellations and cross-questioning.

The researcher seeks mainly to collect raw information without possibly the

intervention of sophisticated and educated views, enjoining primarily participants

that are target respondents of this study, which are the ordinary and routine

members of Muslim communities within the area of study, neutral of gender and

within the range of ages where individuals are mostly expected to make a living,

approximately from age 18 to 60.

The Focus Group Discussions were convened for actual conversation, maintaining

free flowing of ideas and sentiments. The researcher presented four (4) theme

questions, to wit;

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 1. What are your livelihood activities and what are the

most prevalent livelihood activities in your area?

2. What kind or form of government assistance that

best suits your needs, in relation to your livelihood

activities?

3. What is your view or opinion to the current

Mindanao peace process?

4. Give statements about everyday routine in your

community.

Probing questions were supplemented to support the main responses such as for

example the fishing methods or tools that are usually utilized for fisherfolks, the

cause or causes on out-of-school youth instances, the amount of time it takes to

harvest agar-agar (seaweed), the occurrence of privately-owned vehicles in the

area, the ages when individuals start to make a living, etc..

Actual Steps in the Conducting of an FGD:

1) The researcher proceeds to target location and ask

permission from local LGUs.

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 2) Designation of point man. Point man is oriented

as to targeted respondents or participants.

3) The researcher opts for ordinary individuals

without any prior guided information about the

issues to be discussed, and limiting barangay

officials to minimum.

4) Scheduling of meeting – time and venue.

5) Each participant is given fifty pesos each,

minimum of 10 participants and maximum of

fifteen. Foods and drinks are part of the cost.

Point man is paid higher fee, two hundred pesos.

6) The discussion is held in public areas like eating

places or barangay halls.

7) Conversations are recorded thru voice recorder.

8) After the discussions were held, researcher makes

follow up visits to clarify or confirm matters.

9) A verbatim account of each FGD is done.

10) Synthesis and summaries are subsequently done.

11) Overview and conclusion.

Focus Group Discussions were held in the following areas:

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 1. Mariki – a Muslim-dominated community of around 5,334 residents (2007

estimates) located within 3 kilometer from City Hall, south of the city. Houses

on stilts or built above seawater are easily observed and it has very high

percentage of Muslim residents, amounting to almost 97% of its residents.

Mariki began in 1975 as Sahaya Village program by the government, a socio-

economic component of the government’s anti-insurgency campaign then

against the rising and consolidating strength of the Moro National Liberation

front (MNLF). Most of the residents there were migrants from the chaotic

neighboring islands and provinces during those turbulent years.

2. Recodo – A seaside baranggay located northwest of the City hall and about 10

kilometers in distance, with a population of 17,754 consisting mostly of

Muslims with about 30% Christians, especially in areas near the sea coast. It

is an area in the city where boats are built and repaired with its coast having

been turned into a dockyard. Sardine factories are also located there that most

residents make their living supplying fish to them and/or working as sardine

factory workers. Most of the residents, particularly those living near the

shoreline, are fishermen by occupation.

3. Taluksangay – A traditional Samal-Bangingi tribal hometown of around 7,116

residents. Taluksangay is situated in northeast portion of the city and about 19

kilometers from the city hall. Due to its population make-up, nearly 100%

Muslims, it is said to be one of a few barangays that does not celebrate fiesta.

According to the website of Zamboanga City local government, it is where

12 | P a g e
 Islamic culture was first introduced in 1885 and where the first mosque of the

city was constructed there. .

4. Basilan – 80% of the nearly half-million population of Basilan is composed of

Muslims. It is an island province that lies south of Zamboanga City and this

proximity allows brisk trading and people movement between Zamboanga and

Basilan. Except for its capital town Isabela, Basilan is mostly part of the

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The southern areas like Sumisip

and Tuburan - where mostl Muslims resides --- are much-less developed in

economic terms and are prone to armed-conflict.

B. Interviews

One-on-one and group interviews were also applied as approaches in data

gathering, augmenting significantly the information initially collated thru Focus

Group Discussions.

In this method, the researcher visits Muslim communities and randomly

interviews individuals who are residents of these areas, neutral of gender while

targeting age range where individuals are already expected to enter livelihood

activities.

13 | P a g e
 The interviews were done on open locations where not only the interviewees were

present but other people as well, like passersby or neighbors, who sometimes

affirmed a point or an observation during the interviews.

LGU officials working within the community as well as traditional leaders were

also interviewed to support and verify the data gathered through the FGDs.

Areas where interviews were conducted:

1. Sacol Island – an island with four barangays within Zamboanga City

jurisdiction, namely Busay, Pasilmanta, Landang Laum and Landang Gua.

Farming is prevalent there just as fishery is.

2. Sirimon islands – is part of the 11 Islands group off the eastern coast of

Zamboanga City. It was known as “No man’s land” during the 1970’s when

the government’s war with the MNLF was at its peak. Most residents live off

the sea as a mode of livelihood. The Act For Peace Programme (ACT

MINDANAO) of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) 7

had just completed aid program there were 200 houses were built for the

residents and 30 pump boats were given as aid for fisherfolks.

3. Panubigan – 79% of the residents are Muslims with a thriving seaweeds

farming activity, along with coconut plantations.

City Hall. Comprising of 75% Muslims, the community started as a

reservation area declared during the American period, especially for Muslim

residents. Total population is 11,523 with 1,580 households.

5. Arena Blanco – 97% of the residents comprises the community about 10

kilometers away from the main city streets. Arena Blanco is actually an island

barangay at the mouth of Masinloc River, connected by the Mampang Bridge.

A sizable Badjao community resides here.

6. BFAR - Interviews with personnel from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources (BFAR) IX were also done by the researcher.

C. Public Documents & Data

Information available through government agencies and several Non-Government

Organizations are also utilized to reinforce gathered from the two methods

mentioned above.

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 D. Target Respondents

In the study generally chose residents within the area of study, neutral of gender

and within the livelihood age range of 18 to 60.

VI. Findings and Conclusions

A. Focus Group Discussions Verbatim Report

1. Mariki FGD (See Appendix 1)

2. Recodo FGD (See Appendix 2)

3. Taluksangay FGD (See Appendix 3)

4. Basilan FGD (See Appendix 4)

B. Focus Group Discussions Syntheses

1. Mariki FGD (See Appendix 5)

2. Recodo FGD (See Appendix 6)

3. Taluksangay FGD (See Appendix 7)

4. Basilan FGD (See Appendix 8)

C. Focus Group Discussions Summaries

1. Mariki FGD

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 a) Fishing or activities related to the fishing industry was cited as

livelihood of most residents in Mariki area.

b) Vendors and laborers are also prevalent.

c) Sikad-sikad and jeepney drivers are also mentioned.

d) Financial aid or grants such as micro-financing most

specifically are requested as form of government assistance, to

buy materials for fishing and for vending.

e) Specifically cited is for purchase of motorized Bangka and

fishing implements.

f) Scholarships for the youth.

g) The need for further effort in peace and order by the

government in the area, so that business activity would be

unhampered.

h) Cited also fairness and equality in employment in government

for Muslims.

i) There was emphasis on discrimination against Muslims in terms

of job employment and in grant of privileges, like scholarships

and livelihood programs.

j) Majority of respondents wants peace and unity when asked

about the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.

k) One respondent stated that independence for Mindanao should

be granted in order that peace will prevail in Mindanao.

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 l) Most of respondents are disinterested in the issue of peace

process, especially on the topic of MOA-AD.

m) Most youths do not go to college for financial and economic

reason.

n) College graduates in the area remains unemployed in their

respective fields, like criminology as mentioned.

o) There are no cooperatives or community organizations known

by the respondents.

p) Computer and Internet knowledge are mostly culled from

Internet cafes by youths.

q) Television ownerships is very prevalent.

r) Ownership of private vehicles is minimal.

s) Land ownership is minimal.

2. Recodo FGD

a) Fisihing or fishing-related industry is cited as mostly the

livelihood of residents in Recodo.

b) There are a number of the populations working in sardine

factories that are situated within the vicinity.

c) Women usually go to vending and buy and sell activities.

18 | P a g e
 d) Majority of respondents complained about the presence of

foreign fishing boats as they compete directly with small

fishers in the area for catch.

e) Most participants stated ‘capital’ or financial grant as most

needed assistance from the government, mostly for purchase of

fishing materials, like motorized banca and for start-up good in

vending.

f) Scholarships for the youth is also mentioned with statement

that present scholarship programs of the government for

Muslim minorities are insufficient and ineffective as targeted

beneficiaries are not served mostly.

g) Livelihood trainings and seminars are also cited as necessary

livelihood assistance.

h) Most respondents want peace agreement to be resolved, thru

dialogue.

i) Some stated dissatisfaction with the ongoing peace process

citing how it did not improved the lives of Muslims despite

years of negotiations and implementations.

j) One respondent stated that independence should be granted

Mindanao, citing that what belongs to the Mindanaoans should

be given to them.

k) Others want to have ‘peace and unity’.

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 l) There was emphasis on discrimination against Muslims in

terms of job employment and in grant of privileges, like

scholarships and livelihood programs.

m) Most youths do not go to college due to economic restraints.

n) Most kids go to school upto highschool level.

o) Computers are taught in elementary school level.

p) Youth gain knowledge of computer use and Internet thru

Internet café.

q) Land ownership is minimal.

r) Residential lot distributed thru urban poor mortgage program.

s) Cooperatives and community organizations are inactive due to

general disinterest of members and lack of support from

authorities.

t) Local Government Unit is supportive in terms of infrastructure

projects, community participation and in governance.

3. Taluksangay FGD

a) Participants agree on the fact that mostly in Taluksangay,

residents are depending on seaweeds farming and fishing.

b) The need for alternative livelihood as seaweeds farming is

often seasonal in harvest.

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 c) There is a lengthy period of waiting time before agar-agar is

mature enough for harvesting.

d) Financial aid or grant as general idea of effective assistance

from the government.

e) Lack of management or technical support cited for failure of

livelihood programs before in their area.

f) In the nearby Sacol Island, there is a sizable number of

farmers, mostly coconut farmers while others are also in

seaweeds farming.

g) Most participants agree that financial assistance to seaweeds

farmers and fishermen are the best means of help from the

government, allowing them to buy more materials and

seedlings for increasing seaweeds production.

h) In the case of fishermen, cash assistance will aid them in

purchasing more effective implement like a motorized Bangka

and fishing nets.

i) Participants state that there was no such assistance from the

government before.

j) There were also no cooperatives established in the area.

k) Income depends mostly on size of plantation area.

l) Education remains a serious problem in the area.

m) Youth mostly stopped at high school for lack of financial

resources.

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 n) Scholarships are not sufficient since the main concern is the

daily expenses of schooling like fare and meal allowances.

o) General sentiments towards the need for peace

p) Lack of livelihood is pointed out as the main cause for lack of

peace.

q) Participants agree that peace dialogue is the best means for

resolving the conflicts in Mindanao.

r) Most youth do not go to college due to financial concerns.

s) Others who were successful had transferred residences.

t) Computer knowledge is taught in highschool.

u) Youths learned to use computer and Internet through cafes.

v) Most residences own television units.

w) Transportation is mostly thru public transport.

x) Land ownership is not applicable since most houses are

situated in ‘free area’.

4. Basilan FGD

a) Fishing or fishing-related industry is cited as mostly the

livelihood of residents in Basilan.

b) Seaweeds farming become an alternative livelihood for

farmers waiting for harvest time.

c) A sizable number of the Muslim populations are involved in

farming activities mostly on abaca, copra and cassava.

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 d) Education was cited as primary concern in Basilan as schools

are not accessible in far-flung areas.

e) Financial grant was mentioned for livelihood assistance.

f) Lack of hospitals was also cited.

g) Scholarships for the youth is also mentioned with statement

that present scholarship programs of the government for

Muslim minorities are insufficient and ineffective as targeted

beneficiaries are not served mostly.

h) The need for technical and management assistance in terms of

projects, such as introduction of new technologies in

aquaculture.

i) Education is at a minimal as merely 30% goes to complete

college education.

j) Computer and Internet knowledge is at a minimal.

k) Land ownership is high.

l) Private vehicle ownership very mow.

m) Television as a form of media is very low due to lack of

electricity.

n) OFW’s comings from the area are mostly domestic helpers.

o) Most respondents categorically desire peace when asked about

the issue of peace process in Mindanao.

p) For peace process to succeed all concerned parties should be

involved, like the MNLF and Muslim traditional leaders.

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 q) Others want to have ‘peace and unity’.

r) Independence for Mindanao as not tenable for being not ready

and transitional phase was mentioned as a solution.

D. Interview Verbatim Report

1. Siromon Islands (See Appendix 9)

2. Campo Muslim (See Appendix 10)

3. BFAR Personnel (See Appendix 11)

4. Arena Blanco (See Appendix 12)

E. Interview Summaries

1. Siromon Islands Interview

a. Most of the residents in Siromon Islands and the other parts of

11 Islands are fisherfolks with minority comprising farmers.

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 b. Fishing methods are mostly thru primeval method like hook-

and-line, fish-trapping and thru fishnet. Fish-caging are done

sparsely and crab culture is still on the very initial phase.

c. Seaweeds farming are not so prevalent due to open sea

location.

d. Farming in nearby Sacol Island is more active. Crops involved

are coconut, cassava, corn and mango – among others.

e. Most respondents opt for financial assistance as mode of help

from the government, for the purpose of purchasing materials

for fishing like boats and nets.

f. The call for assistance in water supply and electricity is

prevalent among respondents.

g. The need for motorized banca was emphasized by most

fisherfolks interviewed.

h. Awareness of the Mindanao peace process among the

respondents is low.

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 i. Peace and unity were mostly stated by respondents when

asked about the peace process.

j. Access to education in the area is very minimal as the nearest

elementary school is still one boat ride away.

k. Water and electricity is major problem in the area.

2. Campo Islam Interviews

a. Most of the residents in Siromon Islands and the other parts of

11 Islands are fisherfolks with minority comprising farmers.

b. Fishing methods are mostly thru primeval method like hook-

and-line, fish-trapping and thru fishnet. Fishcaging are done

sparsely and crab culture is still on the very initial phase.

c. Seaweeds farming are not so prevalent due to open sea

location.

d. Farming in nearby Sacol Island is more active. Crops involved

are coconut, cassava, corn and mango – among others.

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 e. Most respondents opt for financial assistance as mode of help

from the government, for the purpose of purchasing materials

for fishing like boats and nets.

f. The call for assistance in water supply and electricity is

prevalent among respondents.

g. The need for motorized banca was emphasized by most

fisherfolks interviewed.

h. Awareness of the Mindanao peace process among the

respondents is low.

i. Peace and unity were mostly stated by respondents when

asked about the peace process.

j. Access to education in the area is very minimal as the nearest

elementary school is still one boat ride away.

k. Water and electricity is major problem in the area.

3. Arena Blanco Interviews

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 a. Most respondents are involved in fishing and seaweeds farming.

b. Most respondents request for financial assistance as aid from government.

c. Most youths there have no access to college education.

d. A patent lack of interest in the ongoing peace process.

e. Lack of water is a major problem there.

f. Most individuals go directly into fishing than seek education.

4. BFAR Interviews

a. BFAR personnel conduct livelihood and technical training to fisherfolks

and seaweeds farmers.

b. Devolution of BFAR powers and prerogatives to LGUs in 1988 has

rendered many programs ineffectual.

c. Many LGUs gives low priority to fishing industry.

d. Aquaculture should be encouraged nowadays due to overfishing in the

seas.

e. BFAR introduces new aquaculture technologies to fisherfolks such as

Tilapia raising and blue crabs culture.

f. BFAR distributes for free fishing materials and seeds for fisherfolks and

seaweeds farmers.

g. Lack of funding limits BFAR capabilities to help and assist fisherfolks.

F. Conclusion (PLEASE EXPAND CONCLUSION IT IS THIN AND LIGHT)

28 | P a g e
 Based upon the data and information referred to above, as gathered through Focus

Group Discussions in selected Muslim communities in Zamboanga City and Basilan,

as well as through one-on-one and group interviews, the following general findings

were gathered.

1. Most Muslims in Zamboanga City and Basilan are involved in the fishing industry

and seaweeds farming on an equal ratio. About 20% are into farming.

The methods and means of their trade and occupation are still based on very old

and very basic methods such as by hook-and-line and fish-trapping using make-

shift cages.

Seaweeds farming has very high volatility rate for diseases and rejections due to

improper harvesting and inputs of weight-enhancing additions such as salt and

cement.

2. Most fisherfolks and seaweeds farmers have opted for direct financial aid from

the government as the most effectual mode of assistance from the government.

The financial resources requested are mostly aimed at buying materials for their

livelihood activities such as motorized banca for fisherfolks and seedlings for

seaweeds farmers. Request for scholarships were also emphasized during the

discussions and interviews as well as for basic necessities such as medical aid,

water supply and electricity.

29 | P a g e
 3. Most fisherfolks and seaweeds farmers who had benefitted from government

technical assistance made statements about the lack of management and

marketing component of the programs. For example, discussants in Taluksangay

have mentioned projects initiated by (United States Agency for International

Development (USAID) wherein the residents there were given trainings in such

economic endeavor as processing of Spanish sardines and shoe-making. They

narrated how after the capability-trainings were completed, the trainors have not

returned to assist them in marketing their finished products. They suggested that

future training programs should have focused sustainability and management

component. They made comments such as:

From Taluksangay FGD (Appendix 3, Page 8)

SALEH BUHAINI : Actually, aheka na mintu mga projects makami. Mga

Amerikano ag buwan, aghinang mga sardinas maka mga tsinelas. (Actually

marami ng mga projects ditto ng gobyerno sa amin, yung isa nga galling sa mga

Amerikano, nagturo sa paggawa ng Spanish sardines at saka mga tsinelas)

YBM : Oh, that’s good. So what happened to the projects, was it successful.

SALEH BUHAINI : Insa dah, pag-ubos sin training, insa na pabalik in mga ya

bai ag training, yah mga products kami insa dah tabilli. (Wala rin nagyari,

pagkatapos ng training hindi na sila bumalik para tumulong. Nahirapan kami

nagbenta ng aming mga produckto.)

From Basilan FGD (APPENDIX 4, Page 11)

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 SULAIMAN SALI : Pero ang kulang duon yung mga information drive, mga

technical assistance kung baga, proper management, like for example kung

paano magpalagu ng agar agar…kung for example kung merong magtulong

mag-form ng cooperative, hindi dapat iwan kaagad sa mga tao yung cooperative,

dapat tulong sa management ang kailangan…follow up…

From Recodo FGD ( Appendix 2, Page 4)

LAYNA ABDURASID : Actually sabihin ko lang….Marami na rin nagpunta dito

sa amin tulad mo, mag survey, mag tanong ano ang kailangan dito mga projects,

pero hindi na sila bumalik. Puro pangako lang.

From Interview Series Campo Islam (Appendix 10, Page 1)

DATU SAMPANG : Siguro sa financial assistance…we tried to compel to have

cooperative but failed, kasi walang interest ang mga tao…Yung sa pag-loan,

kulang sa seminar, nandyan na yung tulong, pero wala ang capacity build-up,

wala rin…pwede siguro tulong micro-financing.

4. Most Muslims in Zamboanga City and Basilan prefers dialogue and peaceful

resolution to the ongoing peace process in Mindanao with a sizable portion of

respondents showing lack of interest in the issue. It is observed that primary of

their concerns are their livelihood and conducive environment for everyday

living. Note statements made in connection to this finding:

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 From Interview Series 11 Islands ( Appendix 9, Page 4)

YBM : Ano ho yung masasabi niyo sa peace process, yung MOA-AD?

BEN ADJABI : Ang masasabi ko lang pag merong livelihood ang

mga tao, walang gulo. Dapat ganyan.

ALIK ABDUL : ako basta meron peace, ok na rin ako.

From Mariki FGD ( Appendix 1, Page 11)

HADJI ARASAD : Iban ipasampay ku ambuuk concern, amun ha peace and

security, bang manjari in gobyerno tumabang tuud mapa-aun in peace daindi

kamu, para makapag-usaha marayaw in mga tao…( Gusto ko talagang sabihin

na ang kailanga talaga ay peace and order para maganda ang paghanapbuhay

ng mga tao, lalo na ditto sa amin)

From Taluksangay FGD ( Appendix 3, Page 11)

JAINUDDIN JAILANI : Bang saniya livelihood sin mga aa, saniya peace. (Pag

meron hanapbuhay ang mga tao, merong kapayapaan)

JAINAL BAKIL : Kailangan peaceful para pwede maghanapbuhay ng maayos.

From Basilan FGD (Appendix 4, Page 10)

MARNIE SALI : Peace talaga. Lahat naman tayo peace ang hinahanap ay

kapayapaan. Pero yung paraan kung paano makuha ang peace ang dapat

tutukan.

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 Yung sa Basilan, kung titingnan mo talaga ay yung kawalan ng equal distribution

of rights.

Yung mga namamahala, yung feeling nila, pag maykapangyarihan ka, kaya nila

gawin lahat ng gusto nila.

Yung mga maliliit na tao, hindi pinapakinggan ng gobyerno. Kung gusto nila ng

kapayapaan, yun talaga ang kailangan.

5. Most respondents and participants in this study --- Muslims in Zamboanga City

and Basilan --- are experiencing high incidence of deficiency in wealth and

resources, living very simple lifestyles and mostly in poverty and depending on

non-permanent incomes resulting to very low educational level or attainment for

most of them.

6. Lack of access to education is a general and very prevalent condition in all

Muslim communities in the study area mostly due to financial constraints.

Scholarship programs currently in place are not making inroads on this specific

problem and in fact insufficient to allow youths to enter college.

G. Recommendations

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 1. Primary of recommendation is state-intervention in the primary livelihood

activities of respondents and participants, in this case the Muslims in Zamboanga

City and Basilan, including primarily technical and management assistance. Most

emphasized complaints include government technical assistances that were short-

lived which lack follow-through. A more focused and widespread intervention is

necessary, updating capabilities of fisherfolks and seaweeds farmers, aimed at

increasing productivity and income-generation capacities.

2. Modernization and introduction of latest aquaculture technologies should be a

viable government intervention, introducing updated means and method as well as

tools and instruments. Overfishing in the area have rendered sizable reduction in

fish supply in recent years, with the presence of modern commercial fishing boats

which directly affects fish catches of small-scale fishing sector.

3. A widespread modernization and enhancement program for the fishing and

aquatic industry by the government is needed at this time as this would redound

down to a better upliftment of the lives of Muslims in Zamboanga City and

Basilan.

4. There should be emphasis on the management component of every technical and

livelihood assistance given by the government to fisherfolks and seaweeds

farmers in order to have high-sustainability and success ratios.

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 5. Values and behavioral enrichment among fisherfolks and seaweeds farmers are

also highly recommended as it was observed that lack of productivity could be

pointed out to work attitude and discipline in trade, where for example, some

seaweeds farmers have lost their reputation for having been caught to have

introduced alien materials in their produce, improperly enhancing weight. The

researcher also observed that most fisherfolks were merely contented of what they

could catch, without aim at increasing productivity or finding time to find means

of improving their profit, by seeking the attention of government agencies such as

BFAR or the Department of Agriculture.

6. A more comprehensive scholarship program for Muslims and indigenous people

should be initiated in place of the current program. Current scholarship programs

are insufficient and inadequate in financial terms, aside from not being responsive

to the targeted beneficiaries.

VII. Bibliography

1. USAID/Philippines Mindanao Program Evaluation: Impacts on Conflict and Peace Since

2000, Published by USAID, February 18, 2009

2. David Ricardo, “On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation”, London: John

Murray, 1821. First published 1819.

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 3. Bala Balassa and Associates, Studies in Trade Liberalization (Baltimore, John Hopkins

Press, 1967)

4. Porter, M. E. The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: Free Press, 1990.

(Republished with a new introduction, 1998.)

5. R.C. Mascarenhas, “Comparative Political Economy of East & South Asian : A Critique

of Development Policy and Management”, Great Britain, Macmillan Press LTD 1999

6. Adam Szirmai Economic and Social Development : Trends, Problems, Policies, Prentice

Hall, Europe 1997

7. WIKIPEDIA : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_Wesley_Ruttan

8. City of Zamboanga LGU official website : URL http://www.zamboanga.gov.ph/

9. ACT FOR PEACE PROGRAMME URL

:http://www.actforpeace.ph/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

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