READY TO GO HOME: This woman and her child are among the 200 families who will return to the Eleven Islands.
SIROMON ISLAND, Zamboanga City (Leah Bugtay / 04 Mar) It looks like a huge celebration is underway. Small boats in bright colors are scattered on the long stretch of pristine shoreline of Siromon Island. Two pump boats ferry people from two big fishing boats moored 200 meters away from the shore. Mothers watch over their children who are oblivious to the hours spent swimming in the crystal-clear, aquamarine waters.
A few meters away from the shore are some 500 men, women and young people huddled under a huge talisay tree. More than half of those present are original island settlers or their descendants who, for over 30 years now, have fled the island and have taken refuge in nearby barangays on mainland Zamboanga City.
“Gusto ko lang makauwi na dito sa isla namin at mabubuhay ng maayos at mapayapa (I want to go home to our island and live peacefully here),” says Yakub Baguil who is now in his 50s.
His desire to go home has remained a dream for more than three decades as Siromon Island is among the cluster of islands, which is considered as ‘no man’s land.’
Situated off the eastern coast of Zamboanga City, the ‘11 islands’ (called by locals as such as the cluster is composed of 11 islands) have been perceived to be the sanctuaries or jump-off points of rebels, pirates and other lawless elements to and from Zamboanga City and the islands of Sulu. The 11 islands are an hour boat-ride and another 30-minute jeepney-ride to Zamboanga City proper.
Residents have already lost count of the number of skirmishes between the government troops and the rebels or the number of bombs dropped on the islands in pursuing lawless elements.
During extended lulls between clashes, Baguil and other residents would go to the islands to farm corn, rice, cassava and banana or tend their seaweed farms during daytime and return to the barangays where they temporarily reside before dusk.
But Baguil’s dream of going back to the island is fast becoming a reality. The Mindanao Communicators’ Network (MindaComNet), in partnership with the Government’s and United Nations’ ACT for Peace Programme, is facilitating the return of the first 200 families to the 11 islands.
The Programme, which is supported by Australia, New Zealand and Spain, joined the government line agencies, the city government, private organizations and media groups in assessing the needs to rebuild communities on the islands.
Among those present during the consultation were the Departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, Environment and Natural Resources; Population Commission; Office of Muslim Affairs; Commission on Higher Education; National Statistics Office; Philippine Information Agency; Commission on Human Rights; Philippine Tourism Authority; and Zamboanga Economic Zone; City Government Office and the Office of Representative Erico Fabian. The different government agencies identify areas in which they can assist the communities.
Members of the MNLF, led by Akbari “Kumander Alvarez” Samson, also participated in the discussion.
“The fact that they sought assistance from the government means they still believe in institutions,” says Regional Director Chita Cilindro of the Department of Labor and Employment.
“There’s a need to assist the residents to improve the quality of their lives considering that for years, there is no intervention on the islands,” she adds.
The ACT for Peace Programme, which is being implemented by the Mindanao Economic Development Council, will provide houses for the 200 families to be built on the islands of Siromon, Lampinigan, and Cabugan as part of its support to strengthen peace-building initiatives for peace and development in Southern Philippines.
The Programme is assisting 163 peace and development communities, which were supported by the past three phases of the Government of the Philippines-UN Multi-Donor Programme, and will assist other communities in Mindanao and Palawan.
The other islands, which form part of 11 islands, are Semeddang, Bagias, Lambang-Lambang, Semandal, Baung-Baong, Bisaya-Bisaya, Salang-Salangan, and Pupu Shionga.
After decades of waiting, Baguil and the other families are now gearing to go home and re-establish their communities.
A few meters away from the shore are some 500 men, women and young people huddled under a huge talisay tree. More than half of those present are original island settlers or their descendants who, for over 30 years now, have fled the island and have taken refuge in nearby barangays on mainland Zamboanga City.
“Gusto ko lang makauwi na dito sa isla namin at mabubuhay ng maayos at mapayapa (I want to go home to our island and live peacefully here),” says Yakub Baguil who is now in his 50s.
His desire to go home has remained a dream for more than three decades as Siromon Island is among the cluster of islands, which is considered as ‘no man’s land.’
Situated off the eastern coast of Zamboanga City, the ‘11 islands’ (called by locals as such as the cluster is composed of 11 islands) have been perceived to be the sanctuaries or jump-off points of rebels, pirates and other lawless elements to and from Zamboanga City and the islands of Sulu. The 11 islands are an hour boat-ride and another 30-minute jeepney-ride to Zamboanga City proper.
Residents have already lost count of the number of skirmishes between the government troops and the rebels or the number of bombs dropped on the islands in pursuing lawless elements.
During extended lulls between clashes, Baguil and other residents would go to the islands to farm corn, rice, cassava and banana or tend their seaweed farms during daytime and return to the barangays where they temporarily reside before dusk.
But Baguil’s dream of going back to the island is fast becoming a reality. The Mindanao Communicators’ Network (MindaComNet), in partnership with the Government’s and United Nations’ ACT for Peace Programme, is facilitating the return of the first 200 families to the 11 islands.
The Programme, which is supported by Australia, New Zealand and Spain, joined the government line agencies, the city government, private organizations and media groups in assessing the needs to rebuild communities on the islands.
Among those present during the consultation were the Departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, Environment and Natural Resources; Population Commission; Office of Muslim Affairs; Commission on Higher Education; National Statistics Office; Philippine Information Agency; Commission on Human Rights; Philippine Tourism Authority; and Zamboanga Economic Zone; City Government Office and the Office of Representative Erico Fabian. The different government agencies identify areas in which they can assist the communities.
Members of the MNLF, led by Akbari “Kumander Alvarez” Samson, also participated in the discussion.
“The fact that they sought assistance from the government means they still believe in institutions,” says Regional Director Chita Cilindro of the Department of Labor and Employment.
“There’s a need to assist the residents to improve the quality of their lives considering that for years, there is no intervention on the islands,” she adds.
The ACT for Peace Programme, which is being implemented by the Mindanao Economic Development Council, will provide houses for the 200 families to be built on the islands of Siromon, Lampinigan, and Cabugan as part of its support to strengthen peace-building initiatives for peace and development in Southern Philippines.
The Programme is assisting 163 peace and development communities, which were supported by the past three phases of the Government of the Philippines-UN Multi-Donor Programme, and will assist other communities in Mindanao and Palawan.
The other islands, which form part of 11 islands, are Semeddang, Bagias, Lambang-Lambang, Semandal, Baung-Baong, Bisaya-Bisaya, Salang-Salangan, and Pupu Shionga.
After decades of waiting, Baguil and the other families are now gearing to go home and re-establish their communities.
No comments:
Post a Comment