Mindanao peace under PNoy
One of the greatest challenges of the government is how to reach a peaceful solution in Muslim Mindanao. The president went out of his way to go to Tokyo, Japan to meet with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as a sign of goodwill and to show his seriousness in arriving at a peaceful settlement of the Mindanao problem.
Despite this, the President was criticized by some people who are not familiar with the problem in Muslim Mindanao. The problem has plagued our country for decades. Presidents have come and gone with no solution in sight. It is hoped that with Benigno Aquino III as President, we will see this resolved.
First, the government has to come up with an education program for Muslims in Mindanao. Second, provide easy access to social services like hospitals. Third, stop the pratice of annointing a Muslim political leader who corners all the funds for Muslim Mindanao and uses it for personal interests. Fourth, let the people of Mindanao solve their own problems without much intervention from the bright boys in Manila.
Time and again, the solution of peace and order problems was sabotaged by some bright boys in Manila. War is not the answer, as proven during the term of president Erap Estrada. It is important that funds allocated for Muslim Mindanao reach the people in the form of education, hospitals and other services, not the pockets of Muslim political leaders.
Former congressman Gerry Salapudin told a seminar years ago in Davao City that education kept him from the war. He emphasized the importance of education as a key to stopping the war in Mindanao. Many Muslim political leaders keep their followers illiterate because this makes them easier to control.
Advocate educational reform in Muslim Mindanao and I bet in the years to come our Muslim brothers and sisters will find their own solutions to social problems.
Hospitals should be accessible. A former classmate of mine in the master’s program told me that in order for one to avail of medical care one has to go to another province.
Consultation is needed. Newly inducted senator Koko Pimentel can be instrumental in this.
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It’s an understatement to say that people residing beside riverbanks should think of leaving to avoid flash floods. Times have changed. When it rains, it rains so hard that landslides and flash floods occur. One solution is for the local government to free the three-meter easement of obstructions like what Cebu CIty Mayor Mike Rama is doing with Mahiga Creek settlers.
Now is the best time to enforce this law to protect residents near waterways. It should be made clear that rivers and creeks are beyond the commerce of man and that it’s best for politicians not to interfere with efforts to clear these areas of illegal settlers.
For one, these settlers know they are occupying riverbanks illegally. They can’t be considered builders in good faith. I think our government should be careful in dealing with them, many of whom are professional squatters who sell their rights to others for a fee. Providing relocatino sites will just encourage squatting by those who come to the city in the hope of eventually owning a piece of land for free. The government should be smarter than the illegal settlers.
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How are we going to deal with children who prey on tourists roaming our city streets?
Cebu City Police Chief Ramon Melvin Buenafe told me this is one of the difficulties of law enforcers.
Delinquent minors frequently victimize tourists in General Maxilom Avenue and Salinas Drive. Their nefarious activities are usually done in the evening, when there are no social workers around.
What are we going to do? Increase police visibility? I hope the community finds ways to help the police deal with these street-smart kids.
