LOREN PROPOSES HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT FOR MINDANAO

DAVAO CITY, Aug. 27 - Sen. Loren Legarda today advocated a "holistic development" for Mindanao "to ensure that its people are genuinely happy and productive citizens of our beloved country."

Addressing a forum on the Mindanao Action Agenda in this city, Loren proposed a "holistic" or total approach to the problems of Mindanao, including peace and order, economic and social development, education, health, environmental degradation and harmonious relationships among the various ethnic groups.

Admitting that peace and security are urgent issues in Mindanao, Loren said, however, that they are only an aspect of development.

"We need to transcend traditional economic measures such as GDP and GNP and develop our social, cultural, and natural capital as well. We need to shift to a holistic development policy in governance. The development our people have long been yearning for is the development that is founded on sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, ecosystems protection, cultural resilience, and good governance," she said.

"Inasmuch as environmental degradation, disasters, and the diminishing passion for our own cultural legacies are occurring and are reducing the well-being and general happiness of the people of Mindanao, we must explore the various dimensions of development suitable for our people and strive to bring about improvements in these different dimensions.

"We must re-establish Mindanao as home to proud people who are diverse in culture and colourful in traditions and customs. In short, we must enable an atmosphere of holistic development that brings lasting peace and genuine happiness for the people of Mindanao."

She said the "national government should show its sincerity by ensuring appropriate allocations and appropriations of revenue allotments, infrastructure development and other basic services to Mindanao. The ends of the peace process in Mindanao should involve more consultations and participation of all concerned--communities, the private and business sectors, public officials, nongovernmental organizations, and the rest of civil society."

Loren also said that allotments for social services, particularly for education and health, must be increased and must continuously improve living standards for all Filipinos as these translate to long-term growth.

"In order to facilitate trade as well as to address a major problem in agriculture, a modern, comprehensive, and efficient transport system shall be built. Environment-friendly and efficient energy sources geo-thermal energy, solar energy, bio-energy, and wind energy shall fuel the expected boom in agriculture and industries in Mindanao."

Loren also said she would promote agroforestry in Mindanao to combat climate change and also encourage eco-tourism to improve the income of its people.

In the deliberations for the 2010 General Appropriations Act, Loren said she would propose several infrastructural projects that would benefit the Agriculture and Health sectors.

"Aside from that, we will tap the natural wonders of Mindanao in a manner consistent with respect to the environment with sustainable development.... Finally, we shall provide honest-to-goodness support to the Manobos, Lumads, Subanons, Tirurays, and T'Bolis, among other native Filipinos, who need government support and protection," she stressed.

"A new paradigm shift will bring Mindanao to the fulfillment of its destiny as a land of milk and honey, a land of peace and many opportunities," she declared.