ANAK Mindanao (Amin) Representative Ariel C. Hernandez on Tuesday lauded President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for recognizing the importance of the role of Mindanao in the development of the Philippines.

Hernandez said the President’s move to certify the bill creating the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (Meda) “shows that she recognizes the role of Mindanao to the country’s march towards peace and development.”

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President Arroyo has certified the bill creating the Meda after a meeting with Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla.

Mrs. Arroyo move in certifying the Meda bill bolstered the position of many government, political, business and civil-society leaders in calling for a permanent socioeconomic-planning body in Mindanao.

The Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) is currently playing the role of coordinator and monitor of island-wide development projects. However, non-government leaders in the island claimed that Medco is hindered in doing its work well because of differing development agenda of each occupant of Malacañang.

The Meda, once created, will integrate and harmonize all peace-and-development efforts in Mindanao.

At present, there are two versions of the bill in Congress, the Meda bill and the Mindanao Development Administration (MinDA) bill. These bills have been filed at the Committee on Economic Affairs.

In a statement, the Medco, said that “Mindanao continues to lag behind in terms of economic growth, poverty and human development.”

Six out of the 10 poorest provinces of the country are in Mindanao, while four of the five provinces that ranked lowest in human development are also located in Mindanao.

“Compared with Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao has the highest percentage of unpaved national roads at 37.81 percent; the lowest in irrigation development at 31.5 percent and the least in terms of farm-to-market roads paved at 19.68 percent,” Medco said.

But with the President’s move certifying the bill, the role of Mindanao in the Philippines’ march to progress is now taking shape, Hernandez said.

Hernandez, born and raised in Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental, has been doing his share of propagating his vision of peace and development in Mindanao as executive director of the Cagayan de Oro City-based non-government organization Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. (BMFI).

BMFI is leading the way in grassroots development in Mindanao through people empowerment.

As Amin representative, Hernandez is advocating for a stronger voice for Mindanao in Congress and for Mindanao to get its rightful and equitable share of the national wealth.

What makes Mindanao underdeveloped is that its wealth is being enjoyed only by Manila and Luzon, he stressed.

Records show that Mindanao contributes an estimated 64 percent of the national income but receives only less than 12 percent of national budget.

Aside from this, Mindanao also provides around 50 percent of the Philippines’ food requirement but has the lowest road density in the country.

According to Hernandez, an agency that will spearhead and integrate peace and development efforts in Mindanao is much needed, even as he stressed Mindanao’s unique socioeconomic and peace issues. (Sun.Star/Press Release)