Manila: A Filipino lawmaker is urging government executives in Mindanao to help change Mindanao's image as the "Wild Wild West" of the Philippines by promoting the island's other attributes such as a unique history and culture.
"It is a question of assertion on the part of the regional government to make it a point to put their resources, energy and focus to promote genuine change, continuity and closure to the perennial problems in Mindanao," Senator Richard Gordon said.
Referring to a popular American television series of the 1970s, he said Mindanao has gained a negative reputation in the international media due to the kidnappings, sporadic bombings, and the law and order situation.
Mindanao, in particular, Sulu, was once again in the limelight after three members of the International Committee of the Red Cross were abducted on Thursday.
Gordon, chairman of the Senate tourism committee and chief of the Philippine National Red Cross, in a meeting with officials of the Regional Development Council of Region 12 and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said with good governance Mindanao's poor image would soon be forgotten. "There is no governance in area. Schools are decrepit; roads are bad; farm-to-market roads are non-existent and there is no focus on helping them solve their problem, or empowering them so they can conquer their own selves," he said.
Gordon is chairman of the Senate tourism committee as well as chief of the Philippine National Red Cross, also pointed out that the people of Mindanao should not wait for the national government, which is thousands of miles away, to take the initial steps towards lasting peace and development of Mindanao .
"You should define what Mindanao is and assert yourselves as a people. Manila is never going to solve it for us. It is never going to be a solution. Mindanao should be self-sufficient," he said.
"Use the weakness into a powerful tool to make things go around. Showcase the natural attractions and develop them into tourist attractions and encourage foreign investment," he said.
- with inputs from Edwin General in Sulu
