Ending neo-feudalism
Mindanao which is comprised by Agusan and Surigao provinces and the island towns are awash with precious metallic deposits: nickel, copper and gold to name a few while lime and coal resources are barely touched. The swamps in Agusan have veritable natural gas deposits and it tells us that oil is a big possibility. There are talks of deuterium as the last resource for energy and Surigao deep is said to have an infinite resource. Siargao of course has become a prime tourist destination especially for surfers who are in search for ultimate adventure.
The biggest mining operations in the country are in Surigao and Agusan, South Cotabato and even in the almost-forgotten-land of Tawi-tawi which are all in Mindanao. Billions of raw and processed ores have been exported worldwide from the crude piers in the these parts. But where do mining companies pay taxes? Answer: In Imperial Manila! Who gets the biggest share of the IRA? Imperial Manila. A federal government will correct this iniquity in that 75% of the income/ revenues derived from these regions in Mindanao will now be retained. There will be immediate bonanza. The gains of Mindanao regions will be a loss of Metro Manila.
Non-mineral resources are also found in Mindanao. Liguasan and Agusan marshes have untapped natural gas. Mindanao has its share of freak typhoons but it remains to be the veritable food basket of the Philippines. It’s the second largest exporter of Cavendish bananas in the world and the country’s biggest industry employer. It is home to pineapple plantations and the the seas around it are rich with marine resources. The biggest remaining coconut plantations in the country is scattered all over the island.
The potentials of every region in Mindanao are immense. Whatever the form of the Federal System be what matters most to us is justice and fairness in the allocation of wealth which had been denied Mindanao all these decades. It is time to put an end to treating Mindanao and other regions of the country vassals of feudal Manila. The ticket to freedom is Federalism.