Shaping a sustainable and inclusive future

MINDANAO is set to shake off its troubled past for a more sustainable and inclusive future, driven by effective policies and strong governance. The region fortified its commitment to development through the newly forged partnership between the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Capping off the first week of the 13th Development Policy Research Month, an inaugural development policy research forum – the first of its kind in Mindanao – was held last September 4 to mark the PIDS-MinDA institutional partnership. The full-day event focused on the policy research opportunities and challenges of the theme, “Advancing Mindanao: Toward Sustainable Economic Development and Balanced Ecosystems”. PIDS President Dr. Gilberto Llanto and MinDA Executive Director Undersecretary Janet Lopoz signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of their institutes, then delivered their respective remarks on the significance and the potential of the partnership. They were joined anew in a mid-day press conference together with Mindanao leaders from various sectors.

The policy forum proper began in the afternoon with a presentation from Mr. Oscar F. Picazo, PIDS senior research consultant for health, on “Green and Gold: Promoting Eco-Adventure and Cultural Tourism for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth”, followed by a presentation on “Developing Payment for Ecosystem Services Mechanism with River Basin Organizations in Mindanao” by Dr. Carmelita Martinez, a MinDA research consultant.

The forum’s day of firsts was also characterized by an unprecedented gathering of representatives from academic and research institutions, government and nongovernment organizations, and the business sector, lending not only audience but also a grounded voice to enrich the open forum that followed. The discussant roster included Mr. Vicente Lao, chairperson of the Mindanao Business Council, Engr. Wendel Diangcalan, deputy executive director of the Bangsamoro Development Authority, Mr. Reynaldo Navacilla, program coordinator of the Agribusiness Program at the Ateneo de Davao University, and Mr. Rogelio Acosta, executive director of the Allay Valley Landscape Development Alliance.

The potential and promise

In his presentation, Picazo posited that picking the right development opportunities in the tourism sector would enable Mindanao to capitalize on its rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Mainstream tourism as observed in more popular tourist destinations like Boracay is neither sustainable nor inclusive. Green and gold tourism are the alternatives precisely because they can be owned and ran not by large corporations but by local people and communities.

Green tourism is characterized by its objectives. Instead of luxury itineraries, what green tourism offers are the opportunities to understand local communities through their history and culture, to contribute to improving the local economy, to enable protection of natural areas, and to encourage and enhance heritage and environmental preservation.

Picazo urged the audience to think of the things that they already have – their history and culture,

their local economies, and the treasures of their natural environment.

At the core of capitalizing on green tourism opportunities is sustainability. Picazo shared the World Trade Organization indicators, which can be summed up in part as determining local government needs and capacities to protect and serve the interests and the safety of the area, the local community, and the tourists.

“The nature of tourism has changed,” he said. “Tourism has become experiential.”