UP MUSIC
TRACKING SHOT OF ISLAND
Voice Over
Mindanao…the southernmost region of the Philippines…torn by armed conflict and separatist movements for decades.
SITUATIONERS OF DAUD GUIAMA
But recently, there has been a different kind of revolution. One that is changing the face of Mindanao.
Not too far away in Maguindanao province, Commander Daud Guiama of the Moro National Liberation Front or the MNLF is inspecting his crops. Back in the ‘70s until the late ‘90s, this area was a hotbed of MNLF rebel activities. But today, the only war Commander Daud and his fellow ex-rebels are fighting is the one against corn pests and diseases.
OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT OF MILITARY ESCORT ON BOAT, CUT TO ELOL DRIVING SPEEDBOAT; TALKING TO SEAWEED FARMERS
UPSHOT SPEEDBOAT ENGINE
Hundreds of kilometers away, under the midday sun, MNLF Commander Elol Salim is making his regular rounds off the island of Sulu. A trader by profession, Commander Elol used to evade naval patrols while transporting untaxed goods from Malaysia to the islands of Tawi-tawi and Sulu and back. Using his seafaring experience, he also played a key role in organizing the combat activities of the MNLF fighters in the ‘70s and ‘80s. These days however, he is busy managing activities of a more peaceful – and profitable – kind.
BUMPER: A New Beginning
FADE UNDER MUSIC
DISSOLVE TO FILE VIDEO OF MNLF FIGHTERS
The transformation of Commanders Daud and Elol from guerilla fighter to peacekeeper and from combatant to capitalist is not unique. Throughout the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao or ARMM, thousands more like them have made the leap of faith -- from rebel insurgents to being productive members of civil society.
DISSOLVE FROM BUMPER TO STILLS OF ELAP/LEAP
UP MUSIC
Voice Over:
The United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development or USAID launched the Emergency Livelihood Assistance Program or ELAP in 1997, in response to a request made by the Philippine Government to help provide MNLF combatants with a means of making a sustainable living. Later renamed the Livelihood Enhancement And Peace or LEAP Program, the project supported the 1996 Peace Agreement, which marked the end of more than 2 decades of fighting between the Islamic rebel group and government forces. Of the 45,000 combatants who stood down, 7,500 were integrated into the armed forces and the Philippine National Police. The rest began life anew while waiting for some kind of peace dividend from the national Government.
DISSOLVE TO FILE VIDEO OF RAMOS & MISUARI DURING SIGNING OF PEACE ACCORD
DISSOLVE TO FILE VIDEO OF MNLF COMBATANTS
DAUD GUIAMA
CHARGEN: Commander Daud Guiama, former MNLF combatant
Among the non-military integrees was MNLF Commander Datu Daud Guiama of Barangay Kiteb in Talitay, Maguindanao province. A high school drop-out, he joined the MNLF in 1970 and was involved in active combat operations for more than a decade.
DAUD GUIAMA:
Subtitle: We joined the MNLF because government soldiers were already arresting a lot of men. Sometimes, they even killed them. So we joined the MNLF. We hid in the mountains where the soldiers could not find us.
DATU DAUD RIDING CARABAO WITH M16 SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDER AND DAUD STANDING IN THE CORN FIELD
Voice Over:
Upon the signing of the peace agreement, Commander Daud was among the first MNLF rebels to return to civilian life. Although he did not surrender his arms, he was nevertheless committed to a new and peaceful life. However, the transition proved more difficult than he expected.
DAUD GUIAMA INTERVIEW
INTERVIEWER:
Subtitle: When you returned from hiding in the mountains, didn’t you find it difficult to adjust to your new life?
DAUD: It was difficult because we didn’t have any livelihood. We didn’t have any capital. We tried farming, planting rice. We also planted native corn before ELAP came to us.
SITUATIONERS OF ELOL IN CO-OP WAREHOUSE.
CHARGEN: Commander Elol Salim, former MNLF combatant
Voice Over:
In contrast, Commander Elol says he easily adjusted to life outside the MNLF. Armed with his innate entrepreneurial skills, it wasn’t long before he engaged in a more lawfully acceptable business.
ELOL SALIM:
Subtitle: I went into the copra and abaca business
BUMPER: A Troubled Past
UP MUSIC
RESIDENTS OF LAKE BULUAN – MAN SWIMMING IN LAKE / KIDS PLAYING ON RIVERBANK; STILT HOUSES; KID ON RIVERBANK; KIDS IN ZAMBOANGA JUMPING OFF SOLAR DRIER
Voice Over:
Unfortunately, the situation in Mindanao was not the most ideal for the thousands of other ex-rebels who were then starting a new life. Years of violence and strife caused by the secessionist movement had left the area lagging in investment and development. Its population of more than 5 million Muslims was and still is amongst the poorest and least educated in this predominantly Catholic nation of 80 million.
FILE VIDEO OF PRES. MARCOS; MARTIAL LAW YEARS
UPSHOT SITUATIONERS OF USTADZ & NARIMIN
Voice Over:
The turbulent years during the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos also left many emotional and psychological scars amongst its people. Take Ustadz Napisa Guimaluddin from Buluan, Maguindanao and Senior MNLF Commander Narimin Hussin of Basilan. Both joined the MNLF to escape the random violence and persecution from Marcos’ soldiers in the ‘70s.
CHARGEN: Ustadz Napisa Guimaluddin, former MNLF combatant
USTADZ:
Subtitle: During martial law, most women joined [the MNLF] because government soldiers were chasing them. Some, especially the pretty ones, were forced to marry the soldiers.
CHARGEN: Commander Narimin Hussin, former MNLF combatant
NARIMIN HUSSIN:
Subtitle: It was very hard to continue schooling during martial law because [soldiers] controlled all our movements. We couldn’t d anything but join the MNLF because they ere already there in our area. If we didn’t join, we wouldn’t be able to get our copra in the mountains.
USTADZ:
Subtitle: We heard the explosion and one of my comrades said that the bombs were starting to drop nearby. A lot of people got injured at that time – children, the elderly. I will never forget that.
NARIMIN:
Subtitle: It’s a big sacrifice when bombs start raining down on you. It’s the hardest thing you have to do because you have to look for someplace to hide. You can’t fight the bombs because they are dropped from the sky.
NAPISA situationers
UP MUSIC
Narimin pictures in the Middle East
Voice Over:
In time and after many more sacrifices, the two became prominent leaders in the MNLF. Napisa’s strength of character earned her the title "ustadz" – a male teacher in Arabic, connoting leadership, respect and high esteem. While Narimin moved up the ranks and became one of the first members of the MNLF to undergo foreign training in the Middle East notably Syria, Egypt, and Libya.
USTADZ NAPISA /NARIMIN situationers
UPSHOT Ustadz or Narimin situationer
Voice Over:
More than 2 decades later, when time finally came to descend from the mountains, it was no surprise that Ustadz Napisa and Commander Narimin both felt at a loss. By virtue of the 1996 Peace Agreement between the Government and the MNLF, which is just one of the major rebel groups in Mindanao, they were forced to begin a new chapter in their adult lives.
USTADZ:
Subtitle: I lost my livelihood after the MNLF. I lost my home and [my belongings].
NARIMIN:
Subtitle: We didn’t have any earnings. If [the MNLF council] gave us transportation allowance or food, it was ok. We couldn’t get any funds if it weren’t for various [donor] agencies.
USTADZ:
Subtitle: We Made nets to catch fish. We had a difficult time after we left the MNLF.
FILE VIDEO OF PEACE AGREEMENT
UPSHOT FILE VIDEO OF PEACE AGREEMENT (Ramos & Misuari)
FILE VIDEO OF ZAMBOANGA OR ANY CITY IN MINDANAO; CUT TO FILE VIDEO OF MNLF; CUT TO VIDEO OF STOCK MARKET/ MONEY; DROUGHT & RAIN; ANY FILE VIDEO OF PGMA IN THE UNITED STATES.
Voice Over:
The 1996 Peace Agreement had hoped to catalyze renewed interest and progress in the region by first providing direct financial support for 45,000 MNLF fighters. But severely hit by the Asian economic crisis and the weather phenomena of El Niño and La Niña, the already cash-strapped Philippine Government turned to foreign-assisted agencies for help.
CHARGEN: Jesus Dureza, Presidential Assistant for Mindanao
INTERCUT WITH FILE VIDEO OF MNLF COMBATANTS
CUT BACK TO JESUS DUREZA
JESUS DUREZA:
After the peace agreement was signed with the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996, it was really important that there must be immediate intervention in terms of improving the lives of people, especially assisting the former combatants. The coming in of donor-nations and donor agencies like USAID had really put in flesh what was really intended in that agreement.
BUMPER: A Step at a Time
UP MUSIC
DISSOLVE FROM BUMPER INTO GENERIC VIDEO OF MNLF COMBATANTS
GRAPHICS: (USE USAID LOGO AS BACKGROUND)
LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT AND PEACE PROGRAM / PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE
CUT TO CORNFIELD IN TALITAY & SEAWEED IN SULU
Voice Over:
Seeing the immediate need of so many former combatants, a program was set to work aiding an estimated 25,000 beneficiaries. Its principal objective was to provide all assistance needed to initiate small-scale "commercial" level production of a suitable commodity plus limited post-harvest facilities. This meant introducing simple yet easily marketable crops like hybrid corn or rice in mainland Mindanao and seaweed in the Sulu archipelago.
CHARGEN: Noel Ruiz, Deputy Chief of Party, ELAP/LEAP Program
CUT TO FILE VIDEO OF MNLF SHOWING THEM ARMED & READY FOR COMBAT
CUT TO STILLS OF LEAP PROGRAM (WOMAN HOLDING BUNCH OF SEAWEED; NOEL GIVING PIONEER SEEDS; STILL OF CORN FIELD)
NOEL RUIZ:
We felt that agriculture was something that we could start with and then we have to find the crops that were easily adaptable to their technical capabilities. Most of these participants spent about 10 to 20 years in the field, in the jungles. Most of them can disassemble an M60 or an M16 easily but they don’t have as much expertise in planting corn. We have to start with something simple and basic, something where you can get 50 guys doing the same crop at the same time but you don’t depress the price so much.
DISSOLVE TO COLOR AND BLACK-AND-WHITE STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF LEAP PROGRAM – MAN IN BOAT WITH SEAWEED; MNLF EX-COMBATANTS RECEIVING PRODUCTION INPUTS; U.S. AND GERMAN AGENCIES GIVING TO FORMER COMBATANTS; BOB BARNES IN NORTH COTABATO; U.S. AMBASSADOR IN FORMER "CAMP ABUBAKAR"
Voice Over:
The U.S. Agency for International Development also sponsored the beneficiaries’ training, technical support, their initial production inputs for at most two crop cycles, and marketing assistance. The program likewise formed partnerships with the Department of Agriculture, the MNLF council and other private institutions to ensure the project’s success.
DAUD GUIAMA INTERVIEW
DAUD GUIAMA:
Subtitle: We attended a training seminar before they gave us seeds and fertilizer. They taught us how to plant corn and how to use the fertilizer.
UP MUSIC
SHOW CLOSE-UPS OF OTHER EX-COMBATANTS; LEAP technician talking with leap participant in Kiteb
Voice Over:
Despite their pressing economic needs, not all the intended beneficiaries readily embraced the program when it first arrived in their respective areas. The program technicians noted strong anti-US sentiments from the ex-MNLF rebels.
NOEL RUIZ INTERVIEW
CUT TO FILE VIDEO OF ARMED MNLF COMBATANTS
CUT BACK TO NOEL RUIZ INTERVIEW
NOEL RUIZ:
Certainly when we started the program, there’s a lot of mistrust, you know. For one, this was the US of A and they sort of like spent 20 years fighting the Philippine Government which they perceive as supported by the USA. There were a lot of confidence-building measures that we had to do.
LEAP technician talking with beneficiaries
Voice Over:
Such confidence-building measures included the LEAP program managers’ personal interaction with the beneficiaries, familiarization of local customs and dialects, and most importantly understanding the beneficiaries’ situation.
CHARGEN: Bomby Bernan, President, Buluan Bangsamoro Women’s Multi-purpose Cooperative
BOMBY BERNAN:
Subtitle: This is the best kind of help we’ve received. They don’t beat around the bush. They talk to us directly unlike government agencies who don’t even pay us any attention when we go to their offices, especially when we go there looking like this. [People from ELAP] don’t even inconvenience us. When we try to give them snacks, they refuse. They say they don’t want to diminish our resources.
VIDEO FOR INTERCUTS – WOMEN OF BULUAN CO-OP
MAN PREPARING SEAWEED CUTTINGS ON SANDBAR; WOMAN WITH COWS; CLOSE UP OF CORN HUSK THEN ZOOM OUT TO SHOW DAUD GUIAMA INSPECTING CORN
Voice Over:
In time, the desire to settle into more peaceful lives led war-wearied men like Datu Daud to take a leap of faith.
DAUD GUIAMA:
Subtitle: Why wouldn’t we be determined [to try the program] when we are already given the opportunity to have something to eat?
ELOL TALKING TO SEAWEED FARMERS
UPSHOT SPEEDBOAT
LEAP STILL PICTURES -- ARMED MEN HOLDING UP DEEDS; ARMED MEN WITH SACKS OF SEEDS; CUT TO ELOL IN MARUNGGAS; CUT TO NARIMIN INSPECTING SEAWEED
CUT TO ELOL TALKING ON 2-WAY RADIO; ELOL COUNTING CO-OP MONEY; NARIMIN MEETING WITH CLUSTER MEMERS
Voice Over:
During its early stages, the LEAP program divided the participants into clusters of about 50 members each. The MNLF designated Commander Elol as seaweed production leader in the municipalities of Marunggas and Parang in Sulu; while Commander Narimin was put in charge in the municipalities of Lamitan and Tuburan in Basilan. As leaders, they were responsible for coordinating the distribution of production inputs.
DAUD WITH MEMBERS OF HIS CO-OP
UPSHOT COMMANDER DAUD TALKING TO CLUSTER MEMBERS
DAUD INSPECTING CORN WITH CO-OP MEMBERS
Voice Over:
In Barangay Kiteb in Maguindanao province, Commander Daud headed his cluster’s corn production.
USTADZ NAPISA TENDING SARI-SARI STORE; SIGNBOARD OF WOMEN’S CO-OP; UPSHOT BULUAN; SHOTS OF FISH ENCLOSURES; SHOT OF PUMPBOAT
Voice Over:
In the case of Ustadz Napisa, she and several other female ex-combatants organized the Buluan Bangsamoro Women’s Multi-purpose Cooperative a year after the 1996 peace agreement. It was through their co-op that they received LEAP production inputs for the construction of fish culture enclosures in Lake Buluan. They were also given two pump boats.
NAPISA GUIMALUDDIN INTERVIEW
USTADZ NAPISA:
Subtitle: If not for the help from ELAP, we wouldn’t know what to do. We were penniless.
BUMPER: The Fruits of their Labor
UP MUSIC
DISSOLVE FROM BUMPER TO MAN IN BOATH SHOWING OFF THICK STRANDS OF SEAWEED
Voice Over:
It wasn’t long before the participants saw the fruits of their labor.
FARMERS IN BANCA FULL OF SEAWEED, UNLOADING AT DOCK
UPSHOT FARMERS UNLOADING BANCA FULL OF SEAWEED AT DOCK; TWO MEN WEIGHING FRESH SEAWEED; SEAWEED DRYING IN THE SUN; SEAWEED PLANTATION AREA IN SULU; CUT OF SEAWEED; FARMER SHOWS OF SEAWEED SEEDLINGS; MORE FARMERS PLANTING SEAWEED
TRACKING SHOT OF FARMERS IN THEIR BANCAS
SEVERAL FARMERS IN THEIR BANCAS TENDING THEIR SEAWEED CROPS; MEN IN PUMPBOATS INSPECTING THEIR SEAWEED; FARMERS SHOWING OFF THEIR SEAWEED; STILT HOUSE; ELOL SMELLING SEAWEED CUTTINGS
Voice Over:
In Sulu, the short crop cycle of seaweeds meant that the farmers were able to harvest their crops in about five to six weeks. After sun drying, the seaweeds were then sold at about 50 to 56 cents per kilogram depending on the crop quality. A 250 sq. meter area of seaweed culture will yield about 4 tons worth about $2,300 at current prices, with a net income of about $1,700. Compare this to the average monthly income in Mindanao, which is a measly $114 and one would understand why seaweed is considered a winning crop.
UPSHOT OCEAN WAVES
Voice Over:
After only a few cropping cycles more than a hundred farmers in Marunggas, Sulu, have been able to buy motorized bancas using their profits; more than 70 have expanded production; and almost all have built or repaired their houses. Commander Elol is very proud of the more than 300 ex-combatants who now comprise his cluster.
ELOL SALIM INTERVIEW
ELOL SALIM:
Subtitle: People were able to buy pump boats, build modest homes, buy jewelry and send their children to school.
INTERCUT WITH ELOL & FAMILY: NARIMIN & FAMILY
Voice Over:
Then there were those ex-combatants who started their own families. Able to afford a dowry, these men were able to take on a wife… or even two.
KAHOY SINAH COOPERATIVE IN JOLO, SEAPORT
UPSHOT JOLO SEAPORT
FAÇADE OF KAHOY SINAH CO-OP WAREHOUSE; CO-OP MEMBERS WEIGHING DRIED SEAWEED & COPRA ; ELOL COUNTING CO-OP MONEY
Voice Over:
Using their harvest income, Commander Elol encouraged his cluster to form the Kahoy Sinah Agri-Marine Multi-purpose Cooperative in 1998. What started out as a small organization of 35 participants with an initial capital of less than $400 has since expanded to include 140 members and an accumulated fund of more than $13,000.
PEOPLE GETTING IN SPEEDBOAT
UPSHOT PEOPLE RIDING IN SPEEDBOAT
SHOT OF DOCKED SPEEDBOAT; ELOL DRIVING ANOTHER SPEEDBOAT; FISHING VESSEL; "CO-OP MEMBERS…" CUT TO CO-OP MEMBERS DRYING SEAWEED
Voice Over:
Since its establishment, the cooperative has purchased two speedboats and a fishing vessel used to transport the farmers’ seaweed harvest from Marunggas and the neighboring municipalities to Jolo. Co-op members also use the fishing vessel to augment their income while waiting for the seaweed to mature.
ELOL SALIM INTERVIEW
ELOL:
Subtitle: In 15 days and 15 nights, they earn a minimum of P50,000 ($943) and a maximum of P70,000-P80,000 ($1,320-$1,509) from fishing. There are five people on the boat. In 15 days, they use up P10,000 ($189) worth of diesel fuel.
ELOL & OTHER MEN RETURN TO DOCK ABOARD SPEEDBOAT
Voice Over:
Out of their gross revenue, the fishermen pay the cooperative $300 as a rental fee. Each fisherman then brings home anywhere from between $94 to $207 for half a month’s work..
UPSHOT SPEEDBOAT; SHOW SANDBARS & ISLETS WITH SOLAR DRIERS
ISLETS & SANDBARS IN MARUNGGAS MUNICIPALITY WITH SOLAR DRIERS; SOLAR DRIERS IN DIFFERENT BARANGAYS; CUT TO SEAWEED DRYING ON THE GROUND IN BASILAN; LARGE SOLAR DRIER IN ZAMBOANGA
Voice Over:
Commander Elol also spearheaded the construction of bamboo solar dryers in the island villages within Marunggas and Parang municipalities. In contrast to the traditional method of drying crops on the ground, the use of bamboo driers allows for faster drying and prevents sand and other physical impurities from mixing with the harvested and dried seaweed.
ELOL TELLING KID IN WATER TO SHOW TROPICAL FISH CAUGHT IN TRAP; SEA CUCUMBER CAUGHT IN TRAP
UPSHOT PEOPLE IN BARANGAY KITEB; MAN ARRIVES ON HORSEBACK; CLOSE UP OF CORN HUSK; DATU DAUD MEASURING CORN
Voice Over:
By the first quarter of 2003, Commander Elol plans to expand the projects of Kahoy Sinah cooperative to include fish culture and the sale of live tropical fish and dried sea cucumber.
UPSHOT BRGY. KITEB, TALITAY, MAGUINDANAO
Voice Over:
Life for the LEAP participants in barangay Kiteb has also taken a turn for the better. For one, their corn harvest yields have more than tripled since the program first introduced hybrid corn varieties.
INTERVIEW WITH DAUD GUIAMA
DAUD GUIAMA:
Subtitle: When we used to plant native corn, we would harvest about 30-50 cavans per hectare. Hybrid corn yields about 180 cavans [per hectare].
ZOOM OUT FROM NIPA HUT TO REVEAL NEW CONCRETE HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION; BOY RIDING COW; BARANGAY FOLK & THEIR LIVESTOCK; DAUD TURNS ON TV SET
Voice Over:
With their increased harvest income, the residents of Barangay Kiteb began to slowly but surely improve their houses, acquire farm animals and purchase household appliances.
TRICYCLE PASSING BY MAN WITH NEW MOTORCYCLE; MAN WATCHING TV WITH WIFE; TV & COMPONENT SYSTEM; CARABAOS
DAUD GUIAMA:
Subtitle: Many have been able to buy motorcycles with sidecars, TV sets and Betamax units. You probably won’t believe it but there used to be less than 10 carabaos around here. Now, all our [co-op] members have carabaos of their own.
DAUD ENTERS WAREHOUSE ON MOTORBIKE; DAUD WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF CO-OP; SOLAR DRIER & WAREHOUSE; CORN FIELD; DATU DAUD CHECKING CORN PLANT
UPSHOT
Voice Over:
Commander Daud and his fellow LEAP participants organized the Kiteb Islam MNLF Multi-purpose Cooperative in 1996. Commander Daud is the chairman of the said co-op. With the combined harvest income of its 200 members, the co-op built a concrete-type solar dryer and a warehouse. These post-harvest facilities greatly improved the quality of their harvested corn thus increasing their farm revenue.
UPSHOT
MEN SHOWING OFF THE MECHANICAL CORN SHELLER HORSE; GUYS ON CO-OP MOTORCYCLE SMILING
Voice Over:
In 2000, the cooperative bought a mechanical corn sheller worth more than $1,000. The co-op also purchased a horse and a motorcycle, which are used to travel to their cornfields and neighboring villages. Among all the participants, the best success stories are about those who organized themselves and made the best out of what the program initially gave them.
BUMPER: Moving Up
UP MUSIC
DISSOLVE TO KIDS CARRYING SEAWEED CUTTINGS; PEOPLE INSIDE SARI-SARI STORE IN BULUAN
Voice Over:
Inspired by the success of their first harvests, more than 50% of LEAP participants have ventured into other income-generating activities.
TRACKING SHOT OF FLOATING RESTAURANT; WOMEN SETTING THE TABLE; PEOPLE INSIDE SARI-SARI STORE; CLOSE UP OF BROILED FISH; PAN LEFT TO FAÇADE OF MARKET RESTAURANT
UPSHOT PUMPBOAT ENGINE
Voice Over:
In Buluan, members of the Buluan Bangsamoro Women’s Cooperative used their income from fish culture to put up a floating restaurant and a small grocery store on the lake. The restaurant’s specialty? Freshly-caught broiled fish!
UPSHOT BULUAN PUBLIC MARKET
CUSTOMER EATING SNACKS; WOMEN PUTTING VARIOUS DISHES ON DISPLAY; BRGY. SARI-SARI STORE; SHOTS OF BULUAN WOMEN
Voice Over:
These enterprising women also put up a small restaurant at the Buluan public market as well as another grocery store in their village. Together, these moneymaking ventures have given them the kind of self-assurance and financial stability needed to adjust to non-combatant life.
NAPISA INTERVIEW
USTADZ NAPISA:
Subtitle: Our life is ok now. It’s much easier.
BOMBY BERNAN INTERVIEW
BOMBY BERNAN:
Subtitle: We learned a lot from our organization. We were given training [seminars] on business management. It’s really been a big help because even a drop-out like me can learn new things.
VIDEO FOR INTERCUT: BOMBY PREPARING VEGETABLES IN MARKET RESTAURANT
CLOSE-UP OF CATFISH IN POND
UPSHOT CATFISH SPLASHING IN THE WATER
WIDE SHOT OF CATFISH POND; DATU DAUD FEEDING FISH; CUT TO STILL PICTURE OF KITEB PARTICIPANTS; DAUD WALKING WHILE FEEDING FISH; CATFISH FINGERLINGS AREA; GOAT PEN
Voice Over:
Aquaculture also made a splash in Barangay Kiteb. After attending a training seminar sponsored by the LEAP program, Commander Daud and his men decided to try their hand in catfish production. Today, the co-op members tend to a pond area of more than 1,000 square meters. They also sell fingerlings to other fish breeders. By early 2003, the co-op also plans to venture into goat raising.
FAÇADE OF BANANA CHIPS MINI-FACTORY; UPSHOT WOMEN IN BANANA CHIPS MINI-FACTORY; WOMEN ARRANGING BAGS OF BANANA CHIPS; SHORT MONTAGE OF EX-COMBATANTS SMILING, ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR
Voice Over:
Not to be outdone, the womenfolk of Barangay Kiteb are also proud of having their own micro-industry of banana chips. They are able to distribute their products in the local grocery stores.
CLOSE-UP OF DAUD GUIAMA; MAN STANDING BESIDE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED HOUSE; BULUAN WOMEN EATING
GRAPHICS: Still shot of MSU-GS evaluation survey report; then highlight "… ELAP reduced the risk of armed conflict"
UP MUSIC
DATU DAUD IN CATFISH ENCLOSURE; NARIMIN TALKING TO CLUSTER MEMBERS
Voice Over:
While the socio-economic transformation of the program’s beneficiaries is an achievement in itself, more significant changes are happening in Muslim Mindanao. A study conducted by the Mindanao State University-General Santos in 2000 concluded that the program effectively reduced the risk of armed conflict in the region. So in essence, while the program taught people how to plant corn and other crops, it also began sowing the seeds of peace.
UPSHOT JACQUI CARRASCOSO
JACQUI TALKING TO SEAWEED FARMER AT SOLAR DRIER
CHARGEN: Jacqui Carrascoso, Executive Director, Western Mindanao Seaweed Foundation, Inc.
Voice Over:
Jacqui Carrascoso, Executive Director of the Western Mindanao Seaweed Foundation, whose members include LEAP beneficiaries, agrees.
JACQUI:
When you give these people, especially the combatants, MNLF combatants livelihood, then they have something to do. They earn their income so you will more or less dissuade them from engaging in armed conflict every time they see problems or troubles.
NARIMIN HUSSIN INTERVIEW
NARIMIN HUSSIN:
Subtitle: In the MNLF, you can try to make a living but not at all times. You can’t do anything about it. You simply stay in hiding. Nowadays, you don’t have to think of anything else other than your livelihood.
BUMPER: Make or Break
UP MUSIC
FARMER TENDING RAFTS OF SEAWEED; STILL PICTURES OF FOOD PRODUCTS – BEER, ICE CREAM, CHOCOLATE MILK, PROCESSED MEAT, TOOTHPASTE, AIR FRESHENERS & PET FOOD
Voice Over:
The Philippines is currently the world’s fourth largest exporter of seaweed which is the raw material for a widely-used food and industrial additive known as carageenan. And according to Hadji Adam Omar, chairperson of the Western Mindanao Seaweed Foundation, the demand for seaweed is on the rise.
ADAM OMAR SITUATIONER AT SOLAR DRYER
CHARGEN: Hadji Adam Omar, Chairperson, Western Mindanao Seaweed Industry Development Foundation, Inc.
HADJI ADAM OMAR (T1):
The demand of seaweeds in the world market is practically increasing by an average of 10% a year so actually we cannot catch up with the increasing demand.
WIDE SHOT OF CORN FIELD; FARMER SHOWS OFF SEAWEED
Voice Over:
Seaweed farming has helped in reducing the number of unemployed ex-combatants and created a major impact on the social and economic recovery of up to 25 thousand former rebels. This and the influx of foreign-assisted livelihood programs like LEAP also improved international and local investor confidence in Mindanao and its people.
MEN PREPARING DRIED SEAWEED FOR STORAGE
CHARGEN: Hatimil Hassan, MNLF Interim Chairman and Congressman, Lone District of Basilan
HATIMIL HASSAN:
The World Bank even trusted the area that is already ripe for development. It extended loans to the Philippine Government and implemented the so-called social fund in the amount of $10 million way back in 1998. And again in 2003 we have just organized the ARMM social fund for peace and development with $33 million loaned by the Philippine Government from the World Bank and this will be implemented in the 5 provinces and 1 city that compose the autonomous region.
FARMER TENDING SEAWEEDS; MEN WEIGHING AND STORING COPRA
Voice Over:
The benefits of such foreign-donor programs in Mindanao were not limited to the region. Like a pebble in a stream, it caused a ripple effect that extended to the national level.
BUMPER: The Bigger Picture
PEOPLE TOSSING/DRYING SEAWEED
INTERVIEW WITH JESUS DUREZA
JESUS DUREZA:
If Mindanao coughs, there’s pneumonia all over the Philippines. In other words, the intervention in Mindanao is not only just limited to Mindanao and the good effects thereof but it also brings up the whole development for the whole country. So while this is all just focused at Mindanao areas, it brought up the level of growth and peace nationwide.
FILE VIDEO OF BUSINESS SECTOR IN MINDANAO (ZAMBOANGA OR MAYBE GEN. SAN.)
GRAPHICS: Map of Mindanao showing areas where LEAP program is currently running
TEXT ON BOTTOM PART OF MAP:
13 Provinces
115 Municipalities
400 Barangays
Voice Over:
The LEAP program is currently running in 13 provinces, 115 municipalities, and 400 barangays in Mindanao. To date, 13,000 participants have graduated while 8,000 are still in the program. USAID hopes to complete its support for the remaining 4,000 ex-combatants by 2005.
BAR GRAPH OF LEAP PARTICIPANTS:
Graduates =============== 13,000
Currently In program ========= 8,000
Future ==== 4,000
Total ================= 25,000
SEAWEED FARMER TYING SEAWEED CUTTINGS TO ROPE MAN HOLDING UP BUNCH OF SEAWEED SEEDLINGS
HATIMIL HASSAN:
We welcome USAID in Mindanao, in ARMM. We welcome other donor agencies because of the fact that with the world development now. There is interdependence and there is this movement towards globalization. We cannot isolate ourselves.
File footage of war in Mindanao – skirmishes between government forces & MILF; MILF in training; Muslim & Christian families with their children in evacuation areas; show poverty in the region
PAN LEFT FROM CORN FIELD TO ARMED MEN IN TALITAY
ARMED MEN IN CORN FIELD; CLOSE UP OF M16 BULLETS THEN TILT UP TO FACE OF EX-COMBATANT
Voice Over:
Certainly, the LEAP program can be expanded to include other insurgents who wish to follow the example of the MNLF. However, the program’s sustainability is still challenged by the threat of continuing conflict between the Government and other rebel groups. The Philippines and the United States wish to extend similar peace-building, livelihood-assistance programs to these groups when they lay down their arms and embrace civilian lives. The lives of thousands of beneficiaries are proof that the seeds of peace can prosper in Mindanao.
ELOL IN DRIVER’S SEAT OF SPEEDBOAT; USTADZ NAPISA IN BOAT; DATU DAUD GOING INSIDE HIS HOUSE & WATCHING TV;
Voice Over:
At the end of each day on the lake or in the cornfield, these men and women retire to their modest homes and enjoy their time with their families amidst the comforts of their simple possessions.
SITNERS OF CASE STUDIES
SHORT UP MUSIC
CUT TO ELOL; NARIMIN; DATU DAUD ; USTADZ NAPISA; NARIMIN WITH BABY; USTADZ NAPISA EATING; ELOL AT HOME
Voice Over:
Just 10 years ago, Elol, Narimin, Datu Daud and Ustadz Napisa could never have imagined that they would be spending time with their kids, eating a regular meal, and relishing normal, peaceful lives.
USTADZ NAPISA LOST IN THOUGHT; CLOSE UP OF DATU DAUD LOST IN THOUGHT; ELOL SILHOUETTED COMMANDER ELOL CLOSE-UP; COMMANDER NARIMIN AT HOME AGAINST WINDOW
SHORT UP MUSIC
DISSOLVE TO DRAMATIC MUSIC MONTAGE OF CASE STUDIES
END WITH A SMILE ON ONE OF THE CASE STUDIES (DATU DAUD OR USTADZ NAPISA) AND DISSOLVE TO SUNSET IN ZAMBOANGA
Voice Over:
After making the decision to lay down their arms and taking up the opportunity offered by the LEAP program, they can be proud of what they have achieved. Most people can only dream of having a second chance at life. They have lived and earned it.
FADE TO BLACK THEN ROLL CREDITS
UP MUSIC
THE END.
