Peace and Development Interventions for Conflicted Affected Communities in the Province of Lanao Del Norte*

Aisah Gaus Minukon  
(College of Public Affairs, Mindanao State University, Philippines)

Abstract: The study investigated the extent of agreement among former combatants of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and their communities on the peace and development interventions (PDI) introduced in transforming their communities into a Peace Development Communities (PDC) in the Province of Lanao del Norte. PDC is a peacebuilding strategy in cementing the foundation of lasting peace and development in Southern Philippines. It further investigated the factors that contributed to the promotion, stagnation and retrogression of PDCs. The study is an evaluative descriptive research method. It used triangulation methods in the data collection to have in depth-investigation and analysis of the study. Purposive sampling is use in the identification of the respondents that included all the MNLF peace and development advocates (PDAs), Punong Barangay, active service provider, and sector representatives in the established PDC. The findings of the study revealed that Strongly Agreed on the development interventions introduced under the Confidence and Sustainability Building Phases. With respect to the Capacity and Institutional Building Phase interventions, respondents only Agreed on the interventions introduced. The findings further showed on the one hand that the top three items that contributed in the promotion of PDCs were 1) unity and strong relationship of Muslims and Christians, 2) establishment of POs and 3) presence of development projects. On the other hand, the top five in ranked order that contributed in the stagnation and retrogression of PDCs were 1) armed conflict, 2) passive and fatalistic behaviour of people, 3) family feud, 4) corruption and 5) ineffective leadership.

Key words: peace and development community (PDC); peace and development intervention (PDI); Moro National Liberation Front-Peace and Development Advocates (MNLF-PDA)

JEL codes: H75