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10 KABACAN, NORTH COTABATO
Bridges for Peace and Development
Tungo sa Ugnayang LAYon ay Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran:
Ang Karanasan ng Kabacan
KABACAN in North Cotabato used to be a war zone. Local and foreign
media correspondents frequently visited to cover bombings and many
other acts of terrorism. The situation was not helped any by an unresolved
election dispute that prevented the proclaimed winner for mayor from
assuming office. When the Supreme Court ruled in her favor in January
2002, she came home to build bridges.
Physical and Moral Bridges
Kabacan was beset with so many problems: very poor peace and order
situation; access roads, bridges, farm-to-market roads and other
infrastructure were either badly deteriorated or non-existent; few
businesses were operating in the municipality; local revenue was very
low; the local government personnel were badly demoralized, inefficient,
and divided; delivery of basic services was hampered by the complacent
bureaucracy resulting in other problems, such as failure to provide health
services in remote areas; and informal settlers abounded along the
highway.
How was the local executive to turn things around?
The challenge loomed large. The problems had to be tackled on two
planes all at once: the physical and the moral. There was need for the
physical bridges, as well and as much as the moral bridges, to close
gaps and hostilities.
On the moral front, the goals included restoring peace and order
through (a) bridging the cultural and religious divide in the community;
(b) restoring the people’s trust and confidence in the local and national
government; (c) providing a healthy business climate for local and nonlocal
investors; (d) addressing the special concerns of women, minorities
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