A case study of the community-based peace-building program in the Bual Zone of Peace, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat

• Main Author: Arviola, Serafin A., Jr.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2002
• Subjects: Peace; Community development; Social participation; Political Theory
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3003
• Institution: De La Salle University

The is an assessment of the effectiveness of the Bual Integrated Development for Peace (BID-PEACE) program in improving the relationship of Muslim and Christian residents in the Bual Zone of Peace, Isulan Sultan Kudarat. Using focused-group discussion, key informant interview, document review and direct observation, the study examined six indicators of effectives which include participation, equity, appropriate technology, critical empowerment, ecological consciousness and cultural tolerance. Fifty-seven program participants (project staff and community residents) were invited to participate in the focused-group discussion and key informant interviews to determined their knowledge, attitude and behavior with regards to the effectiveness of BID-Peace program. Results showed that the BID-Peace program encouraged greater participation among the residents in the community through continuous involvement in the multisectoral consultation, interfaith dialogues, solidarity projects and organizational meetings. Findings also indicated that the distribution of material and non-material resources provided by the program were equitable and sufficient to their needs. Although the respondents argued that the program and services were generally appropriate to their needs and aspirations, the sustainable farming technology that the program introduced in the community were perceived as improper to their current realities and situations. The respondents generally agreed that seminars and trainings gave them relevant and useful skills in understanding the root causes of conflict besetting the community making them critically empowered to solve problems peacefully and independently. The program promoted ecological consciousness in the community as a result of their involvement in the activities of SAMAKANA. But the awareness did not translate to concrete actions in preserving and conserving the environment as manifested through their unsustainable consumption practices and harmful utilization of natural resources found in the community. The program contributed in the promotion of cultural tolerance between Muslim and Christian residents, it renewed their personal rapport with one another and strengthened their friendship and solidarity towards the attainment of the common goals set in the Peace Zone Declaration. The study results pointed out that the promotion of participation, equity, appropriate technology, critical empowerment, ecological consciousness and cultural tolerance towards the improvement of people's relationship of culturally distinct communities which experienced division caused by protracted social conflict are seen as an effective strategy in community-based peace-building programs.