HOPE BEARS FRUIT IN 'WAR ZONE'
The Philippine Star
02/18/08

The mere mention of Sulu, Basilan and North Cotabato instantly brings up images of violence, strife and war to the minds of many – largely because such is the image most drummed up by media and even those in the government and military.

Such image also paved the way for the establishment of a practical business project aimed at erasing the image of Sulu, Basilan and Cotabato and the rest of Mindanao as a war zone.

“Fruits of Hope,” a project initiated by Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) chairman Sen. Dick Gordon and other organizations and groups, strives to tap the erstwhile unnoticed but vibrant fruit-growing industry in Mindanao's ‘war zone,' and transform this instead into a viable food and fruit basket bowl.

“Fruits of Hope” reflects the hopes of the people who rely on the fruit-growing industry to end violence and war in Mindanao and bring about lasting peace which has been sought by the government through peace talks, to no avail.

Rather than merely awaiting government and private sector dole-outs and aid, “Fruits of Hope” now empowers the locals by linking them with retailers, vendors and consumers in Metro Manila and other key markets in Mindanao and the Visayas.

From relief efforts

The project got underway when Gordon visited Sulu and Basilan late last year to supervise the relief efforts of PNRC in the wake of another military offensive launched against insurgents in the hinterlands.

Along with Albert Santoli of the Asia-America Initiative (AAI), which is providing aid for peace and progress in Mindanao, Gordon went around Patikul, Indanan, and stayed for a night in Jolo. Labeled a ‘war zone' for decades, they instead found a place of peace despite sporadic skirmishes in the hinterlands.

During their stay in Sulu, Gordon and Santoli noted the abundance of fresh, quality fruits sold for almost nothing at the local markets since the same could not be transported out of the province. And because of the ‘war zone' label, hardly any retailers or consumers came to procure the produce.

Gordon and the PNRC, together with the AAI, representatives from leading supermarket chains in Metro Manila, Nestle, UP Los Banos, and other partners who are also investing in peace, returned to Sulu via a C-130 from the Philippine Air Force to pick up more than 6,000 kilograms of fresh fruits to be brought to Manila and sold within the day.

Gordon replicated the move in North Cotabato, delivering over 12,000 kilograms of fruits to Metro Manila markets on the same day.

Following the PNRC initiative, Gordon is now calling on the private sector, including airline companies, shipping firms, retailers and others to sustain the project. There is indeed more to Sulu, Basilan and Cotabato than war and violence. And it's something everyone, even in faraway Metro Manila, can savor and enjoy.

With the solid support of the private sector through “Fruits of Hope,” Gordon stressed that Mindanao's image could be changed. This would require believing in its people by investing in peace, and buying fruits and other products from Mindanao.

To further bolster the project, Gordon sought and introduced amendments to the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to fund the transportation of agricultural produce from conflict areas, especially in Mindanao, to major markets in Metro Manila, Cebu and other urban centers.

ACEF provides credit facilities for small farmers often neglected by other creditors. It also augments support services and facilities to the said farmers through road infrastructure, post-harvest facilities, marketing services, training and research.

Not just fruits

The “Fruits of Hope' project proponents are not limiting themselves to fruits. They are reaching out to bigger and more markets by adding other products to the project. Others being considered are seafood, vegetables, coffee, even furniture and handicrafts.

The PNRC-“Fruits of Hope” and Nestle Philippines late last year likewise organized a coffee-growing seminar in Davao attended by farmers from Sulu, North Cotabato and Bukidnon.

The new coffee farmers were trained on key aspects such as plantation management, which includes weeding, application of compost or organic fertilizer and pruning, as well as proper harvesting and post-harvest processing method.

But perhaps the best development was when Nestle committed to buy coffee from Sulu and other Mindanao growers, pointing out that the demand for coffee beans is so huge that the country's current coffee farmers can only supply about 50 to 60 percent of the requirement.

SM Supermarket, Rustan's and Shopwise, the first buyers of the Fruits of Hope products, likewise committed to continuous support. The list of businesses and organizations interested in participating in the Fruits of Hope project is now growing.

Project proponents stressed that while the PNRC took the initiative of tapping the fruit-growing industry of so-called war zones in Mindanao, key to sustaining the worthy undertaking is the constant and solid support of the private sector.

Hopefully not a political stunt

With “Fruits of Hope,” people are hoping that whatever happens to his 2010 ambitions, Gordon would prove to be a staunch advocate of progress in Mindanao and not make the noble project a mere political stunt.

 “Fruits of Hope,” according to Gordon, is not just a one shot deal. Proponents stress that the roots of conflict in Mindanao are fed by desperation and poverty. But the project – which has given some 7,000 fruit growers new hope and dignity in their work – may be a small step.

But with more steps in the right direction, fueled by private sector support and the political will – not politics – of government agencies and officials, there is hope in the fruits of Mindanao, fruits that would bear not only peace but fulfillment to the land of many promises.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25^th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com or at reygamboa@linkedge.biz.

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