Weeds on the Battleground

For nearly two decades, the municipality of Tuburan in Basilan was the staging ground for massive combat operations between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). As a result, the town’s largely agricultural economy was disrupted, and most of its inhabitants relocated elsewhere.

After the signing of the peace agreement in 1996, hopes were high that economic activity would be revived in the war-torn municipality. Development, however, was slow in coming. Access to the area is very difficult; its rugged terrain and isolated location made it a favorable haven for various armed groups.

These days, the residents are carving a new image for their town, with the help of their local government and various donor agencies. It will take a lot of work but the people here are optimistic that they can rise to the challenge.

It was a woman’s intuition that initially saw great potential in the town. Misuara Hassan, wife of MNLF interim chairman Hatimil Hassan, believed that the municipality could make a complete turn-around from its former self. For sure, it would not happen overnight. The effort would be arduous, and there may be setbacks along the way. A lot of patience and determination would be needed to shape the town’s future.

When I first visited Tuburan in January, the town had already recaptured its lost vigor. Aboard a motorized banca, I was greeted by the sight of local folk fishing along the shoreline, not far from mangrove forests. There was a teeming community of stilt houses beside the pier that led to an old mosque, built in the ’50s and witness to what this town had experienced through the years.

The reason for my visit was to observe the progress of seaweed farming in the community. Its coastal areas are conducive to the activity and could provide a sustainable source of income for the villagers.

Earlier that month, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Livelihood Enhancement and Peace (LEAP) Program and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, a German non-government organization, gave former MNLF combatants technical assistance and production inputs on seaweed production.

Some 200 of them were without any form of livelihood after two decades of strife. Many of the former fighters felt restive and isolated from the economic development taking place in other parts of Mindanao.

Upon my arrival, I met Hayin Anjalin, an ex-MNLF fighter who now heads a seaweed production cluster in the community. He is very thankful because "the support given by LEAP is a great help. This would mean additional income for us," Anjalin notes.

It would take some time, though, before Tuburan becomes a hub of progress in the island-province. It is ironic because this depressed municipality is hometown to Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapuddin, MNLF interim chairman Hatimil Hassan and sea transportation magnate Hadji Wahab Amir.

While fishing and copra remain the chief source of livelihood for the residents, the municipality is counting on seaweed farming to boost its economic activity. Each LEAP beneficiary is expected to harvest a ton of dried seaweed in just 45 days, which is sold at P25 per kilogram in Zamboanga City, the region’s economic center, two hours away by boat.

Seaweed is processed into carrageenan, a gelling agent that has a high demand in the local and international markets. It is used in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetic, medical and microchip industries.

The Philippines is one of the largest suppliers of carrageenan in the world, which earns the country over $100 million annually in exports. Seventy-five percent of the production comes from Western Mindanao.

The efforts of seaweed farmers are paying off because Tuburan will be holding its first ever seaweed harvest festival.

Anjalin says he is excited because "this will be the first time our place will be highlighted as a site for economic activity in the province."

In preparation for the festival, Anjalin and his team are going back to the mountains. This time not to resume their armed struggle but to gather bamboo poles to be used to construct stilt-type solar dryers where the seaweed can be spread out while being dried.

"We hope that this festival will change the image of Tuburan from a battleground to a very productive community," he stresses.

Expectations are high. The success of seaweed production in the town would not only mean income opportunities and increased employment, but hopefully be a deterrent for armed activity and serve as incentive for the return of its original population.