Northern Mindanao Fellows of the Mindanao Bridging Leaders Program of the Asian Institute of Management, implemented in partnership with the XU College of Agriculture, will have their Bridging Leadership Program Appreciation and Change Project presentation on August 1, 1-5 pm at SEARSOLIN in Manresa.

The fellows, Talaandig Community President and Founder Datu Migketay; Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno; Damulog, Bukidnon Municipal Mayor Romy Tiongco; and Higaonon Tribal Leader Nena “Bae Rose” Undag, will present their projects addressing issues on social divides in their own communities.

Datu Migketay’s project is on the promotion of understanding and cooperation among Indigenous Peoples and Bangsamoro on the issues of land, territory and resources in Mindanao, reaffirmation of Traditional Peace Pacts, and the empowerment and transfer of customary leadership to the youth.

Provincial Governor Oscar Moreno envisions a Misamis Oriental that is insurgency-free and progressive. He aspires to replicate the Lantad experience, for which he won a Galing Pook Award, to the rest of the province as his change project. He believes that Lantad is an excellent example of how the government has maintained peace and order through the delivery of basic services.

Damulog, Bukidnon Municipal Mayor Romy Tiongco considers government programs as vital components in maintaining peace and order not just in his municipality but also in neighboring areas. He says that the delivery of basic services, such as credit access and health facilities, is effective in correcting the wrong notion of communities that the government, through the military, seeks to control them and stifle their freedom. His project is focused on children.

Working with the Higaonons in the boundaries of Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte, Higaonon tribal leader Bae Rose is making mandatory IP representation in local special bodies her change project. Bae Rose believes that IP representation is a crucial step in helping IPs apply for and acquire their certificate of ancestral domain title. Her project is a significant contribution to the promotion of peace in the region as the issue of ancestral domain is a source of restlessness among IPs and conflict with insurgents who are taking advantage of the IPs sentiments against the government.

The Mindanao Bridging Leaders Program aims to develop socially responsible Bridging Leaders capable of addressing complex social challenges through collaboration and identification of leadership approaches that encourage greater participation and responsiveness among institutions and stakeholders in the area and the nation.