Francisco, Judielyn B.

SBENT-2B

REGION IX- ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA

Introduction
The Zamboanga Peninsula, officially known as Region IX, is a Philippine
administrative region located in the western part of Mindanao. Zamboanga del Norte,
Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay are the three provinces, whereas Isabela City,
Dapitan City, Dipolog City, Pagadian City, and Zamboanga City are the five cities.

The Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Spatial Growth Framework (ZamPen RSDF),

which runs from 2016 to 2045, aims to give the region a long-term development path. It guides
policymakers and investors in establishing efficient settlement and service delivery systems that
are compatible with the sustainable use of land and other natural resources, as well as disaster
risk reduction and management. It is based on the National Spatial Strategy's (NSS) major goals
of concentration, connectedness, and vulnerability reduction, as well as the Mindanao Spatial
Strategy/Development Framework. The region’s topography is relatively rugged. Roughly 51%
of its area are hilly; some having steeped slopes and within the elevation range of 100 to more
than 1,000 meters above sea level. In terms of land classification, about 51 per cent is considered
alienable and disposable and the remaining 49 per cent is classified as forest land. Almost 60,000
hectares of land that can be developed for planting crops still remain idle, while around 310,000
hectares of coconut land can be utilized for multi-cropping and pasture purposes.

Zamboanga del Norte occupies the northwestern part of the Zamboanga Peninsula.
North and west of the province is Sulu Sea, east is Misamis Occidental and southeast is separated
by mountain ranges from the south. Dipolog City is the capital of Zamboanga del Norte. The
province is one of the largest in Region IX. In Zamboanga Peninsula, about 1/3 of the region’s
population is composed of ethnic people. These groups, usually erroneously classified under the
general heading of Muslims, are actually distinct from each other in culture. They are generally
divided into the Tausugs, Yakans, Badjaos, Samals and the Subanons of Zamboanga del Norte,
Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
CHALLENGES
 ATTAIN HIGH AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
 CREATE HIGH PAYING JOBS
 COMPETITIVE LGU’S
 DEVELOP MEORE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
 PRODCUTIVE BUSINESS SECTOR
 REDUCE POVERTY

CIRCUMTANCES ISSUES AND CONCERNS IN REGION IX

 Economic
 Human Development
 Family
 Safety and Security

ECONOMIC
. The Philippines is one of the signatories to the Millennium Declaration (MD) adopted
by 189 member states/countries of the United Nations in September 2000. The MD calls for the
eradication of extreme poverty and worst form of human deprivation

The estimates of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed that
Region IX’s economy, as measured by the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), increased
by 2.2 percent in 2008. The GRDP has been generally increasing from 1999-2008 with an
average annual growth rate of 4.0 percent. Meanwhile, the region’s poverty incidence of
families, based on the estimates of the NSCB, was recorded at 40.2percent in 2006, lower than
the 44 percent growth recorded in 2003. However, the number of poor families was still high at
250,696 in 2006 from 258,497in 2003. On the other hand, figures released by the National
Statistics Office (NSO) showed that prices of commodities and services in the region had been
generally increasing with an inflation rate of 6.9 in 1999 to 12.2 percent in 2008. In addition, the
region continued to experience the problem on unemployment with an unemployment rate of 3.5
percent in 2008, based on NSO data. These figures indicate that despite the economic growth, the
region continues to face the problems of joblessness, rising prices and poverty.

Total population, productive population, family savings, volume of crime and exports
were proven to be significant drivers of the region’s economic growth. Good governance,
political stability, political will of government officials, controlled population growth,
inflationary stability and openness to trade and investmentswere identified by key informants as
other economic and social factors that affect the economic growth of the region. The
performance of the regional economy was affected by the existing economic policies of the
government.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

This chapter looks at the four main areas of human development education, health, nutrition and
Fertility and at the links between them. In each, it considers the causes and effects of poverty and
various ways of breaking its grip on the poor and their children. Ten years ago this chapter would
have been written very differently. In certain areas thinking has changed substantially for
instance, about the nature of malnutrition and its causes. Good progress has been made in
unraveling some complex and highly controversial issues for example, the respective roles of
family planning and social development in reducing fertility. And in all areas, research and
practical experience have improved understanding of the nature of poverty and what can be done
about it.

Dimensions of poverty include the lack of education, poor health, limited health services, poor
housing units, and limited opportunities for productive employment, either due to lack of skills
or absence of industries which are widespread in the provinces of the region. The occurrence of
natural disasters in the island further marginalizes the poor and erodes development gains.
Among the ten poorest regions in the country, Zamboanga Peninsula ranked 7th with an
estimated poverty incidence of 26 percent in 2015. This is a much improvement from its 4th rank
in 2012 with a poverty incidence of 33.7 percent

Health and Nutrition. Efforts on ensuring that more infants will reach their first birthday have
paid off with an improvement on the infant mortality rate (IMR) from 2005 to 2013. The number
of infant deaths per 1,000 live births has been significantly reduced from 13.90 deaths per 1,000
livebirths in 2005 to 5.64 deaths per 1,000 livebirths in 2013. Given the trend, the region has
already met its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of a two-third reduction of the IMR
by 2015.

The nutrition of the youngest population in the region continues to be a concern. Prevalence of
stunting and underweight among children 0-5 years old are higher than the national prevalence as
shown in the NNS conducted in 2008, 2011 and 2013.

Education. Schooling imparts specific knowledge and develops general reasoning skills (its
"cognitive" effects); it also induces changes in beliefs and values, and in attitudes toward work
and society ("noncognitive" effects). The relative importance of these effects is much debated,
but poorly understood; both are extremely important. In the cognitive area, developing a
generalized capacity for thinking and learning has to be found to be more important than the
specific subjects learned. On-the-job training, informal education and vocational training all
build on learning abilities acquired earlier. And although literacy and numeracy deteriorate if left
unused, the educational experience still generally provides an improved foundation for
subsequent learning.

FAMILY

Based on the 2012 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, a family of five in the
region had an annual income and expenditure of P162,000 and P 122,000, respectively (Table
2.49). These figures translate to an average annual savings of P40,000 per family. Considering
the inflation during the period 2009- 2012, the average annual family income and family
expenditure in 2012 would be valued at P119,000 and P89,000 respectively, with an annual
average savings of P30,000. Compared to the average saving of families nationwide, the savings
of families in the region was lower by P2,000. The region’s gini coefficient, which is a measure
of income inequality, improved slightly from 0.4915 in 2009 to 0.4592 in 2012 (Table 2.50). The
coefficients indicate inequality in the distribution of the region’s economic gains. The coefficient
varies between 0, which reflects complete equality, and 1, which indicates complete inequality.
This figure is even better than the national average of 0.4605.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The lowest crime volumes in the region were recorded in 2011 and 2012 during the
five-year period, 2010-2014. The volume of 8,137 in 2011 was about twice lower than the
volume of 17,479 in 2010 and more than five times lower than the 2013 volume of 45,873. The
crime volume in 2014 was 32,496. (Table 2.58). Contributing the increase in the region’s total
crime volume in 2013 was the surge in crime incidents in its provinces (Table 2.59). Zamboanga
Sibugay registered a 1,078 percent increase in total number of crimes committed between 2012
and 2013, the highest in the region. This was followed by Zamboanga del Norte with 483
percent; Zamboanga City, 456 percent; and Zamboanga del Sur, 187 percent. In 2014, the total
crime volume in the provinces decreased except in Zamboanga City which increased by 5.9
percent

In 2014, total crime volume decreased by 13,377 or 29.16% from 2013. This decline is
brought about by the decrease in all crimes, both index and non-index crimes. For every 100,000
people, there are around 130 incidents of crime every month in 2014.

Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded an increase in recorded crime volumes in

2013. An e-Crime Incident Reporting System (CIRS) has been institutionalized in all PNP
Regional Offices and Police Stations nationwide. CIRS is part of the PNP's strategies in
enhancing its database system and upgrading its investigative equipment.

REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY

The overall regional spatial development strategy (RSDF) of Zamboanga

Peninsula shall be guided by the principles enunciated in AmBisyon Natin 2040, Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and the Mindanao Spatial
Strategy/Development Framework (MSS/DF), 2015- 2045. The three (3) components of the
Overall Spatial Strategy are Concentration, Connectivity and Vulnerability Reduction.

The region has adopted Concentric Y strategy as its overall spatial strategy, which
is anchored on the region’s peninsular topography and areas of economic concentration. This
strategy takes off from recognizing existing growth centers (such as the regional and sub-
regional centers), which are within the corridor, the peninsula itself, and identifying the measures
to be taken to enhance the growth of these centers. Zamboanga City is currently the regional
growth center of Zamboanga Peninsula with the cities of Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan and Isabela
as sub-regional growth centers. By 2045, it is expected that Zamboanga City shall become a
metropolitan center. Pagadian City is expected to become a regional growth center by 2035 and
the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan by 2045. Isabela City and the municipalities of Molave,
Aurora, Margosatubig, Bayog, Mahayag, Dumingag, Dumalinao and Ipil are currently classified
as provincial growth centers. They are expected to become sub-regional growth centers by 2025.

ECONOMIC

The results above illustrate that economic growth is impacted by a lot of factors rather than just
one. As a result, economic growth as a goal should be pursued by a determined effort that takes
into account the interplay of numerous elements. The following steps should be taken to improve
the region's economic performance:

 The region’s economic growth should be high enough to generate jobs and to significantly
affect the region’s poverty problem. It should be higher than the 4.0 percent average annual
growth. To avoid inflationary pressure of a high growth, concerned government entities
should strengthen their price monitoring and regulatory functions.

 Support to sectors which significantly contribute to the region’s economic output should be
given more emphasis not only to sustain but to further improve their performances. At the
same time, the Services sector should be given equal if not

 The existing economic policies and programs of the government which significantly
contributed to economic performance should be further strengthened like the Agriculture and
 Fishery Modernization Act (AFMA), Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Makapagbagong
Programa Tungo sa Masagana at Maunlad na Agrikultura at Pangisdaan (GMA), Retail
Trade Liberation Act (RTLA) and Batangay Micro Business Enterprise Act (BMBES),
among others. The policy recommendations arising from this study are suggested for
implementation by concerned entities. The recommendations should be considered as a
shopping list from which policy makers could choose from depending on their priority
concerns. The RDC should take the lead in the implementation of relevant policies and in
monitoring their implementation. The evaluation of the impact of the policies should also be
considered as a priority activity by conducting similar studies in the future utilizing time
series data.

 Prices of goods and services should be continuously monitored to ensure price stability.
Thus, price data should be widely disseminated and their utilization should be advocated.

 Since it would not be wise to increase population to increase the economic growth
considering the effects of a large population on the limited resources of the government, the
government should focus on the drivers of growth which would have the most beneficial
impact on the economic and human condition of the region such as savings, exports and
maintenance of a peaceful and orderly environment. The region must also create an
environment which is attractive to savers and investors from within and outside the region
like OFWs and foreigners. At the same time, the enhancement of the capacity of the region’s
productive population should be a priority concern to maximize the utilization of
7 the region’s labor force in the improvement of the region’s economic output. Similarly,
programs to increase the population’s income should be accelerated to create demand for
products and services.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

The region shall continue to pursue toward reducing poverty by half within 30 years. Specific
efforts to attain this shall be planned, targeted and implemented within four medium-term
planning periods. The Ambisyon Natin 2040 and Philippine Development Plans and
Regional Development Plans shall serve as guide in the identification and implementation of
programs and projects across these planning periods. The region shall ensure that the benefits
from economic growth would be inclusive, shared and enjoyed by all.

 Concerned government agencies to provide and facilitate employment opportunities

 Department of Trade and Industry to focus on increasing the region’s competitiveness in
industry sectors with high-employment multipliers such as in manufacturing sub-sector, and,
pursue initiatives in further improving the ease of doing business and lowering power costs to
enhance employment and job creation
 Department of Labor and Employment to facilitate job matching and placement of jobseekers
by working closely with the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, and Professional
Regulation Commission, along with a network of school administrators, guidance counsellors
and career advocates
 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to provide work scholarship program
that aims to develop skill sets and competencies that will match available and potential job
opportunities in manufacturing and other productive sectors
 Provision of financial assistance and incentives to struggling and start up business • Provision
of alternate livelihood to poor families
 Continued implementation of the Convergence Strategy (Pantawid, Sustainable Livelihood
Program and National Community-Driven Development Program)
FAMILY

On September 9, 2013, conflict between the Moro National Liberation Front and the military
erupted. The fighting lasted for 18 days and resulted in the loss of lives and properties, and
displacement of families in Zamboanga City. As of January 9, 2015:

 A total of 23,794 families or 118,819 individuals in 14 barangays were affected by the armed
conflict while 28,798 families or 145,334 individuals were displaced in Zamboanga City.
Because of the crisis, 66 evacuation centers were established to cater to 18,110 displaced
families or 78,747 individuals.
 The government provided P501.5 million for various services and relief assistance, and P18.5
million or livelihood assistance to families affected by the crisis.
 There are 3,464 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were found qualified and were
registered under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer or MCCT–Homeless Itinerant
indigenous peoples families to avail of the program and other services.
 The City Government of Zamboanga has been answering the transportation of IDPs availing
the Balik-Barangay Program starting April 11,2014, and in moving them from evacuation
centers to transitory sites.
 A catch-up plan was formulated to address the needs of the IDPs which include the following
activities: (a) Create awareness and develop positive attitudes among IDPs, (b) Impose
regular sustainable health and sanitation initiatives,(c) Practice proper waste management,
and (d.) Provide livelihood opportunities for the IDP families.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The region shall support the peace and security initiatives of the national government toward
ensuring sustainable development and growth. It shall undertake initiatives to reduce the
presence of lawless elements in the region by 90% within 30 years. Focus shall also be given in
rebuilding and rehabilitating conflict affected areas and families to ensure that they are
developing at par with the rest of the region. Local bodies incharge of maintaining peace and
security shall be strengthened. Population, investments, critical and valuable infrastructure,
public utilities and amenities, and social and economic activities, among others, shall be
safeguarded to ensure that the gains of peace and development initiatives contribute to greater
growth and prosperity in the region

 Strengthen the intelligence gathering network of the PNP and the AFP
 Strengthen the Barangay Intelligence Network and its link to PNP and AFP
 Establish and appoint more judges in circuit courts especially in the rural area
 Advocate for the passage of a new amnesty law to encourage lawless elements to surrender
and be part of the mainstream society.
 Establishment of more police stations in the insurgency stricken areas
 Upgrade capabilities and skills of police forces and barangay tanods
 Provision of adequate facilities, firearms, materials in police stations
 Strengthening police-community partnerships through the concept of BIN, COPS, Barangay
Tanod etc.
 Strengthening of Local Peace and Order Councils (LPOCs)
 Installation of CCTV Cameras in strategic places as part of getting business permit, the
installation of CCTV cameras in business establishment
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Wikipedia contributors. (2021, September 7). Zamboanga Peninsula. Wikipedia.

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https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/zamboanga-city-five-years-after-siege

R.W. (2008, June 16). Zamboanga Peninsula’s Economy Grows at a Slower Pace in 2019 |

Philippine Statistics Authority Zamboanga Peninsula. ReliefWeb.

http://rsso09.psa.gov.ph/article/zamboanga-peninsula%E2%80%99s-economy-grows-

slower-pace-2019

[PDF] AN ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE ZAMBOANGA

PENINSULA: TOWARDS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MODEL By Mewchun WS.

Pamaran, Ph.D. - Free Download PDF. (2017, March 31). N/A.

https://silo.tips/download/an-analysis-of-the-economic-performance-of-the-zamboanga-

peninsula-towards-an-ec