From Death To Life! War-Torn Village Changes Name From ‘Maramatay’ To ‘Marabuhay’

One of the most dramatic testimonials of how effective and practical governance could change the lives of people was the story of a village in Bao, Alamada, North Cotabato called Sitio Maramatay because Muslims and Christians were locked in an endless conflict and killings.
I was Governor of Cotabato when the story of Sitio Maramatay was brought to my attention and I was asked to intercede in the conflict between Christian settlers and Iranun natives.
It was a conflict over land but when I came in to settle the problem, I found out that people in the village had not really been given enough attention by government.
There was no road leading to the village and life was a hand to mouth existence.
Using resources of the provincial government, a farm to market road was built and the villagers were provided with farm animals and support for farming.
What the Christians received as support from government was also given to the Muslims.
I did that on the condition, of course, that they would stop fighting and killing each other.
A year later, after the fighting and the killing stopped, the Muslims and Christians in the village decided to change the name of their Sitio from Maramatay to Marabuhay.
Today, they live in peace and harmony.
I recalled this story yesterday when I was invited to join the cultimation ceremonies of the 54th Anniversary of the town of Alamada, a place very special to me because of the support and faith of people in my leadership when I was Governor.
Alamada has come a long way, from a conflict-torn town to a rising tourism destination because of the discovery of Asik-Asik Falls and the establishment of the Tent City in Rangayen.
Alamada and its people have a special place in my heart because as a political leader, I have consistently won all elections there.
I have done my best for the town from the time I was Governor up to the time when I was Secretary of Agriculture and Mindanao Development Authority, including the opening of a highway which links the town to its northern neighbor, Banisilan, via what is now a tourism destination, the Tent City of Rangayen.
Today, I am back in Alamada, no longer as a politician but as an Agriculture Advocate and farmer introducing two new crops which may help the farmers – Sorghum and Soybeans.
I am also helping the leadership of Mayor Jesus N. Sacdalan in accessing technology and funds to establish a facility to process Kalabasa, now bought for only P2/kilo, into a tasty Pancit Canton.
The story of the transformation of Maramatay to Marabuhay could be replicated elsewhere in the country if and when government delivers precise and practical interventions.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!