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Yuppies: Promoting Muslim Business and Enterpreneaurship |
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Written by Samira Ali Gutoc
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Thursday, 25 December 2003 |
Cavite in the 60s was Sulu presently. The place used to be a haven for criminals, says former Cabinet member Amina Rasul of Sulu specifically “where carnappers and hijackers lived.” But with the Cavite Governor’s iron-fist policy, he pushed out the bandits and transformed the province in 20 years to a city . “Poverty is at the root of insurgency,” Rasul said at the YMPN General Assembly held on Sunday at the National Youth Commission Conference Room.
Rasul batting for budget prioritization and employment for the ARMM says “if there is good governance, resources will flow.” Corruption in the ARMM seems to be “normal” as she cited book purchases of 100,000 pesos can actually release only a thousand pesos of said budget.
“Economic development is something to prioritize especially in conflict areas,” Rasul said as she affirmed the need to “correct the imbalance (against the ARMM visavis the other regions). Rasul cited a growing number of Muslim enterpreneaurs and businessmen who are staying and placing money in the Muslim areas. An example was banana kingpin Ibrahim "Toto" Paglas of Maguindanao. “He is an innovator because he brought Israeli technology (trainors) in a Muslim area.” Citing a NYC survey, Rasul said “young people wanted to do business.” During her stint as chairperson of the NYC (1995-1997), Rasul launched the YEP (Youth Enterpreaneurship Program), which had private sector as partners. Using the OPM (other people’s money) principle, the YEP provides youth access to capital and in exchange the youth's human resource.
“The most blessed is the business sector, “ said a Tausug intern, Norina Usman, quoting an Islamic saying. Prophet Muhammad was a businessman himself.
Promoting YUPPEACE, an internship program by the corporate foundation Phil. Business for Social Progress, Norina Usman said, “We always blame government for lack of funds. So what do we do? Join Abu Sayyaf, MNLF or MILF or rally? Back in Zamboanga City, I saw the opportunity to develop my own community,” Usman said, promoting “strategic programs to make an impact.”
“I wish we can make it, I wish we can have initiative,” Usman said.
YUPPEACE (Young Muslim Professionals for Business and Peace) provides internship opportunities for young and currently employed Muslim professionals to gain practical working experience in Manila-based companies ie Unilever, HSBC. “It is a transfer of technology from Manila corporations to Mindanao business,” Usman said.
Rasul said there was “good news” in that foreign donors are linking with government and even better civil society to do “social services.” An example is Australian AID (AUSAID) which is strengthening the madrasah as public schools by adding technical education in its curriculum. The ARMM Social Fund, another program has its own project management group from Washington. With 45 million dollars for Muslim Mindanao, the funding has initial program poured in “train teams” in barangay project management.
ARMM Social Fund Director Norhata Alonto told the YMPN assembly delegates from Zamboanga City to coordinate with the office’s Zamboanga City Director Nazlur Manzur for support to youth programs. Grassroots assistance is for projects less than 3 million pesos. Loans would be through local government units (LGUS). The criteria for proposals has not yet been released, said Alonto as she advised the assembly to “have more creative and innovative projects.”
“Strengthen links with the NYC, to provide resources that is rightfully yours,” advised Rasul. “This is true for youth in conflict situation and if NYC is not addressing it, it is reneging (on its role).”
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