Peace and development constructs and communication roles in peacebuilding of Manobo women in conflict areas in Surigao del Sur, Philippines Rosalyn Cabulao Dayao

Dissertation (Doctor of Philosophy major in Development Communication) -- University of the Philippines Los Baños, June 2018.

Not available for public; can be accessed only after consultation with the author and thesis adviser; can be accessed only those bound by confidentiality agreement.

This is a case study of 29 Manobo women in four different areas of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines, who have been displaced due to armed conflicts: at the Evacuation Center in Tandag City and in three sitios in San Miguel. The study is qualitative and uses a constructivist's viewpoint from the socio-cultural theoretical tradition. The women were visited from July 2016 to March 2017 and engaged in-depth interviews for their constructs on what is development and peace given their 'bakwit' (evacuees) conditions. They were also asked for their communication roles in the peace process in the conflict areas. The Manobo women's constructs of peace and development are interrelated and interdependent, and the themes that emerged from their constructs are anchored on socio-political, socio-economic, and socio-cultural factors. Peace is the absence of any form of conflicts, fears, discriminations, oppressions and injustices brought about by the intruders like military, NPA and other armed groups and some conflicts internally caused by the Lumads/ Manobo themselves. Development is a socio-economic upliftment among Manobo communities through sustainable livelihood, which is farming and access to basic needs and social services. It is a product of good governance, leadership, respect for human rights and justice and concerted efforts of all stakeholders
through participation of all sectors in Lumad communities. Peace is a pre-requisite to development. And education is seen as the best way to freedom from poverty and to attain peace and development. The Manobo women identified their communication roles as being
reporters/messengers, managers, teachers [molder of values], culture bearers, presiders/facilitators, negotiators/mediators, spiritual intercessors, and leaders/advocates. A development communication program that uses an informal education platform is proposed to enhance the communication skills of the Manobo women so that they can better engage in peacebuilding dialogues and programs.