GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Governance, peace and order problems and inappropriate budget allocation were among the issues raised during the consultation process for the crafting of the medium-term Mindanao development blueprint.

Convened by the Regional Development Council (RDC), government and business leaders in Central Mindanao held Tuesday a focus group discussion in nearby Alabel, Sarangani to map out the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan.

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Mindanao 2020 is the upgraded sequel to Mindanao 2000 Development Framework Plan. It is a strategic plan for modernizing Mindanao.

Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, also the RDC Central Mindanao chair, noted that Mindanao region needs accountability in governance and a strengthened institution to attain sustainable peace and development.

"My dream for Mindanao is to have a strong institution in which we feel the rule of law, a region where people have safety and can freely soar and reach their dreams," he said.

Dominguez said the solution to the issues in peace and security, economy, environment, and social and human development "always depends on the kind of governance a region has."

He said while the government "cannot take care of all the welfare of the people, it can provide a stable atmosphere where people can prosper, and can have equal access to opportunities."

As to improving the economy of the island, the governor said the government should provide more incentives to the private sector and campaign as well to encourage investors to put up venture in the southern Philippines.

Business sector representative Marfenio Y. Tan, said the peace and order situation in Mindanao is "very critical" to attract more investments in the six-region island, noting that Mindanao is suffering from image problems.

Since the 1970s, Mindanao has been wracked by a rebellion waged by Moro separatist rebels.

However, the on-and-off war between the rebels and the government has been limited to a minor portion. A large part of the island continues to thrive in peace all these decades.

"Once a businessman will develop a certain business, the government should help since investments are one of the keys to solve poverty. Businessmen should get protection and infrastructure support from the government," Tan said.

Tan attributed Mindanao's perception problems to be partly brought by the media, saying they should not forget that there’s good news that are happening in the island too.

Mindanao is not all bad news [involving kidnappings, bombings and war], the business leader asserted, claiming the media has become "commercialized".

They see that good news is not news for the people, [so] they are focused on the negative issues, Tan said.

On the other hand, Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority, said to attain a sustainable peace and development, the "e-governance must be applied."

E-governance for her means "effective, efficient, equitable, and economical governance."