Philippine E-Journals

Views on BIMP EAGA from Mindanao and Manila: An Apparent Paradox

Mark S. Williams

 

Abstract:

The BIMP EAGA - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area - forms an apparent paradox with the social, political and economic structures of the Philippines, especially in Mindanao. As viewed by Manila in the north and Mindanao in the south, BIMP EAGA affects the political economy of Philippine governance in this new millennium, and comes at the issue from differing viewpoints - one political, and the other, more economically motivated. The Manila motivation is economic and seeks. to continue the power structure of politicos in search for “rents” from various economic ventures. The Mindanao motivation is political due to the Filipino Muslims’ desire to reunite the pan-Malay dar-ul Islam which had been existent until the arrival of and colonization by Spain, America, and Manila.