The SWIFT program (Support with Implementing Fast Transitions) commenced in April 1999 with the same objectives as earlier programs (GEM/ELAP), that is, providing farming/livelihood assistance. The SWIFT program also sought to build post-harvest processing facilities to improve economies of scale, and build local democratic structures. There appears to be no data on how many farmers interacted with these processing facilities at harvest time.¹

In February, Iran pledged its support to the economic development of ARMM and SZOPAD along with more bilateral trade with the Philippines.² In March, the World Bank approved a USD 10 million loan to the Philippines for the SZOPAD for poverty-reduction programs.³

Phase 2 of GOP-UNMDP commences in 1998. USAID’s GEM/ELAP program also continues through 1998 bringing 320 private investments valued at more than $700 million to Mindanao. The GEM program is credited with creating 57,000 jobs in Mindanao. A literacy program was launched in September 1998 with a grant from World Education, a U.S. NGO. By May 2000, 934 people had completed the functional literacy program.⁴

In 1997, phase one of the United Nations Multi-Donor Programme (GOP-UNMDP) begins. The GOP-UNMDP program, in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), sponsored programs aimed at some 70,000 MNLF ex-combatants and their family members. Australia was the largest contributor to the Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) under the Government of the Philippines — United Nations Multi-Donor Programme (GOP-UNMDP).⁵

In August 1997, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) hired the Berger Group to initiate the Emergency Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP). ELAP was designed to transform 13,000 former MNLF guerillas into productive farmers. ELAP, is a subcomponent of the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, which the Berger Group had been implementing since 1995 in collaboration with USAID, SPCPD, the National Economic and Development Authority and the Bangsamoro Women’s Foundation for Peace and Development (BMWFPD). GEM/ELAP commenced with funding of $2.15 million to provide three core programs (1) farm inputs and training for corn and seaweed production, (2) participant managed community credit fund, and (3) literacy program for 600 ex-combatants and their female family members. ELAP started with 4000 MNLF beneficiaries in 1997. From August 1997 to December of 1998, 4000 MNLF ex-combatants entered the corn and seaweed programs.⁶

In December 1997, $500 million was pledged in a meeting attended by representatives from the Consultative Group for the Philippines for the development of Mindanao which included livelihood training projects. ⁷

Mindanao has been the recipient or target of an extensive amount of international aid both before and after the 1996. USAID had been working in Mindanao since the early 1990’s with projects designed to help alleviate poverty and increase good governance with programs like GEM, ELAP, LEAP, and SWIFT.⁶

Narrowing the focus to international support for the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD), there were no reports of activities related to soliciting donor support for the SPCPD in 1996. The accord gives the Organization of Islamic Congress a mandate to help solicit international support until the government of the ARMM is fully in place and operational. Viewed in this manner, the OIC has some mandate in this area until 2001 when the new ARMM Government is voted into office.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

No further developments observed.

As called for in 1996 peace agreement, a regional plebiscite on the expansion of the four-province Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was held in August of 2001. Only one new province, the Muslim majority island of Basilan, voted to join the ARMM. Faced with a blatant democratic rejection by ARMM voters, even in several Muslim majority provinces, MNLF leader, Nur Misuari protests the timing and legitimacy of the plebiscite election, amid widespread calls for his resignation. In November, MNLF units claiming loyal to Nur Misuari attack AFP installations in Zamboanga and Jolo island that resulted in around 140 deaths. It remains unclear whether Nur Misuari ordered the attacks. He was arrested trying to cross the border into Sabah, Malaysia and was held by AFP security forces in the Philippines. He was later put under house arrest.⁸

No referendum was observed this year.