Mindanao is the land of bounty. Historically known as the “ Land of Promise”, Mindanao is a second largest island in the whole Philippine archipelago with 94, 630 square kilometers after Luzon.
The island seeks appreciation and attention of all inhabitants to live in unity amidst diversity and to maintain an atmosphere with high level of mutual understanding that enhances socio-economic stability in the countryside. Mindanao is also the home of tri-people that promotes good and just relationship between the Moro, Indigenous and migrant Christians working towards people’s participation in building peace and harmony. Literally, Mindanao is a peaceful place still attach to the nature and home to alluring scenes such as the plateau in Bukidnon, the rice granary area close to marshy land of Maguindanao and North Cotabato and even in the valley of Agusan, vast plantations of agricultural crops in South Cotabato and Davao regions, the rainforests in the whole island that houses endemic flora and fauna. The different and unique cultures found in the island contribute to its tourism potentials. Some of these local diversities are untapped resources that can be explored for the benefit of tri-people in the island. This would give equal opportunity and access to services for each cultural group to live in harmony and mindful of conserving its natural resources.
However, for several decades, being the land of promise is still the promise needs to be fulfilled and realized. Different cultures has bitter struggle that brought into a full war that sacrifices lives of every party. The struggle for lasting peace and sustained development in Mindanao has called the attention of all concerned group from different sectors to seat together and talk for a common vision that lives in peaceful co-existence. Today, Mindanao is calling everyone help build greater trust and understanding across the different ethnicities in Mindanao. Fast Facts about Mindanao: The Tri-People Mindanao accounts for 40 percent of the country’s total food trade and yet receives a small share of the government budget. There have been tens of thousands of soldiers, rebels, ordinary civilians killed through all the wars waged in Mindanao and other parts of the country especially since the dawn of the colonial era. Bangsamoro is the name for the “ homeland” of the Moro. Bangsamoro covers the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay; and the cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga.
The island group is divided into six regions, which are further subdivided into 25 provinces. Mindanao is home of about 60 percent of the country’s indigenous peoples. They are called Lumad, meaning ‘ native’ or ‘ indigenous’. To date, there are 17 groups of indigenous peoples inhabiting the land of promise.
Majority of Mindanaon can speak Cebuano. Christians form the majority, with 63% of the population; Muslims are 32% of the population (mostly on the southern part of the island); 5% are affiliated with other religions.