NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – A profound transformation is taking place in a quiet village in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. As former rebels turn their attention to cultivating sustainable livelihoods, they find themselves engaged in a dual mission: to restore their lives and to forge a lasting peace in their community.
They have so far transformed over 100 hectares into a peace and development site, aiming to uplift their lives and strengthen peace-building efforts in their area.
Awarded over 100 hectares under a Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the group has initiated a muscovado sugar production venture in Sitio Mambinay, Barangay Locotan, in Kabankalan.
The organization of former members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas / Revolutionary Proletarian Army–Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), now known as Kapatiran, is taking steps to improve their community’s livelihood. The RPM-P/RPA-ABB is a breakaway group of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
Kapatiran chairman Patricio Concepcion told Rappler on Tuesday, October 29, that with training from the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), they began learning the muscovado sugar-making process in 2021.
However, their efforts were disrupted when Typhoon Odette (Rai) devastated Negros Occidental, making it challenging to source sugarcane for production.
Today, they have half a hectare of sugarcane under cultivation and plan to expand to a full hectare solely for muscovado production. Concepcion emphasized that they use no chemicals on their crops, resulting in healthier sugar.
Methods and challenges
One of the challenges the group now faces is finding buyers. As they reestablish connections, they sell muscovado for P55 per 250 grams, distinguishing between light-colored Class A sugar and dark brown Class B sugar.
Their production method is traditional, with sugarcane juice cooked in large cauldrons over a wood fire. A sugarcane juicer, donated by the provincial government, has been instrumental in streamlining their process.
Concepcion said cooking muscovado takes about 1.5 to two hours, requiring constant stirring by hand. Despite the labor-intensive process, muscovado’s rich molasses flavor and health benefits distinguish it from refined sugar.
Their products can be ordered directly from the community and will soon be available at a display center in Kabankalan City.
The venture is also part of the government’s peace-building efforts to provide former combatants with sustainable livelihood.
Jennifer April Casalem, Negros-South coordinator of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), said Kapatiran was formalized after a peace agreement between the RPA-ABB and the government in 2000.
Kabankalan is one of three “peace and development sites” in southern Negros, alongside locations in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, and Cauayan, Negros Occidental.
Casalem encouraged Kapatiran members to strengthen their livelihood efforts as a crucial component of the peace process.
“We have many government and non-government organizations collaborating to support Kapatiran products, and we hope for more partnerships to enhance community development,” she said.
Sybel Nobleza, Association of Negros Producers (ANP) external affairs manager, urged the community to explore creative ways to attract investors by utilizing available resources, including potential products like reed grass mats and recycled goods.
“By building a sustainable livelihood, they are also building peace and stability within their families and the community,” she said.
Nobleza said a series of training sessions, supported by non-governmental organizations and the Kabankalan local government, is underway to further empower the community to maximize resources and create additional sources of income for the betterment of their community. – Rappler.com