mapping stateless indonesians in mindanao

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1 PASALI Philippines Foundation Preliminary Mapping of Persons of Indonesian Descent in

Mindanao, Philippines

PASALI Philippines Foundation, Inc

Persons of Indonesian

Descent in Mindanao,

Philippines Preliminary Mapping of Persons of Indonesian Descent in

Mindanao

A Periodic Report to the United Nations High Commissioner on for

Refugees

Migrant’s initiative transforms

community through technology

and Tri-people empowerment

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PASALI Philippines Foundation conducted a preliminary survey early 2012 on

communities of Indonesian migrants in southern Philippines as mandated on or

behalf of UNHCR towards stateless persons. In the Philippines, one of the identified

populations of possible stateless persons is people of Indonesian descent who live in

Southern Mindanao, referred to by Filipinos as “Marori” or ‘Indo’ by their own

account.

PASALI conducted the survey from January 24 to February 10, 2012. Sample

respondents and areas were selected to represent the population being studied.

11 Indonesian communities were visited in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur

and General Santos City where according to key informants and the Bureau of

Immigration of Glan are high concentrations of Indonesian communities.

Focus group discussions were held in 9 of these communities: one (1) in General

Santos, another one (1) in Sultan Kudarat, five (5) are from Sarangani Province

which three of those belong to Glan and two (2) in Davao del Sur particularly in

Jose Abad Santos and Balut Island. Respectively, these communities are Sitio

Quilantang of Barangay Calumpang, Purok Usman Ibrahim of Barangay Kalawag

III, Sitio Punsad Barangay Burias, Sitio Laensasi of Barangay Gumasa, Brangay

Cablalan, Barangay Kanalo (Maasim), Barangay Katubao (Kiamba), Barrio Bukid

and Sitio Huai Barangay Batuganding. Key informants include 9 Panghobong, 5

government workers, one Indonesian navy, 2 Indonesian guide, 17 UCCP-ICC

pastors and lay leaders and all the Indonesian community leaders of the 11 visited

areas. Responses of 222 correspondents comprise the results of this survey.

Respondents to focus group discussions and the individual questionnaires

comprised of youth, women, elders, fisher folks, farmers, and rice mill workers. There

are instances where respondents were grouped according to sector they belong

such as women, farmers, and fisher folks to obtain more specific information on the

issues and concerns they wanted to raise and also to get their recommendations.

To further trace the location of other Indonesians, respondents were also asked

where to find their fellow Indonesians living outside their communities.

Two activities were undertaken to initiate social awareness activities preparatory to

a larger scale mapping: one with the group of Indonesian pastors from UCCP-ICC

and another is the stakeholders’ forum with government line agencies, Local

Government Units of Glan, Sarangani Province.

The results of the preliminary survey PASALI conducted in General Santos, provinces

of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the Davao del Sur area gives the calculation

of the estimated population, descriptions of basic living conditions and their

practical concerns. Ultimately, this report offers the context from which

stakeholders can further determine the status of the Indonesians in Mindanao, and

the appropriate response to the issues and concerns.

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Table of Contents

I. ABOUT THIS PERIOD REPORT ......................................................................................................... 5

II. Mapping Statelessness in Mindanao......................................................................................... 6

1. Background ............................................................................................................................... 7

2. OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................. 7

3. SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................... 8

4. METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 8

III. KEY FINDINGS AND RESULTS ...................................................................................................... 10

1. Population ................................................................................................................................. 10

2. Profile of the Communities .................................................................................................... 11

3. Selected Basic Demographic Information ........................................................................ 15

IV. ANNEX

1. Sites Visited and Details………………………………………………….……………..Annex I

2. Key Informants List……………………………………………………………………....Annex II

3. Focus Group Discussion Sites and Number………………………………………..Annex III

4. Research Team Members…………………………………………………………….Annex IV

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Definition of Terms

The following terms, as used in this report, are understood as follows:

ACR Alien Certificate of Registration

Alien Any person not a citizen of the Philippines

BI Bureau of Immigration

Brgy Short for barangay, term for congregation of people under a unit of

government

Comelec Commission on Elections

FGD Focus Group Discussion

Identification This refers to methods that can be used to “map” the situation

of stateless persons and individuals at risk of statelessness.¹

Prevention This refers to what can be done to avoid new cases of statelessness

Protection This refers to what is needed to ensure that stateless persons enjoy their

fundamental rights, pending a comprehensive solution to their

situation.²

Reduction This refers to measures that can be taken to resolve existing cases of

statelessness.³

LCR Local Civil Registrar.

Panghobong Indonesian community liaison officer

Sangir One of the ethno-linguistic group living in Sangir Islands in Indonesia.

The Sangir are sometimes confused with the Sangil, a group who

live on islands off the southern coast of Mindanao. The Sangil are a

contemporary population of Philippine Muslims descended from

Sangir who migrated to Mindanao in the seventeenth century. They

are seen as a group now distinct from the Sangir and as Filipinos

rather than Indonesians. The Sangil also have high incidence of

non-registration of birth.5

Stateless Person Under the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless

Persons, a stateless person is “a person who is not considered a

national by any state under the operation of its laws.”4

UCCP-ICC United Church of Christ in the Philippines-Indonesian Church

Congregation

UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

_______________________________ ¹ Regional Expert Roundtable on Good Practices for the Identification, Prevention and Reduction of

Statelessness and the Protection of Stateless Persons in South East Asia:Discussion Paper, 28-29 October 2010,

Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand ( Co-hosted by the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand

and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees),p. 4.

² ld

³ ld

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4 Article 1 (1), 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Person

5 http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Sangir.html

I. ABOUT THIS PERIODIC REPORT

1. Title of the Project Preliminary Mapping of Persons of Indonesian Descent in


2. Proponent: PASALI Philippines Foundation, Inc.

Address Fil-Am Avenue (Airport Road) Prk. 11-C Block 1, Barangay

Fatima, General Santos City, Philippines

Contact

Person/Number

Maribeth N. Ty

(083) 552 1155

3. Project Duration January – February 2012

4. Project Location Sarangani Province, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur (Jose

Abad Santos, Sarangani Municipality), General Santos

area

5. Total Project Cost PHP 311.850,00

PASALI Philippines Foundation, 2012

http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Sangir.html

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Persons of Indonesian Descent in


Preliminary Mapping

II. Mapping Statelessness in Mindanao

On behalf of UNHCR and its mandate on the identification and protection of

stateless persons and the prevention and reduction of statelessness globally,

PASALI Philippines Foundation conducted a preliminary survey during the early

part of 2012 of communities of Indonesian origin in selected locations in

Mindanao, Philippines. PASALI found that nearly 5000 people of Indonesian

descent live in the coastal areas of Mindanao. About 30% are not registered

with the Indonesian consulate and 54% do not have proper staying permit

papers issued by the Philippine government.

Article 1(1) of the 1954 Convention relating to the status of Stateless Persons

defines a stateless person as someone “who is not considered as a national by

any State under the operation of its law”. Causes of statelessness internationally

are varied and many: including conflict of laws between States, arbitrary

deprivation of nationality, and discrimination between ethnic groups within a

given State.

Nearly all of the 6000 or so persons of Indonesian origin in Mindanao are born in

the Philippines. Many of the 5000 live in dire conditions, below the poverty line.

With no food security, clean water, proper shelter and difficulties accessing

education and limited access to health care, they are extremely limited in

exercising their basic human rights.

The results of this preliminary survey in General Santos, provinces of Sultan

Kudarat and Sarangani and the area of Davao del Sur are presented in this

report. It gives an estimate of their population in areas covered by the survey,

and a description of basic living conditions (including, practical concerns shared

by the persons surveyed). In addition, since this study is a prelude to the

mapping exercise of the UNHCR, recommendations of PASALI relating to the

conduct of such an exercise are included. Thus, this report offers the context

from which stakeholders can formulate and implement activities to further

determine the status of persons of Indonesian origin in Mindanao, and the

appropriate response to ensure their protection.

“The truth is that we are really confused. We must abide by two laws. What

we are asking is that they should not make it too difficult for us. What is due

to the people shall be given to the people. That is what we’re asking for

.”

- Madrudin Macpal

Indonesian born in Mindanao

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1. Background

In the Philippines, one of the populations identified who may be at risk of

statelessness are people of Indonesian origin who live in Southern Mindanao,

referred to by Filipinos as “Marori” or “Indo” by their own account. Their history of

migration dates back to the Spanish colonization period; there were Indonesians

coming from islands of Indonesia close to Southern Mindanao. These people

migrated and settled in the islands of Sarangani, Balut and the coastal areas of the

provinces of Sarangani and Davao del Sur.

Another ethno-linguistic group of Indonesians who migrated in Southern Mindanao

before the Philippines gained independence from Spain on June 12, 1898 are the

people called Sangir. Descendants of this Sangir who came early are now

considered Filipino citizens. They also belong to the 13 Islamized or Moro tribes. Those

who arrived before and after the Philippine Independence from American control

on July 4, 1946, are considered aliens by the Philippine government.

The exact number of Indonesians today in the Philippines is unknown. A government

census in 2000 noted 43,871 Indonesians in the Philippines, making them the 5th-

largest group of aliens in the Philippines. An estimated 7,200 of that national number

is thought to be living without proper registration. The Philippine government’s survey

and registration drive in 2003 and 2005 found out that there were 2,448 Philippine-

born Indonesians. The same survey found the largest community of Indonesians in

Sarangani province, with others in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao City,

Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and North Cotabato.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesians_in_the_Philippines)

2. Objectives

The objectives of the study were the

following:

1) To get a more accurate number of

the population and gain insight into

the basic living conditions of persons

of Indonesian origin in Mindanao.

2) To identify issues and concerns

which may relate to planning and

formulation of the mapping of

stateless persons in Mindanao; and

3) to initiate social preparation and

awareness activities related to the

survey and the envisioned mapping

activity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesians_in_the_Philippines

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3. Scope

PASALI conducted the survey from January 24 to February 10, 2012. Sample

respondents and areas were selected to represent the population being studied.

Some 11 communities were visited in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and

General Santos City. According to key informants and the BI of Glan, these are

communities of high concentrations of persons of Indonesian origin.

Focus group discussions were held in 9 of these communities. Key informants

included 9 Panghobong, 5 government workers, one Indonesian navy, 17 UCCP-ICC

pastors and lay leaders and all the community leaders who are persons of

Indonesian origin in the 11 identified areas. Responses of 222 correspondents

comprise the results of this survey.

Places like North Cotabato and Davao City had reportedly fewer numbers of

persons of Indonesian origin. They were not included in this survey. Only the target

areas of the project location are given the full concentration.

This survey involved 222 respondents: 55% were female, and 45% male. Their main

sources of income are farming, fishing, and domestic work.

4. Methodology

This survey utilized the following methods of data gathering:

1. Key Informants: the search for and interviews with persons who have

knowledge related to the objectives of this study;

2. Focus group discussions with target population to be able to know and

describe the basic living conditions of the population surveyed; and

3. Community appraisals to assess their number and status, and gather

additional information on basic living conditions.

Community Preparation

Pasali made a courtesy call to the Indonesian community liaison officer or

“Panghobong” to schedule the conduction of FGDs in the nine communities. Pasali

also has a link with ICC-UCCP Churches wherein they have the access to the

Indonesian pastors. The panghobongs and some pastors serve as the key informants

of the research. They are the one who sets the date or schedules of the group

discussion and gather the Indo-community during the day of the interview. The

panghobongs have the records of the number of Indonesian descent residing in its

area of responsibility. Twice every month, they roam around their areas to monitor

the population of Indo and report to the Indonesian Consulate quarterly.

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Many Indonesians in southern Mindanao suffer from lack of running water for drinking and washing, very few

have access to a village pump. “If only we could have clean water, even if we are not voting citizens.”

Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions

Respondents in the focus group discussions and the individual questionnaires

comprised of youth, women, elders, fisher folks, farmers, and rice mill workers. There

were instances when respondents were grouped according to sector where they

belong such as women, farmers, and fisher folks to obtain more specific information

on the issues and concerns they wanted to raise. Respondents were also asked

information needed to trace the locations of other persons of Indonesian origin,

living outside their communities.

Population of the Persons of Indonesian Descent

The population numbers were collected from records and knowledge of community

leaders, the Panghobong, and through ocular visits and focus group discussions. The

figures were then verified and compared with numbers from the Bureau of

Immigration Glan.

Social Preparation Activities

Two activities were undertaken to initiate social awareness preparatory to the survey

and the envisioned mapping of UNHCR: one with the group of Indonesian pastors

from UCCP-ICC and another at the stakeholders’ forum with government line

agencies and officials from the Local Government Units of Glan, Sarangani

Province.

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III. RESULTS

1. Population

Respondents gave either estimated numbers of households or individuals of

Indonesian origin in their respective areas of habitation and work.

Table 1.1 shows these figures collated:

PLACE HOUSEHOLD POPULATION

(INDIVIDUAL)

Number of Persons

enumerated

Sarangani Province:

Maitum 11

Malapatan 9

Malungon 0

Alabel 30

Maasim 30 17

Kiamba 78

Glan:

Brgy Gumasa 44 490

(in these 3

brgys)

23

Brgy Burias 30 18

Brgy Cablalan 45 24

Brgy Baliton 68

Brgy Small Margus 141

Brgy Big Margus 14

Davao del Sur:

Sarangani Municipality 1,800 38

Jose Abad Santos 230 45

Sultan Kudarat:

Tacurong 44

Isulan 178 27

Lambayong 8

Esperanza 62

Laguilayan 17

Bo. Barras 10

South Cotabato:

Upper Valley

(Nurallah, Surallah, Banga)

294

Tupi 100

Gen Santos City 107 19

The Bureau of Immigration office in Glan, Sarangani has registered around 3,290

native-born Indonesians who had acquired Alien Certificate of Registration as of

February 13, 2012. Their areas of coverage are Sarangani Province, Sarangani

Island, Municipality of Sarangani (Balut), Jose Abad Santos and Sultan Kudarat.

Majority of the population live in Sarangani, closest to Balut island- where their

forefathers supposedly first came from Indonesia before crossing the mainland.

Respondents are second and third generation Indonesian origin and most of

them are born where they currently reside. Only a handful of the original migrants

live today. Most of them are 60 years old and above.

Table 1.1

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2. Profile of the Communities

All the information stated in the profiles of each areas and/or barangays are

based on the research and interviews conducted by PASALI team during their

visit and community assessment.

1. Sitio Quilantang, Brgy Calumpang, Gen. Santos City

Quilantang is an urban community located in one of the coastal barangays of

General Santos City. Majority of the persons of Indonesian descent in Quilantang

work in big fishing companies owned by Filipino businessmen. These employers

require them to have papers, and steps have been taken for them to have ACRs

and work permits. Household income ranges from P3,000 to P7,000 monthly (with

occasional peaks to P7,000 due to higher fish catch). Some housewives are

engaged in laundry job in order to augment income for their family sustenance.

Most of them rent houses owned by Filipinos. They have access to running water

and electricity.

Educational institutions are at close distance from Quilantang. Respondents enroll

children in public elementary and secondary schools, which according to them,

are mandated by law to accept even non-Filipino students. Public school tuition

and fees are free. Of the 19 respondents interviewed, 9 have finished elementary

school, 3 high school and 4 had a year or two in college.

Medicine and medical assistance of health centers are within the reach of the

constituents. Medical services of clinics and hospitals in Dadiangas can be

availed of. Majority have membership in PhilHealth, the state-insurance service.

Water sources come from the water district and pitcher pumps. Mothers could

avail of pre-natal check up, some medicine, vaccination for their children, and

health education from the health center for free.

2. Sitio Punsad, Brgy. Burias, Glan, Sarangani Province

Burias is one of the far flung villages in Glan. Persons of Indonesian origin in the

village earn their living by tending coconut plantation owned by Filipinos. Planting

corn in vacant areas also provide them additional income. Their income bracket

ranges from P1,000 to P3,000 every month. Others engaged in subsistence fishing

use hook and line and small fishing nets. However, their catch are just enough for

family consumption, considering the short range that their manually-paddled

small fishing boat could reach. Thirteen of the 18 interviewees during the FGD said

they have ACRs.

Their water supply comes from a handful of spring and few pitcher pumps. In

2011, Burias was hit by a whirlwind which has caused the partial destruction of

some houses including the UCCP Church where they congregate regularly. The

local government and the Indonesian Consulate Office extended relief

assistance to the affected families.

Children of Indonesian origin avail of free elementary and secondary education

from public schools which are at a walking distance from their residences. Their

dwellings are made of light materials erected on lots owned by Filipinos where

they are permitted to occupy.

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Majority do not have PhilHealth membership. Mothers could avail of pre-natal

check up, vaccination for their children, and health education for free; but the

medicine supply at the health center is limited (according to the group of

mothers interviewed in Sitio Punsad). Glan has a municipal hospital that provides

medical services for all its constituents regardless of citizenship but these services

require fees.

3. Sitio Laensase, Brgy. Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani Province

Brgy Gumasa is one of the tourist destinations in Sarangani Province because of its

white sand beaches. Persons of Indonesian origin in this village mainly engage in

tending coconut farm and producing banana (cardava). Others earn from

fishing using their motorized boat while those with manually-paddled small boats

have catch just enough for family consumption. Twenty of the 23 Indonesians

participants of the FGD have ACRs.

The income bracket of the farmers ranges from P1,000 to P3,000 monthly. Having

no owned lots, most build their houses on lots owned by Filipinos where they are

allowed to stay. Residents of Laensase get their water source from a spring which

is 30 minutes away by foot from their homes.

Although health services such as prenatal check-up, vaccination, and health

education are availed of at the nearest health center, this center is more than

two kilometers away.

4. Brgy Cablalan, Glan, Sarangani Province

Indonesians in Cablalan are engaged in tending coconut plantations and

producing other crops such as corn, banana and vegetables. Some fisher folks

are engaged in fishing with their motorized boats. Their income ranges from

P2,000 to P9,000 every month, says group of fishermen in Brgy. Cablalan. Houses

are erected on Filipino-owned lots where they are allowed to dwell for free. Only

8 of the 24 participants of the FGD have ACRs.

Housing: low incomes and lack of property rights have forced some persons of Indonesian origin in Sarangani,

Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur to live in shacks such as these.

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5. Purok Usman, Ibrahim, Brgy Kalawag III, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat

Brgy. Kalawag III is an agricultural area whose major produce is rice. Most persons

of Indonesian origin here work as seasonal laborers in big rice mills owned by local

businessmen, receiving P500 to P3,000 monthly. It is during harvest season that

they have work but during land preparation and production, they have little to no

work according to the women respondents in Brgy. Kalawag. Some of them

therefore turn to backyard inland aquaculture, raising catfish and tilapia. Around


6. Brgy Kanalo, Maasim, Sarangani Province

Persons of Indonesian origin living in the coastal Brgy Kanalo work as laborers on

coconut, banana and vegetable farms owned by Filipinos. Their monthly income

ranges from P1,500 to P3,000. Others earn from fishing while women do laundry

job to get additional income. Filipino land owners allow occupancy of their

properties where Indonesians could build their houses. Only 3 of the 17

participants to the FGD have ACRs.

There is a spring in Kanalo and a few pitcher pumps where the community gets

their water from. Day care and elementary education can be availed of through

nearby learning institutions. Majority of the adults of Indonesian origin in Kanalo

have reached elementary level of education.

Very few have PhilHealth membership while medical services in the barangays

such as pre-natal check-up, vaccination, and health education are available for

free from the barangay health center according to the respondents working in

that center also. Maasim has its own municipal hospital that can be reached by a

twenty- minute ride from Kanalo, but the respondents rarely go there for lack of

funds.

7. Brgy Katubao, Kiamba, Sarangani Province

Katubao is a coastal barangay producing copra and corn. Persons of Indonesian

origin tend coconut, corn and banana farms, while others engage in fishing.

Household income here ranges from P500 to P1,500 monthly. Just like other

Indonesians in Sarangani, they are permitted by land owners to occupy some

areas to build their houses.

Services of the barangay health center like pre-natal check-up, vaccination and

health education can be availed of for free. Very few have PhilHealth

membership. According to the women family members of Panghobong in

Kiamba, water sources are coming from spring and pitcher pumps.

Elementary and secondary education is free from the nearby schools. Katubao

has a Madrasa where Muslim Indonesian children acquire Islamic education and

Arabic literacy.

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8. Barrio Bukid, Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur

According to the records of the community leader residing in Barrio Bukid, Jose

Abad Santos, there are 230 identified persons of Indonesian origin living in his area

of responsibility.

Barrio Bukid is known to have fierce waves which keep most of these persons

working at coconut plantations rather than the sea. However, some have

expressed wishes to fish further along the coast, but they would need motorized

boats and other fishing equipment. Income bracket ranges from P300 to P2,000

every month. Only 11 of the 45 Indonesians who joined the FGD have ACRs.

There are 3 pitcher pumps in the area for water. There is no electricity. They build

their homes on rented lots. Only day care and elementary schools are accessible.

Children must ride a boat to get to the elementary school. Secondary school and

college are more than an hour away from their place. No one has access to

health care, due to the distance and poor road conditions. In fact, one of the

respondent in Barrio Bukid showed symptoms of Tuberculosis and cases of death

due to zero hospitalization. Among the 45 correspondents interviewed in

community meetings, only seven claimed to have PhilHealth insurance.

9. Sitio Huwaii, Brgy Batuganding, Sarangani Mun., Davao del Sur

Most persons of Indonesian origin in Huai work in coconut plantations while few

are fishing. Their income bracket ranges from P500 to P1,000. This minimal earning

can be attributed to the system of sharing with the land owners wherein the

expenses for the work in producing copra are deducted from the share of the

tenants. Many men say they have the ability to fish but lack the equipment. Only


Water from a spring is more than an hour walk away by foot. They also collect

and use rain water with bamboo gutters leading to containers. Most of the houses

are temporary in nature and made of light materials.

ACR: the fees, penalities and travel expenses to get ACRs are so unaffordable, many are forced to live

undocumented. “We don’t even have money to buy rice, how can we afford the ACR?”

_________________________________________________________________________________



Very few have membership with PhilHealth while health services from a barangay

health center are not available. The day care and elementary school is an hour’s

walk away.

3. Selected Basic Demographic Information

1. Registration

ACR: 54% of the respondents do not and cannot renew their ACR

“We don’t even have money to buy rice, how can we get the ACR?” lamented

a respondent. About 51.36% of the respondents have an Alien Certificate of

Registration while 52.72% have Birth Certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar.

Only thirty-seven respondents or 16.85% have an Indonesian passport.

The Bureau of Immigration collects P410 for the ACR fee for new registrants who

are 14 years old or older while P210 for people below 14 years old. For ACR

renewal, Indonesians pay P160. According to the BI, this fee hass already been

lowered specifically for Indonesians, since the real fee is P1,000.

Table 1.2 Shows estimated expenses for ACR Renewal of a certain family living in

Jose Abad Santos.

ACR Renewal Expenses

Family of Cornelio Lansehe

Particulars No. of Family Members

Renewal Fee (160/head)

12 (10 children + parents)

1,920.00

Transportation (700/head) (estimated fare per person from JAS to BI Glan and vice versa)

8,400.00

Meals (100/head) 1,200.00

Lodging (1000/day) 1,000.00

TOTAL ACR Expenses 12, 520.00

Income of Cornelio Lansehe 1,000.00/mo. x 12 mos. 12, 000.00

Mr. Lansehe expenses for his ACR renewal including his family will cost him more

than his estimated income for one year.

As a general rule, personal appearance is needed for ACR registration. However,

someone may be allowed to register another person upon the issuance of a

Special Power of Attorney authorizing him or her to do so. This process usually

costs an additional P500. The penalty for those who have failed to renew their

ACR is P200 per month.

In this study, 54% of the respondents do not have or have not renewed their ACRs.

With meager income, according to the respondents, most can only afford the

renewal fee for one or two persons but not their entire family. Costs then continue

to pile up as requirements such as Barangay and NBI clearances must be

obtained. Then, there are travel costs and cost of board and lodging in the town

where the BI is located. On top of that is the penalty fee for tardiness.

_________________________________________________________________________________



In 2005, the Indonesian Consulate sponsored the registration fee of ACRs. Some

1,944 persons were newly registered in 2005, compared to 209 in 2004 and 261 in

2003. In 2006, only 512 were registered and 174 in 2007.

There are cases of mixed marriages. Many of these families no longer register.

1. Basic living conditions: water, food, shelter & sanitation

Six out of the nine communities visited in west-coast Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat

and Davao del Sur struggle with the lack of proper water facilities. In some areas

like Huai in Balut Island, people must walk an hour before reaching a spring. There

are also reported cases of diarrhea in some communities surveyed like Sitio Huai,

due to the absence of potable water. Toilets in many of these communities are

rare.

Food security is a major concern issue; a big slice of their income goes to buying

food. Three far-flung communities (Cablalan, Bo. Bukid and Sitio Huai) have poor

road condition and no electricity.

74% of the residents in the 3 far-flung areas lease land and build their own houses,

usually combinations of light materials, such as bamboo, concrete and iron

corrugated roofing.

2. Access to some basic state services: health and education

Education

Most (70%) of the respondents have some level of elementary education, some

(10.7%) have some level of secondary education, and only a few (2.2%) have

studied in college while the remaining portion (17.1%) is illiterate. Distance,

poorinfrastructure, and poverty keep them from obtaining full elementary, high

school education, and college. Public school tuition may be free, but

transportation, school supplies, project materials, and food are not. For families

who barely make enough to eat, the amount of these costs makes education

inaccessible. There are 14 respondents who obtained a college degree had

faced the situation of not being hired due to their immigration status.

Figure 2:

Respondents with

and without ACRs

Source: PASALI

Philippines,

Preliminary

Survey of

Indonesians in

Mindanao, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________



Out-of-school youth rarely have access to vocational training offered by any

institutions for technical skills to earn a living. Among these communities is Barrio

Bukid with high out-of-school incidences, teenage marriage is prevalent. 13 of the

45 respondents on the FGD in Barrio Bukid, JAS have this case.

Few institutions offer scholarship opportunities. In Davao City, there is an

Indonesian school which provides free education to Indonesian citizens. The

UCCP also sponsors one Indonesian scholar enrolled in college.

Education & Health stipends

Some respondents admitted to be beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang

Pilipino Program (4Ps). The 4Ps is the Philippine government’s poverty alleviation

program which incorporates a Conditional Cash Transfer scheme. This program

offers the poorest families a stipend of about 17% of their income to be used for

children’s needs, including food, school supplies.

Health: access to health care services

The persons of Indonesian origin living in urban areas like General Santos City

have access to medical services of health centers and public hospitals. However,

in far-flung barangays like Barrio Bukid and Barangay Batuganding with poor road

conditions, health care access can be a challenge.

In Barrio Bukid, Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur accessibility to hospital is very

difficult. During emergency situation like risky childbirth, serious illness, a patient

had to be ferried in a motorized boat to reach Glan municipal hospital. But this is

only possible to those who can afford the cost of the travel where they have to

rent motorized boat to transport the patient.

Figure 3:

Educational

attainment

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Health: state health insurance (Philhealth)

Filipinos enjoy the benefits of PhilHealth like 30% to 40% deduction in hospital bills.

At present, the monthly premium for PhilHealth self-employed members is only

P100. Most Indonesians do not have PhilHealth membership. Being primary

dependent of their Filipino spouses, some Indonesians avail of PhilHealth benefits.

About 18.18% of the Indonesians who participated in this study have PhilHealth

membership. Although it is intended for Filipinos, the processing of requirements is

not so strict especially when election is coming.

3. Livelihoods and socio-economic issues

Most of the Indonesians in Mindanao have no stable income and rely on seasonal

work from the coconut plantations, rice and vegetable production, and fishing

enterprises owned by Filipinos. It can be attributed to their low educational

Indonesian women in Barangay Cablalan, Glan, Sarangani speak with PASALI interviewers. Many families would like

to have the right to participate in government programs, particularly education and health care for their children.

Figure 1: Main livelihoods of the survey sample

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attainment, less support from agencies for livelihood training skills, and no micro-

financing opportunities.

Living & Income: coconut plantations

Majority in coastal areas are tenants of coconut plantations where they are

receiving a P500-share as tresyador (receipient of one-third portion). Such

amount is left from the tresya (one-third) share they get where other expenses are

deducted during the production of copra. Coconut farm workers receive a

varied wage rate of P100 to P200 per day. However, they only have jobs during

harvest time which falls every three months. Although they are merely tenants,

persons working in these plantations are the children of those who originally

planted many of the trees currently on the plantation.

Living & Income: rice production

The persons of Indonesian origin also reached some parts of central Mindanao

like Isulan which is known for rice production. Rice mills operate only whenever

there is harvest. Persons who work in those establishments are called only when

there are clients. Their income is P50 per day.

Living & Income: fishing

Those who can fish lack the motorized boats to reach wider fishing grounds for

bigger catch. Having manually-paddled small boats allows them to catch fish

near the shoreline which are only enough for their family’s consumption.

During the peak of the tuna industry when the Philippine and Indonesian

governments had a bilateral agreement allowing Filipino fishing vessels to enter

Indonesian territory for fishing activities, persons of Indonesian origin were hired by

big fishing companies who preferred Indonesians since they could communicate

in Bahasa with their trade partners in Indonesia.

However, when Indonesia restricted fishing in their territory a few years ago, the

tuna industry declined and persons of Indonesian origin employed in big fishing

companies lost their jobs. Having neither college degree nor technical education,

many became jobless. Some survive now as seasonal laborers in construction

firms.

Land ownership and Tenancy

Some are allowed to utilize the coconut farms for intercropping with corn as

tenants. However, they may have problems with land ownership due to

citizenship issues.

The community in Balut Island recalled a land dispute where they were forced to

sell at an unreasonably low price the property they customarily owned. It is

customary ownership since they claim to be there prior to any Filipino national,

but they have never processed documents proving ownership.

In 1981, an Indonesian who tilled a12-hectare farm on Balut Island was compelled

to sell his property for fear of deportation.

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Job limitations

Non-Filipino nationals must apply for a work permit. Majority reported to be

unable to comply with the requirements for the issuance of a work permit.

Those working for fishing companies in the Gensan area have managed to obtain

work permits with the companies’ assistance. But others, particularly members of

the younger generation of persons of Indonesian origin, suffer from not having the

legal right to be hired by private companies because of their citizenship. (Source:

FGD and Stakeholders Forum)

Social Security

Only 8.2% are members of the Social Security System. SSS is a program of the

government for the Filipinos which gives benefits that include pension, loan,

mortuary, and disability assistance.

3. Safety, security and Exercise of civil and political rights

The fear of repatriation

The fear of being repatriated is greatly felt by most who have no ACR or failed to

renew such document. Moreover, they worry of being evicted from the lots where

their houses are built should the owner utilize such properties. This fear in turn

increases the number of persons without proper documentation as they do not

want to approach authorities involved with registration for fear of being deported

Many Indonesians in Glan claim their fathers and grandfathers planted the coconut trees who now currently

on many farms, yet are prohibited to own land. If the landowner turns them out, they have no place to go

and are prohibited to work anywhere else. Therefore, says many, “it would be good to be allowed to work

for the government and private companies”.

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.

Detention

There were reported cases of detention. In General Santos City, respondents

reported an incident where three Indonesian youth were apprehended and

accused as terrorists. They however denied the allegation. It is uncertain what

became of them, whether they were released or held.

At the forum on statelessness in Glan, organized by PASALI and UNHCR, speaker

Elvira Ramos, a Filipino-American with an Indonesian husband, said that her

husband was arrested by police officers in Davao without being given any reason

therefore. Her husband was subsequently jailed for two months.

Political participation

Although it was a requirement that those who will register as voters must present a

birth certificate which confirms Filipino citizenship, 54% of the 220 respondents, or

119 were COMELEC registered and could vote during elections in the Philippines.

COMELEC representative of Glan, Gertrudez Omania, present at the forum on

statelessness for stakeholders, confirmed that “they indeed have received and

accepted non-Filipino applicants”.

Several respondents have expressed concerns over election-related harassments

received. Other complaints that surfaced were that of local officials refusing to

provide a water system to a community where some of them were not registered

voters. One has revealed that he was refused medical assistance by a local

government representative because of citizenship issues.

Respondents in selected communities reported being able to vote in Indonesian

elections due to a drive for absentee voting by the Indonesian Consulate.

4. Identity & Preferred citizenship

Some 120 respondents (55%) wish to live in the Philippines permanently. Only 5%

wants to live in Indonesia and the rest are undecided. A few 1st generation

Indonesian-born seniors (ages 60 and up), wish to have dual citizenship.

Most of the respondents prefer to acquire Filipino citizenship for they say they love

the Philippines, their neighbors, and they would not want to leave their families

here, particularly those in intermarriages. They would like the rights that go with

this citizenship, including the right to avail of the services of the government and

other opportunities enjoyed by Filipinos citizens.

They see the difficulty in starting anew in Indonesia. To stay in Indonesia would

mean adjusting to a new culture, people and having to face the heightened

insecurity of procuring a means of living.

Parallel to their wish to stay is the strong desire to retain their Indonesian

background. They prefer to be called ‘Indo’ rather than ‘Marori’ which is the term

that Filipinos had labelled them. The reasons for their strong attachment to their

origins include the lack of means to fully integrate in Philippine society.

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Figure 4:

Preferred country

of residence

mapping stateless indonesians in mindanao

Documents

persons of indonesian

indonesian guide

indonesian navy

people of indonesian

group of indonesian

southern philippines

indonesian community

southern mindanao