“Finding Hope in The Midst Of Deprivation”

“The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao contains 300 breathtakingly gorgeous islands and
atolls, making Tawi-Tawi the most southern province in the Philippines.” Some of us would wonder
what is like to go to Tawi-Tawi. When we search on Google, Youtube, or any social media platforms, the
possible results that will come out of our cellphones or any of our gadgets would be how beautiful the
surrounding islands are, how pristine the waters are, or how fascinating their cultures are. But how does
it feel like when you are LIVING in the borderlands in Tawi-Tawi? How do people continue with their life
knowing that they are near the country of Malaysia? Because as far as we all know, according to what
we’ve watched, most people in Tawi-Tawi are victims of human trafficking, slavery, kidnapping, and
many more. From what I’ve researched, life there is very excruciating knowing that anytime, you can get
killed, kidnapped, or abused. They live a life full of fear. Lack of freedom, human rights, and peace. But
should we be alarmed about this or should we disregard it?

Citizens are living a deprived life in Tawi-Tawi. A land where most of the necessities are inaccessible.
Their lack of proper education and health services are making their lifestyle a lot more challenging than
it already is, not to mention the dispute they face. Tawi-Tawi is an island province located in the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The province is the southernmost of the country
sharing sea borders with the Malaysian state of Sabah and the Indonesian east of Kalimantan Province.
Because of their secluded area, a land stuck in the middle of the ocean, they are separated from the rest
of the Philippine civilization. Stable jobs are tough to find, clean food and water are not secured and
even proper shelter can also be a problem.

Unrest between the borders of Malaysia and the Philippines continue to surface. Crossing the borders
illegally is a problem the people in Tawi-Tawi face. Their financial distress can contribute to the factor of
them leaving the Philippines in an unjust way. They go to the nearest country beyond the border,
Malaysia, to sell at least something like shellfishes in order to earn even just a slighter bit amount of
money to help with their daily needs. Some can earn up to USD 300 monthly, which is nearly 5 times of
what they can earn in the Philippines. Nearly 6,000 filipinos are deported back from Malaysia because of
their illegal immigration. Most of their problems are rooted in financial dilemmas. As I’ve mentioned,
the citizens have trouble finding decent jobs to support each of their own families

Human trafficking is also very common in this area. People would be illegally taken to other countries
and work there without pay and even suffer abuse whether be it physical or sexual. Several individuals
live a life full uncertainty of what’s to come. Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking. INQUIRER.net
wrote an article on fifteen newly rescued victims of the said issue. Four persons were rescued in the
operation on February 9 while eleven individuals, including three female toddlers, were saved on
February 10. Based on the report, the individuals were on their way to Papar and Semporna in Sabah
without any legal documents for traveling outside the country.

Despite any of this, the land is not just full of terror and dissonance. Tawi-Tawi is a land full of natural
wonders, with crystal blue seas anyone would die to see, the government has been making efforts in
using these natural resources to aid with their fiscal problems. They have become the Seaweed capital
of the Philippines, being the biggest seaweed producers in the country. In 2019, the government has
also been implementing new laws to help the citizens who have been under strife and violence.
Donations were also set forth to help the citizens with their needs. For example, the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government has provided 10 water desalination
machines to the island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to ensure the availability of potable water, an
essential the citizens barely have.

Living a life where necessities are already in easy reach, it is hard for us to imagine how challenging it
really is to live a life these people are living. Where food is abundant in our table, provisions are
insufficient for them. When we have a roof to shelter us from the ever changing seasons, they find it
hard to find one of their own. Children take for granted the education they receive when other people
don’t even see it as an option for financial matters continue to rise. Despite the problems they face, the
people in Tawi-Tawi continue to strive and look forward to each day with hope set in their hearts. Their
situation moves us with gratitude for the felicities we receive.