• The Southeast Asian review
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.133-190
• /
• 2014

We have examined its current economic conditions and status of the Bangsamoro in Mindanao and derived some important policy recommendation to build the future development plan. For this purpose, we first estimate the economic size and GRDP per capita and investigate next several economic and social indicators such as poverty rate and industrial structure. We find that the Bangsamoro is the least developed region in Philippines whose average income is the lowest and whose poverty rate is the highest in the Philippines. In addition, its industrial structure is very falling behind. Applying simple theory of economic growth, we find that several economic reasons such as lack of private and public investment caused by the political instability, high illiterate rate and less education, incapability of local government account for it. As a result, several policy recommendations are suggested to make the development plan of the Bangsamoro. First, the plan should be very comprehensive and second, it should be a very sustainable one equipped with the long run one and short run one. Third, the plan should be harmonized with that of the central government and those of neighboring local governments. Fourth, it should exploit the assistance of international development organization.