Rethinking Local Citizenship and Integration of Persons of Indonesian Descent in the Southern Philippines

Abstract

This chapter interrogates the prevalent misconception of host governments that migration disrupts rather than transforms their communities. Reflecting upon the works of Takeyuki Tsuda (2008) in the context of East Asian countries, the chapter attempts to unpack the concept of local citizenship when local governments in the southern Philippines subtly grant some fundamental socio-political rights and services to Persons of Indonesian Descent (PID) as legitimate members of their local communities. This study argues that the local governments in the southern Philippines have a significant role in performing acts of local citizenship for PID. This independent research is drawn from the researchers’ direct observation and long-term engagement with PID in Sarangani province, and General Santos City in the southern Philippines. The study hopes to generate discussions and alternative discourse on ‘citizenship from below’ for migrants and host countries in the region.