From No Man’s Land to Promise Land: Narratives on Destigmatizing Marag Valley’s Catastrophic War

Abstract

In this study, the focus was on exploring the narratives of Marag Valley residents and how they undertook the challenging task of destigmatizing the aftermath of the catastrophic war following the occupation of the Communist Party of the Philippines- New Peaples’ Army (CPP-NPA.) Employing a qualitative research design with a specific emphasis on the narrative method, the research delved into the firsthand accounts and experiences of eight local participants. These participants, predominantly leaders within various sectors across the three barangays in Marag Valley, provided invaluable insights into the strategies and mechanisms they employed to destigmatize the war’s impact. The analysis of the narratives led to the identification of eight prominent sub-themes that encapsulated the multifaceted nature of the destigmatization process. These sub-themes included the effectiveness of government peace agreements, the role of government interventions, the significance of inter-agency collaboration, the creation of a positive community image, the emphasis on the value of education, the utilization of Marag Valley as a tourist destination, the incorporation of ethical values, and the influential role of social media promotion. The findings underscored the interconnectedness of various factors contributing to the destigmatization efforts, emphasizing not only governmental and institutional initiatives but also the pivotal role played by community values, education, and media in reshaping the narrative surrounding the war’s aftermath in Marag Valley. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, community leaders, and researchers interested in understanding the dynamics of post-conflict recovery and community resilience. Keywords: promise land, narratives, destigmatizing, war