This paper was presented at the 2018 Congress of the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI), 22 November 2018, held at the Novotel, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.

Based on the latest PRC website, there are a total of 7,3181 professionals, with Mindanao accounting for a higher percentage of librarians the Philippines has produced over the years. If the plebiscite were to be held today, the Federal movement, which started to gain ground upon assumption into office in June 2016 of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, would overwhelmingly enamor Mindanao librarians, for a number of reasons. Aside from geographically dispersed, Mindanao is far from Manila, the capital city. Its land terrain is rugged, connected with seas which are treacherous on most months of the year. Peace and order condition, tied to cultural and historical narratives, could only be understood by somebody who had lived and worked in the island. Mindanao libraries are technologically-equipped, and librarians professionally-competent, with a good number having advanced degrees and training at both national and international levels. The requirements, therefore, for Mindanao libraries and librarians to develop their fullest potentials through a Federal government, are already in place. Under a Federal set-up, Mindanao shall have its own: electronic resources, which are indigenous, hybrid, and foreign; an island-wide integrated library management system (LMS) accessible through one portal; a comprehensive agenda for the development of libraries and librarians; a federation of librarians’ associations that would represent Mindanao in international conferences such as CONSAL and IFLA; establishment of collaboration and partnerships with libraries and librarians in the BIMP-EAGA area; a library-led research agenda for Mindanao’s accelerated growth and development; and, a professional regulatory body. Combined forces of the MILF, MNLF, RAM, ASG, PSG, MAUTE, and other advocates, would certainly ensure the passage of the Federal Republic of the Philippines in Mindanao.