By Manny Piñol
Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture
It was Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman Saliman who pleaded to Pres. Rody Duterte last month for help to address the Cocolisap infestation which was destroying the coconut industry of the province.
I was already out of Malacañang when I received a text from Sec. Bong Go asking me to go back to the Palace because the President was looking for me.
As soon as I arrived to join Pres. Duterte’s meeting with ARMM officials, he instructed me to help Basilan’s coconut farmers.
Today, I am sailing to Basilan from the City of Zamboanga to fulfill Pres. Duterte’s commitment to help the farmers.
It’s actually raining and the seas are rough but I and the team of experts and scientists have to cross the Basilan Strait to do what we are tasked to do.
The help promised by the President must be delivered “come rain or high water.”
(Aboard MCS3006 skippered by Coast Guard Capt. Rommel Supangan with MCS3009 as backup vessel crossing Basilan Strait. Photos by Bong Piñol)
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