Maluso, Basilan – A few years ago, Basilan was synonymous with the Abu Sayyaf, the dreaded terror group behind kidnappings and beheadings, an island province where soldiers either earned medals for courage or where they met their tragic fate.
Today, Basilan is a safer place and it is slowly shedding off its image as an island of terror, thanks to the determined efforts of young leaders like Governor Jim Saliman who worked hard to drive away the likes of Isnilon Hapilon from the province.
I was in Basilan last Tuesday on an unscheduled visit.
My original travel plan would have brought me to the Islands of Mapun and Taganak, both near Borneo, to join the team of DICT Regional Director Tess Camba in establishing VSAT and WI-FI equipment.
As fate would have it, big waves and rough seas seen in the satellite maps of the Philippine Coast Guard stopped me and my team from pushing through with the 4-day journey.
There was an immedaite option arranged by Asst. Secretary Cherry Akbar, former mayor of Isabela City now with the Mindanao Development Authority.
Three engagements were arranged in Basilan – a visit to the Fishport of Maluso town in the Western Side of the island facing the Sulu Sea, a short drop-by in a Bajau pandan weaving facility supported by the Claretian Fathers and a trip to the town of Lantawan, the birthplace of ISIS leader Isnilon Hapilon who was killed in Marawi City.
Tuesday’s visit was my third to the island since I joined the Cabinet of President Rody Duterte, twice as Secretary of Agriculture and now as Chairman of MinDA.
The changes were very evident and I saw the vast potentials of Basilan, especially in Agriculture and Fisheries.
Galunggong sells for P70 per kilo in the fish port and obviously lower when bought direct from fishermen.
The land is fertile as shown by the lush vegetation.
But Basilan faces several challenges including the unreliable power supply which relies mainly on diesel-powered generators and power barges docked in Isabela City.
The island also has problems with its water supply both for drinking and irrigation.
MinDA will look into ways to address these problems to boost Basilan’s growth and development.
MinDA’s main focus now would be on how to help Basilan’s fishermen to have access to the bigger market of Metro Manila where the Galunggong which is sold for only P70 per kilo in Maluso, Basilan fetches as much as P300 per kilo.
#PeaceBringsAboutProgress!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
(Produced by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
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