NEWS




29April

Sulu Province receives Quick Impact Projects for the Bangsamoro

Jolo, Sulu – The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) under the Chairmanship of Commissioner Mohagher Iqbal and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the new leadership of President Shinichi Kitaoka turned-over multipurpose hall buildings in Barangay Paiksa, Panglima Estino, Sulu on April 20 and another similar project at Barangay Gandasuli, Patikul, Sulu on April 21, 2016.

These quick impact projects were a result of a meeting between the former JICA President Dr Akihiko Tanaka and MILF Chairman Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim in Manila after the signing of Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) where they agreed to implement quick impact projects that could easily provide positive impact to economic, peace and security of the communities affected by war in Mindanao.

Dr Norodin Salam, the Project Manager of Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro (CCDP-B) led the BTC Socio-Economic Office during the turn-over ceremonies. 

Salam said that the Bangsamoro people through the MILF have exerted all peaceful means for the resolution of the Bangsamoro quest for freedom and right to self-determination. “Our engagement thru political process is now popular that makes this struggle recognized not only by Philippine government but the entire world,” he said. 

In the same message delivered at Kasulutan Elementary School, Barangay Gandasuli, Salam pointed out that the project is simple expression of RSD.

Sustaining the gains of the peace process was also given emphasis by Salam. He told his audience “Not to put in mind that if there is no BBL, we will neglect development, no, that is not the case “We would continue to empower our people and develop our communities”, he added.

“In order to achieve this, every Bangsamoro must be determined and have strong faith in Allah…sincerity and open-minded individual that is not radical and extreme”, Salaam stressed.

Hadja Nusida Hajijon, the School Principal of Kasulutan Elementary School at the same time the President of Kasulutan People’s Organization emphasized the importance of unity, “In unity there’s strength,” she said. 

“We are one in our goals, purpose and aspiration for the development of our community and we thank you BTC and the JICA for providing us this multipurpose hall”, Hajijon said.

The Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) was represented by Engr. Saud Alon  and presented the background of the QIP. A representative of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other stakeholders such as the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) gave their respective message of support.