| PGMA
reiterates LGUs role in economic development
|
President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, assisted by (L-R) Tawi-Tawi
Governor Sadikul Sahali, Lone District Rep. Nur Jaafar
and Sitangkai Mayor Hji. Silbin Ahaja, distributes fishing
equipment and supplies to fisherfolks in Tawi-Tawi during
the launching of Tawi-Tawi Modified Mariculture Development
Project when she visited the Municipality of Sibutu
, Tawi-Tawi. (RONALD NAVARRO/PCPO) |
In
her recent visit to the island province of Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao,
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reiterated the important
role of LGUs in the development and improvement of their locality.
At
the launching of the Tawi-tawi Modified Mariculture Development
Project in Sibutu town, the President told Gov. Sadikul Sahali
and Lone District Rep. Nur Jaafar that the project is in line
with developing the war-torn Mindanao as an agribusiness region
— the next food basket of the Philippines.
“The
way to peace begins with providing a person a job, food on
the table, and human dignity. Central to that success is to
invest in the people — in education, health care, roads,
and bridges,” she said.
President
Arroyo said the mariculture project is a best way to increase
the income of fisherfolk and improve their lives.
“Malaki
ang inaasahang kikitain ng proyektong ito. Ang mga isdang
aalagaan dito ay matataas ang halaga sa bilihan. Kaya sa palaisdaan
lamang, kung makakabuo ng 500 kilos tuwing anihan, hindi malayong
umabot sa P100 million ang kikitain. Hindi pa kasama rito
ang perlas at agar-agar (seaweeds),” she said.
Aside
from the mariculture project, the President also launched
the P324 million Tawi-Tawi Bridge-Road Partnership Project,
which is funded by GEM-USAID, Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) government.
She
said the project is a long road in the province mainland,
with a bridge that would connect the five towns of Tawi-Tawi
to Bongao.
“Investing
in the vital infrastructure also includes building up our
environment as a reflection of our commitment to our quality
of life,” she said.
President
Arroyo also visited a Madarasa to inspect the desks and chairs,
which are part of the P1 billion national budget for school
furniture to ensure that all students are seated comfortably
while attending classes.
“Spending
on physical and human infrastructure network remains central
to the ability of our nation to break the historic cycle of
despair and to prepare and to meet the challenges of the future,”
she said.
“We
have and will continue to invest heavily in new spending,”
she added.
The
President also announced the launching of the conditional
cash transfer program wherein some 3,000 poor families in
the province will receive monthly allowances.
However,
to be able to receive monthly allowances, she said parents
should ensure that their children in the elementary would
attend classes everyday.
Aside
from the conditional cash transfer, President Arroyo said
these indigent families could also avail of the “food-for-school”
program of the government to encourage them more to send their
kids to school and in turn, lessen the poverty incidence of
Tawi-tawi which is recorded at 78.9 percent.
The
President, however, noted that despite intervention from the
national government such as providing basic services to the
people of Tawi-tawi, which is considered the poorest province
in the country, many are still struggling to live.
“We
are aware that no matter how much improvement there is at
the top of the economic ladder, many of our people in Tawi-Tawi
are still struggling mightily,” she said.
She
told local officials there that the key areas of focus of
the government are the three “E’s” —
economy, environment and education.
“These
are central to lifting Tawi-Tawi up, central to success,”
the President said. (PNA)
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