Improved peace accelerates development in Basilan

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, April 30 (PIA) -- The improved peace and security situation in Basilan has accelerated development activities in the province that paved the way for economic growth.

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman, in his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) , reported to the people of Basilan and boasted of his administration’s accomplishments for three years.

At the 14thSession of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the governor bannered peace and security programs, infrastructure, agriculture, and other social development programs that his administration implemented.

The “all-out war” the Governor declared versus the notorious Abu Sayyaf group and the sustained support and efforts of the military, police, the defunct ARMM regional government, local government units, religious groups, and civil society organizations contributed to the significant weakening of the local extremist group.

This resulted in the surrender of a total of 237 Abu Sayyafs, the recovery of 210 firearms and the capture of 32 ASG-ISIS camps.

It also launched an anti-violent extremism campaign through Islamic teaching by the Basilan Ulama Council in the entire province. As compared to 2014 and 2015, there was a significant reduction of violent clashes between the military and lawless groups from the recorded 105 confrontations to 93 during the 3-year term.

The governor believed that there was reduced crime rate compared to 2015 and aside from one frustrated kidnapping, the province recorded zero kidnapping incidents since 2016.

The improved peace and security situation  paved the way for the smooth implementation of government and private infrastructure projects without harassment and extortions from lawless groups. There was increased mobility of public and private transportation around the province because of improved circumferential road.

It has eradicated extortions of teachers, businessmen, jeepney operators and private individuals. The renewed confidence has increased entry of local investors and tourists in the province.

The local government also implemented programs that helped local farmers fight the coconut scale insect (Cocolisap) that greatly destroyed the coconut industry in the province. The problem, however, remains to be a challenge for the local government and the farmers to fully eradicate the pestilence.

The governor also reported program implemented related to environment protection, health and sanitation, and good governance, among others.

He thanked all sectors for the support given to his administration, particularly the support of the military, police and the people as a whole. It is the governor’s wish and prayer that the programs can be sustained and even out-scale by any leader wannabees in Basilan. (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan)

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