|
As part of the
President’s Super Regions comprehensive plan, which includes the
creation of five major regions, including agribusiness Mindanao to
spread development away from an inequitable concentration in Metro
Manila, the President launched the Tawi-Tawi Modified Mariculture
Development Project in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi last week. The project aims
to benefit not only the fisherfolk in the area, but also pearl
farmers, and those who harvest agar-agar or seaweed.
The project will harness the scientific knowledge and methods
derived from the research of scientists at Mindanao State
University, Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography.
During the President’s visit to Tawi-Tawi, she also launched the
P324 million Tawi-Tawi Bridge-Road Partnership Project, which is a
long road on the Tawi-Tawi mainland, with a bridge to connect the
five towns of the mainland to Bongao. It is funded by GEM-USAID, the
DPWH, and the ARMM government.
The President has been focusing on three Es (economy, environment
and education) as central to developing Tawi-Tawi, one of the
poorest provinces in the country. Aside from the government’s
investments on these fronts, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the
Philippines Mohammed Ameen Wali told the President that Saudi Arabia
is willing to provide another $18 million loan aside from its
previous P20 million loan to fund government priority projects in
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, DepEd Commissioner Nina Ricafort,
and Presidential daughter Luli Arroyo, have been asked by the
President to help prepare and submit proposals for funding by the
Saudi loan. Luli is the policy officer of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),
which is heavily involved in protecting the Coral Triangle, of which
Tawi Tawi is in the epicenter.
The Department of Agriculture will primarily look at projects to
implement the four phases of the Mariculture Project, while DepEd
will concentrate on doubling the enrolment of scholars in
agriculture and fisheries. WWF, on the other hand, can assist by
proposing ways to ensure sustainable fisheries in the ARMM.
In 1948, former President Diosdado Macapagal, then Assistant
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, was instrumental in
negotiating the return to the Philippines of the Turtle Islands,
which also belong to the Coral Triangle, from the jurisdiction of
Malaysia.
*****
Still on the
much-talked about third year anniversary program of "Pilipinas
Ngayon Na",
hosted by Robert ‘RTR” Rivera, one of the highlights of the show was
the awarding of plaques of appreciation to the show’s benefactors:
Dr. James G. Dy, president and chairman of the Philippine Chinese
Charitable Association, PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte, and
Chairman Rene Velasco of PNOC-Alternative Fuels Corporation.
On a personal note, I would also like to thank Dr. Dy, fondly called
by many, including the Malacanan Press Corps, as “Uncle James”. In
his capacity as Chair of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical
Center, Uncle James signed a memo of agreement with the Malacanan
Press Corps extending substantial discounts to bona fide members of
the MPC who may be hospitalized at the CGHMC. The MOA dispenses with
the usual hospital deposit and all that is needed for admission is
the presentation of a valid MPC ID.
Ditto for PCSO GM Reggie Uriarte who has never turned down any
request for medical assistance from my constituents in Muntinlupa
City. Thanks also to ‘Comrade’ Rene Velasco, former Director General
of the Philippine Information Agency, who used to form part of a
triumvirate, together with Secretary Cerge Remonde and this writer,
which presided over the Government Mass Media Group or GMMG.
Among the dignitaries present were New Zealand Ambassador and Mrs.
David Pine; Ambassador & Mrs. Sergio Ortiz-Luiz Jr.; Consul General
Ceferino Benedicto; Minister Counselor Deng Xijun, Charge d'
Affaires of the Chinese Embassy; Minister Wellington Wei of Taipei,
Ms. Lia Ocampo of the US Embassy; and former UN Commissioner and
multi-awarded actress Boots Anson Roa.
Segment co-hosts and presenters were teledrama actress Elyza, TV &
movie stars Ana Roces, Isabel Lopez and Marissa del Mar. Kudos to
stage director Nathan Zulueta and to Dodie King of PAGCOR for the
lights and sounds support.
*****
Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@yahoo.com and
totingbunye2000@gmail.com.
|
