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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Sabah-bound boat intercepted off Tawi-Tawi

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN


MANILA, Philippines — Combined teams from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) rescued about 300 persons believed to be victims of human trafficking in the waters off Tawi-Tawi last Sunday.

Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente said the victims were on a motor launch, the ML Wendelene, which was spotted by elements of Coast Guard District South Western Mindanao and two PCG-BFAR Mon-itoring and Control Vessels.

The joint team was on routine patrol off Taganak Island at around 2:30 p.m. when they spotted the Wen-delene overloaded with passengers.

Ricafrente said that the motor launch, which has an authorized capacity of 58 passengers, was sailing towards the direction of Sabah, Malaysia.

The Wendelene was then escorted by the patrol vessels to Zamboanga City.

It was learned that the motor launch was skippered by Captain Rogello Anas and operated by Bernalda Julwadi of Canelar in Zamboanga City.

The rescued victims will be turned over Wednesday to the Visayan Forum Foundation which has been providing support, education, housing and legal advice to women and children trafficked into prostitution.






Over 200 suspected trafficked victims rescued in Tawi-Tawi

By Queenie Casimiro, ABS CBN News Zamboanga


ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – Authorities in Western Mindanao intercepted a vessel loaded with over 200 suspected victims of human trafficking.

Reports from the Coast Guard Zamboanga Station revealed two monitoring and control vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources were on routing patrol operations with joint elements from the Coast Guard District South Western Mindanao on Saturday when they spotted and intercepted Motorlaunch Wendelene at the vicinity of Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi.

The vessel was proceeding towards the direction of Sabah, Malaysia.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered that the ferry was carrying over 200 passengers, way above its capacity of 58 passengers.

The vessel is said to be owned by a certain Bernaida Julwadi of Canelar, Zamboanga City, while the ferry captain was identified as Rogelio Anas.

Coast Guard Zamboanga Station Commander Perfecto Eden said ML Wendelene is now being escorted by authorities to Zamboanga City while the rescued victims are set to be turned over to the NGO Visayan Forum Foundation.

Under Republic Act 9993, otherwise known as the Philippine Coast Guard Act of 2009, the Coast Guard is mandated to assist in the enforcement of laws on human smuggling, among others.

Tawi-Tawi agenda

By tawitawi.net


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi (PIA) – The range of Tawi-Tawi continues to propel a healthy resources supervision (NRM) module on Mapun and Turtle Islands, dual far-flung municipalities of this southernmost province.

Provincial Information Officer Abdel Nasser Tahang pronounced in a formulation assembly during a Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall that Vice Governor Ruby Sahali discussed a bulletin with a endangered agencies participating in a doing of a module that includes mangrove planting in partnership with a Department of Environment and Natural Resources, fruit-bearing tree planting, dive exploration, and coastal apparatus supervision and meridian change.

Suspect in slay of Tawi-Tawi deputy police chief killed in shootout

By Karen Boncocan

INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines—Authorities shot dead a suspect who killed a deputy police chief in Tawi-Tawi province Monday night. Inspector Erick Fregillana, Bongao town deputy police chief died after being shot by Abdul Sabdani at 8:38 p.m. in Pahut village, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said. Police said that Fregillana was trying to wrestle an M16 rifle from Sabdani when he was shot. The suspect was under investigation for a traffic incident at that time, said Cruz. Bongao town police tried to shoot at the suspect but it took three hours and several more officers from the Tawi-Tawi police to fight off Sabdani who was killed in the shootout. Recovered from Sabdani were an M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .38 revolver, a rifle grenade and a homemade airgun.

Tawi-Tawi agenda

By mb.com.ph


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi (PIA) – The province of Tawi-Tawi continues to propel its natural resources management (NRM) program on Mapun and Turtle Islands, two far-flung municipalities of this southernmost province.

Provincial Information Officer Abdel Nasser Tahang said in a planning meeting at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall that Vice Governor Ruby Sahali discussed the agenda with the concerned agencies participating in the implementation of the program that includes mangrove planting in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, fruit-bearing tree planting, dive exploration, and coastal resource management and climate change.

9th PNP Maritime to build gunboat unit in Tawi-Tawi

By Allen Abastillas


The 9th Maritime Mobile Unit will soon construct a special gunboat unit in Bongao and Mapun Tawi-Tawi.

Newly assumed 9th MMU chief Sr. Supt. Agustin Derio Molina said the construction of the special gunboat unit in Bongao and Mapun is in partnership with the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi under Gov. Sadikul Sahali.

The special gunboat unit includes a wharf and a building that will house a gunboat.

Molina said the Philippine National Police Maritime national headquarters is expected to receive a gunboat that will be donated by the US- Department of Justice.It will be detailed in Bongao and Mapun to combat piracy and lawlessness in the high seas.

Molina said his office is waiting for the formal donation of the 2,500 square meters coastal area in Bongao and Mapun from the provincial government.

According to Molina, the 9th MMU has a big command group of area of jurisdiction because it has a two regions — 9th MMU and Maritime Mobile Unit of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for Basilan ,Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

At present, the gunboat donated by the US Department of Justice is now detailed in Balabak Palawan.

Malaysia is also speeding up the construction of a special gun boat unit because they also want to receive similar donation from the US government, Molina revealed..

Before assuming command last November 3, Molina was assigned in Palawan. He graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy in 1985.

Former 9th MMU chief Sr. Supt. Eduardo Serapio Garado is now the new assigned in Cebu City (Region 7).

Tawi-Tawi to propel environment program in Mapun, Turtle Island

By Zamboanga Times


The Province of Tawi-Tawi is on another leg next week of propelling its Natural Resources Management (NRM) program in Mapun and Turtle Island, two far-flung municipalities of this southern province.

Provincial Information Officer Abdel Nasser Tahang reported that in a planning meeting at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall Tuesday, Vice Governor Ruby Sahali discussed the agenda with the concerned agencies participating in the implementation of the program.

The NRM activities include mangrove planting in partnership with the DENR, fruit-bearing tree planting with the DA, dive exploration with WWF, and Coastal Resource Management and Climate Change with WWF and DA.

Tahang added that social services that will be included are Brigada Iskwela, maternal and child care, 4P’s beneficiary assessment, Islamic lectures, assistance to Mother’s Club of Turtle Island, operation gupit, and medical/dental services.

Sahali said these are the programs and activities that the provincial government is undertaking since 2010 in line with its implementation of the province’s NRM program. She said that after Mapun and Turtle Island, she has eyed for Sapa-Sapa municipality as the next recipient.

“We are doing this public service for the benefits of the people and we have set aside politics here,” she said.

Meanwhile, Task Force 62 commander, Captain Renato Yongque, PN, GSC, has assured the availability of a navy boat to ferry the Mapun and Turtle Island-bound group this week end. — RVC/PIA

Basic services

By Nonoy Lacson


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – National and provincial government agencies here will conduct on Monday an evaluation on the basic and social services that the provincial government is extending to the municipalities of Mapun and Turtle Islands. Vice Governor Ruby Sahali-Tan said the evaluation aims to further improve the basic and social services that the province is extending to the people of the province.

Tan said senior officials of the province, including officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and World Wide Fund for Nature will compose the group in the conduct of the evaluation.

Cops still seeking info on blank fish breeder and his Filipino abductor

By THE TAWI-TAWI JOURNAL


KOTA KINABALU: There has been no word from Malaysian fish breeder Pang Chong Pong a month after he was abducted during Sitangkai Island in a uneasy southern Philippines region.

Philippine military in a Tawi Tawi range pronounced conjunction Pang, 47, nor his purported abductor Merham Maraji, a former business partner of Pang, could be traced.

“We have filed a rapist box for abduction and so far, no release direct has been made,” Tawi Tawi provincial military director Senior Supt Rodeleo Jocson pronounced Sunday.

He pronounced a military had checked with family members of Maraji and also his neighbours in Sitangkai though they pronounced they had not seen him or any Chinese man.

“Maraji seems to have left but a trace,” he said, adding that he had not been seen during his home encampment in Panglima Segala either, that is partial of a Tawi Tawi sequence of islands.

Pang, a father of 3 children from Sarawak, operated a fish-breeding plantation in Semporna and had entered Philippines illegally with 3 Filipino workers to buy uninformed fish shrimp.

Maraji, a former workman of Pang, who after became a business associate, was purported to have forced Pang during gunpoint into his vessel on Oct 5. Pang’s workers were not harmed.

Supt Jocson pronounced formed on declare statements, military trust there was a disagreement between a two.

Maraji had no famous links to kidnap syndicates or belligerent groups, he said.

He combined that Pang had entered Sitangkai in an unregistered speedboat.

Sitangkai is about a 30-minute vessel float from Sabah’s Semporna.

Pang’s family members pronounced Sunday they had not listened anything given a kidnapping.

‘Surgical strike’ backed

By Ryan Ponce Pacpaco


MUSLIM lawmakers yesterday strongly endorsed surgical strike against perpetrators of the series of fatal attacks on government forces, but rejected all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as this would endanger the lives of innocent people.

In a press conference, Tawi-Tawi Rep. Nur Jaafar said “a surgical operation should be adopted against the perpetrators of this heinous crime. We have to unleash the full might of our law.”

Jaafar stressed that a surgical operation “can be done with good intelligence report with the cooperation of the local authorities. In this way, civilians won’t suffer. We don’t want an all-out war because we know the collateral damage – non-combatants and civilians.”

He sought the review of the existing ceasefire agreement with the MILF which he said is “duty-bound to police their ranks so that these untoward incidents won’t happen again.”

“The provisions on disciplining their (MILF) ranks must be included in the ceasefire agreement, so that other groups won’t be able to use them (as shields from liability),” he said.

In the same press conference, Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman urged the MILF leadership to turn over the violators of the ceasefire agreement “to complement the efforts of the government.”

“The GPH and the MILF should discuss how to deal with these perpetrators,” he said. “Such provisions should be in the ceasefire agreement.”

House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman urged President Benigno Aquino III to “convene soonest the National Security Council (NSC) to rationally and effectively address the escalating carnage being repeatedly committed by MILF rebels against government soldiers and civilians.”

“The President must not rely on the bungling assessment of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the amateurish pronouncements of Presidential spokespersons,” said Lagman.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez filed House Resolution No. 1841 calling on the House Committee on National Defense and Security to investigate the effects of Al-Barka incident to the peace negotiations between the government and MILF.

Mindanao lawmakers call for review of ceasefire agreement

By Kathrina Alvarez/Jonathan de Santos/SDF/Sunnex


(UPDATED) The ceasefire agreement with Moro rebels must be reviewed if the government wants to bring long-awaited peace in Mindanao, Muslim lawmakers said Monday.

“We have to review the existing ceasefire agreement. The MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) is duty bound to police their ranks so that these untoward incidents won’t happen again,” Tawi-Tawi Representative Nur Jaafar said in a press briefing.

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"The provisions on disciplining their (MILF) ranks must be included in the ceasefire agreement, so that other groups won’t be able to use them," said the lawmaker adding that some lawless elements or other rebel groups use the MILF to shield themselves from any liability.

The MILF claimed responsibility for last week’s bloody ambush attack, which claimed the lives of 19 Special Forces soldiers. They were also responsible for the twin attacks in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 20.

On Sunday, four civilians were included in the eight recorded fatalities out of two separate attacks believed to be committed also by the MILF.

In its official website, the MILF claimed that it was the military which violated the ceasefire agreement after the latter attacked an area “where innocent civilians are being caught in the middle of the ferocious artillery strike”.

“This attack of the government forces blatantly violated the existing ceasefire accord between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF, which only overstates the insincerity of the government and its armed forces with the ongoing peace process and ceasefire,” the group said referring to the incident in Basilan.

Meanwhile, Muslim legislators urged the public to respect the decision of Aquino to continue the government’s pursuit of peace as a declaration of an all-out war against the rebel group may harm hundreds of civilians.

Jaafar, together with Representatives Jim Hataman-Saliman (Basilan), Bai Sandra Sema (Maguindanao and Cotabato City), Pangalian Balindong (Lanao del Sur) and Nur-ana Sahidulla (Sulu) expressed this position considering their constituents which may greatly be affected by such move.

"Once (the) President declares war, it is not only Mindanao but the whole Philippines (that) will be affected," Sema noted.

Like President Aquino, they said an investigation should first be conducted if there were lapses on the side of the government troops.

Balindong, for his part, noted that the public should remain vigilant against anyone or any group who would take advantage of the situation to sow more fear and disorder.

"We must support pursuit operations against lawless elements, but not against the MILF. The just response to aggression must be discriminate; it must be directed only against unjust aggressors, not against innocent people caught up in a war not of their making,” he said in a press statement.

Senators call for end to ceasefire, direct action

Calls for suspension of the ceasefire agreement resounded in the halls of the Senate as well. Senator Francis Pangilinan, a member of President Benigno Aquino III's Liberal Party, said the ceasefire should be lifted after reports of continued MILF attacks that have killed seven more, five of whom were civilians.

"We also urge the President to suspend peace talks with the MILF temporarily. The GPH (Philippine government) and the MILF must first strengthen the mechanisms of the peace talks, specifically the provisions on ceasefire violations,” he said.

"Ceasefire violations are a hindrance to genuine peace talks. The strengthening of mechanisms against such violations is crucial to both parties moving forward with the peace negotiations. This must include provisions on bringing to justice those perpetrators who, with their actions—regardless of their motives—have resulted in the loss of lives,” he added.

In a separate statement released Monday morning, Pangilinan said rogue elements of the rebel group should be met with "the full force of the law."

“We cannot simply turn a blind eye to the murderous and lawless armed elements in the area, who, with treachery, take advantage of the restraint exercised by our men in uniform out of respect for the peace process,” he said in a press statement.

In a text message to Sun.Star, the senator made clear that he was not blaming a clash in Basilan that left 19 soldiers dead on MILF "lost commands," or MILF members who have gone rogue. He said he meant rogue members of the group in general.

"We should continue to talk peace with the MILF but we should show no mercy for the murderous lost commands. We trust that the MILF will agree that these lost commands should be dealt with the full force of the law," he said. He changed his stance on peace talks Monday afternoon.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, on Monday, also said Philippine security forces should be allowed to enter MILF "areas of temporary stay" to go after lawless elements.

She said pursuit operations against criminals fall under "military necessity" as defined under the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, which was passed in 2009.

The law defines military necessity as "necessity of employing measures, which are indispensable to achieve a legitimate aim of the conflict and are not otherwise prohibited by International Humanitarian Law."

She said military necessity "trumps any ceasefire agreement." She said this in reaction to recent MILF attacks in Basilan that left soldiers and plantation workers dead.

The senator added the MILF should be made accountable for the attacks because of command responsibility. She said if the MILF cannot rein its forces in, "there would be no point continuing peace talks with them.”

With plantation workers among the casualties in an ambush in Lanao Del Norte, Santiago said "the rebels are guilty of war crimes.”

"We don’t have to wait for the next round of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur. Great necessity requires great action to defend the state. We do not need the approval of the International Monitoring Team or the MILF,” she said.

She warned that if the government continues to stay out of these areas of temporary stay, the military will be “so severely hampered in its law enforcement functions that the Philippines would be flirting with the status of a failed state.”

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, from Cagayan de Oro, menwhile said that although he understands the sentiments of people, including fellow lawmakers, calling for a military assault on the MILF, "we should look at the over-all picture and seek lasting peace even as we demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice."

He said that as a lawmaker from Mindanao, he "knows first-hand" that Mindanao's peace and order problem is rooted in poverty. He said the solution lies not in military action but in going back to the negotiating table. “All-out war against the MILF will only exacerbate the socio-economic conditions in Muslim Mindanao," he warned.

The senator, who joined the Senate majority bloc when he took office in August, said he will support President Benigno Aquino III's decision to push through with peace talks with the MILF.

For its part, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a pastoral letter on Monday, appealing to its followers to continue pushing for peace, which it says is the best way to end the conflict in Mindanao.

"Nobody wins in a war; let us renounce violence’ let us not allow these violent acts of lawless elements to provoke us to further violence," CBCP president Nereo Odchimar said in a pastoral letter.

The series of violent events, including the killing of an Italian priest, has prompted a "reflex reaction" among other sectors who are in favor of an all-out war against the MILF.

"The reactions are valid, and the perpetrators of these dastardly acts must indeed be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice," he reiterated, adding that time, energy and resources have also been invested for peace-building.

Bangun Ra'ayat expands to other Tawi-tawi towns

By Bernie Concepcion


The Tawi-Tawi-based newly recognized Non-government organization has organized its various local chapters in the different towns of the island province in order to further expand its membership to be able to better serve its constituents and spread its principles of unity and peace. Bangun Raa’yat, Inc Sec. Gen Sonardy Jayari said the organization, which was formed recently has set up its municipal chapters in the towns of Mapun, Turtle Island, Tandubas, Sapa-Sapa, Simunul, Sibutu, Sitangkai, Languyan, Panglima Sugala, and the capital town of Bongao. “There is a need for us to expand our area of coverage in order we could deliver our services and spread to the different islands our advocacy, said Jayari. Supported by other pioneering members, Jayari said the organization would be embarking on various programs and projects envisioned in our constitution and by-laws which we wanted to attain in the next few months. This pledging NGO has the following objectives; To support the government and non-government programs on peace and development efforts: To be responsible and productive citizens in the community; To promote human dignity and social justice in the community; To advocate and promote preservation and respect for human right;. To promote social awareness among the members and the constituents in the community; To coordinate with the different government agencies, on matters that will enhance the morale and welfare of the constituents; To assist and engage on livelihood programs and projects to help alleviate the living condition of the people;. To secure assistance/aid from various government and non-government institutions both local and foreign entities for the benefit of the community; and To initiate and conduct other legitimate activities as necessary. Each town had started to form its own chapter and enlisted new members after undergoing the basic screening and orientation workshops, Oath-taking rites will be officially administered by the provincial chapter which will be scheduled later. Some hundred of members are already bonafide members of the NGO representing the cross-section of the communities of the island province, particularly in the town of South Ubian. Considering the distance of every municipality and geographical setting of the island province, it is imperative and practical for the individual chapter to exist, said the official. “As much as possible , we wanted to reach all sectors in order to involve everyone in our advocacy,” he said. He added that Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu and Basilan will soon have their separate chapters and will be appropriately recognized. Bangun Ra’ayat was given a tremendous boost following its official registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just recently.(faber_concepcion2004@yahoo.com)

Upgraded Tawi-Tawi airport draws commercial airlines and interest from investors

By BusinessWorld Online


BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI — Once considered one of the most inaccessible provinces in the country, Tawi-Tawi is experiencing a surge in business activity and investor interest. Through a partnership between the Philippine and US governments, the Tawi-Tawi airport runway was upgraded.

This month, Cebu-Pacific begins new commercial flight routes daily from Zamboanga City to Sanga-Sanga airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, using an Airbus A319.

Earlier, Airphil Express began flying a 77-seater along the same route, with connecting flights to Manila and Davao.

“The presence of two commercial airlines means more competitive transport rates, which is good for business,” said a local entrepreneur.

The Department of Transportation and Communications, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program implemented the runway project.

“Linking Tawi-Tawi to the rest of the country and the world is in line with the Philippine Government’s efforts to ensure the physical integration of Mindanao through major transport infrastructure,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority, which oversees implementation of USAID’s GEM Program.

The Tawi-Tawi runway was extended by USAID from 1,608 to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters. It is now all-concrete, and able to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

“The A319 has a large cargo hold, which is convenient for shipping live fish to buyers in Manila, Hong Kong and other destinations, without having to repack the cargo,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice-president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He added that the air links would support the expansion of the mariculture industry in Tawi-Tawi, home to the Sulu Archipelago’s only multi-species hatchery.

The chamber and the provincial government worked with the airlines and the CAAP to expedite the establishment of the new flights

Previously, travelers going from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi had to endure a 17-hour ferry ride.

The easy access by air has drawn investors and domestic tourists to the island-province, where in recent months two small beachside hotels have opened, in addition to the expansion of existing resorts.

Redentor Lauddin, director of the Tawi-Tawi Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that Malaysian investors have expressed interest in linking Tawi-Tawi with the thriving tourism industry in nearby Sabah.

In addition to resort development, there are investment opportunities in power generation, cold storage, and housing development which are opening up in the wake of the new flight routes, said Mr. Lauddin.

Tawi-Tawi turns into busy hub after airport upgrade

By The Daily Tribune


Once considered one of the most inaccessible provinces in the country, Tawi-Tawi is experiencing a surge in business activity and investor interest. Through a partnership between the Philippines and US governments, the Tawi-Tawi airport runway was upgraded.

This month, Cebu-Pacific begins new commercial flight routes daily from Zamboanga City to Sanga-Sanga airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, using an Airbus A319.

Earlier, Airphil Express began flying a 77-seater along the same route, with connecting flights to Manila and Davao.

“The presence of two commercial airlines means more competitive transport rates, which is good for business,” said a local entrepreneur.

The Department of Transportation and Communications, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program implemented the runway project.

“Linking Tawi-Tawi to the rest of the country and the world is in line with the Philippine Government’s efforts to ensure the physical integration of Mindanao through major transport infrastructure,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority, which oversees implementation of USAID’s GEM Program.

The Tawi-Tawi runway was extended by USAID from 1,608 to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters. It is now all-concrete, and able to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

“The A319 has a large cargo hold, which is convenient for shipping live fish to buyers in Manila, Hong Kong and other destinations, without having to repack the cargo,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He added that the air links would support the expansion of the mariculture industry in Tawi-Tawi, which is home to the Sulu Archipelago’s only multi-species hatchery, which was established with assistance from USAID.

The chamber and the provincial government worked with the airlines and the CAAP to expedite the establishment of the new flights.

Previously, most travelers going from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi had no choice but to endure a seventeen-hour ferry ride.

The easy access by air has drawn investors and domestic tourists to the picturesque island-province, where in recent months two small beachside hotels have opened, in addition to the expansion of existing resorts.

“The number of rooms is still limited, but already one group is proposing to hold a small convention here,” said Masahud.

“The diving association has had so many inquiries, it’s now working to mark key dive sites, from sunken vessels to coral walls,” he added.

Redentor Lauddin, director of the Tawi-Tawi Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that Malaysian investors had expressed interest in linking Tawi-Tawi with the thriving tourism industry in nearby Sabah.

“Tourism links are part of our development strategy under the Mindanao 2020 plan, which aims to establish seamless connections for trade and tourism,” said Antonino.

Upgraded Tawi-Tawi airport draws commercial airlines and investor interest

By .mb.com.ph


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – Once considered one of the most inaccessible provinces in the country, Tawi-Tawi is experiencing a surge in business activity and investor interest. Through a partnership between the Philippines and US Governments, the Tawi-Tawi airport runway was upgraded.

This month, Cebu-Pacific begins new commercial flight routes daily from Zamboanga City to Sanga-Sanga airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, using an Airbus A319.

Earlier, Airphil Express began flying a 77-seater along the same route, with connecting flights to Manila and Davao.

“The presence of two commercial airlines means more competitive transport rates, which is good for business,” said a local entrepreneur.

The Department of Transportation and Communications, the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program implemented the runway project.

“Linking Tawi-Tawi to the rest of the country and the world is in line with the Philippine Government’s efforts to ensure the physical integration of Mindanao through major transport infrastructure,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority, which oversees implementation of USAID’s GEM Program.

The Tawi-Tawi runway was extended by USAID from 1,608 to 1,920 meters, and widened from 18 to 30 meters. It is now all-concrete, and able to accommodate larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

“The A319 has a large cargo hold, which is convenient for shipping live fish to buyers in Manila, Hongkong and other destinations, without having to repack the cargo,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He added that the air links would support the expansion of the mariculture industry in Tawi-Tawi, which is home to the Sulu Archipelago’s only multi-species hatchery, which was established with assistance from USAID.

The chamber and the provincial government worked with the airlines and the CAAP to expedite the establishment of the new flights.

Previously, most travelers going from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi had no choice but to endure a seventeen-hour ferry ride.

The easy access by air has drawn investors and domestic tourists to the picturesque island-province, where in recent months two small beachside hotels have opened, in addition to the expansion of existing resorts.

“The number of rooms is still limited, but already one group is proposing to hold a small convention here,” said Masahud.

“The diving association has had so many inquiries, it’s now working to mark key dive sites, from sunken vessels to coral walls,” he added.

Redentor Lauddin, director of the Tawi-Tawi Board of Investments-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said that Malaysian investors had expressed interest in linking Tawi-Tawi with the thriving tourism industry in nearby Sabah.

“Tourism links are part of our development strategy under the Mindanao 2020 plan, which aims to establish seamless connections for trade and tourism,” said Secretary Antonino.

In addition to resort development, there are investment opportunities in power generation, cold storage, and housing development which are opening up in the wake of the new flight routes, said Lauddin.

No word on blank S’wakian: Anifah

By Tawi-Tawi Journal


BONGAWAN: The Foreign Ministry has nonetheless to accept any information on a news about a disappearance of a 47-year-old Sarawakian, Pang Chong Pong, in Tawi-Tawi, Southern Philippines.

Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Anifah Aman pronounced they are capricious either Pang has left blank or kidnapped by several Filipinos as reported by an general handle agency.

“So far, there is no recover concerned in a box (to recover a victim).

However, we will liaise with a Philippine Government,” he said.

Anifah, who is also Kimanis MP, pronounced this to Daily Express after presenting contributions to 46 people from a Bongawan and Membakut constituencies, who will shortly be behaving a Haj in Mecca, during Nurul Hidayah Mosque in a township, Saturday.

They will be withdrawal Sabah to perform a event on Oct. 20 and 27.

According to an AP report, Pang, a businessman, was believed kidnapped by 4 Filipinos while shopping live fish during Pondohan Lok Anki, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.

Pang, who hailed from Kuching, Sarawak, was believed to be with 3 of his Filipino workers in dual boats when he was kidnapped.

The news settled 3 of Pang’s workers were believed to have been incarcerated by a Philippine military for investigation.

Pang is a second Malaysian still being hold somewhere in southern Philippine waters. The other is a male from Selangor who went to Tawi-Tawi to buy geckos late final year.

On Thursday, State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib reliable Sabah military had perceived a news about a disappearance of Pang in Tawi-Tawi from his relative. However, Hamza pronounced they are not certain either Pang went blank or was kidnapped.

Meanwhile on a Indonesian situation, Anifah pronounced a series of protestors who staged bootleg demonstrations outward a Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, recently, were being paid to do so by unethical people in Indonesian internal politics.

“The demonstrators are there since they have been hired to do so and a scripts are supposing by those people who sinecure them.

They will stay for an hour and get a tasks finished only for money.

“In fact, all of them do not know what is function outward É Indonesian officials have accurate that a nation has not mislaid any of a territories in Camar Bulan and Tanjung Datu, in West Kalimantan, to Malaysia,” he said.

He pronounced a proof does not offer a purpose of any antithesis members when Malaysia and Indonesia are operative tighten together.

Anifah also voiced his thankfulness to a Indonesian Government for providing some-more than 300 policemen to sunder a bootleg demonstrations outward a embassy.

“These insane people are only ludicrous and formulating something that we call ‘cheap politics’ in a region. We have zero to worry about.

“It is fine to revisit IndonesiaÉin fact, we will be going to Indonesia really soon.

But my recommendation is that visitors including Malaysians who are staying and operative in Indonesia should equivocate going to areas that poise risk to their lives,” he said.

No word on blank S’wakian: Anifah

By Tawi-Tawi Journal


BONGAO, Philippines – Top officials of the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi foresee a major boost to their socio-economic development, including BONGAWAN: The Foreign Ministry has nonetheless to accept any information on a news about a disappearance of a 47-year-old Sarawakian, Pang Chong Pong, in Tawi-Tawi, Southern Philippines.

Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Anifah Aman pronounced they are capricious either Pang has left blank or kidnapped by several Filipinos as reported by an general handle agency.

“So far, there is no recover concerned in a box (to recover a victim).

However, we will liaise with a Philippine Government,” he said.

Anifah, who is also Kimanis MP, pronounced this to Daily Express after presenting contributions to 46 people from a Bongawan and Membakut constituencies, who will shortly be behaving a Haj in Mecca, during Nurul Hidayah Mosque in a township, Saturday.

They will be withdrawal Sabah to perform a event on Oct. 20 and 27.

According to an AP report, Pang, a businessman, was believed kidnapped by 4 Filipinos while shopping live fish during Pondohan Lok Anki, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi.

Pang, who hailed from Kuching, Sarawak, was believed to be with 3 of his Filipino workers in dual boats when he was kidnapped.

The news settled 3 of Pang’s workers were believed to have been incarcerated by a Philippine military for investigation.

Pang is a second Malaysian still being hold somewhere in southern Philippine waters. The other is a male from Selangor who went to Tawi-Tawi to buy geckos late final year.

On Thursday, State Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib reliable Sabah military had perceived a news about a disappearance of Pang in Tawi-Tawi from his relative. However, Hamza pronounced they are not certain either Pang went blank or was kidnapped.

Meanwhile on a Indonesian situation, Anifah pronounced a series of protestors who staged bootleg demonstrations outward a Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, recently, were being paid to do so by unethical people in Indonesian internal politics.

“The demonstrators are there since they have been hired to do so and a scripts are supposing by those people who sinecure them.

They will stay for an hour and get a tasks finished only for money.

“In fact, all of them do not know what is function outward É Indonesian officials have accurate that a nation has not mislaid any of a territories in Camar Bulan and Tanjung Datu, in West Kalimantan, to Malaysia,” he said.

He pronounced a proof does not offer a purpose of any antithesis members when Malaysia and Indonesia are operative tighten together.

Anifah also voiced his thankfulness to a Indonesian Government for providing some-more than 300 policemen to sunder a bootleg demonstrations outward a embassy.

“These insane people are only ludicrous and formulating something that we call ‘cheap politics’ in a region. We have zero to worry about.

“It is fine to revisit IndonesiaÉin fact, we will be going to Indonesia really soon.

But my recommendation is that visitors including Malaysians who are staying and operative in Indonesia should equivocate going to areas that poise risk to their lives,” he said.

Economic boost

By Nonoy Lacson


BONGAO, Philippines – Top officials of the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi foresee a major boost to their socio-economic development, including the expected easier mobility of people and goods to and from the province, with the entry of a leading commercial airline here.

Governor Sadikul Sahali said the entry of a new commercial airline here will further enhance the eco-tourism industry, and socio-economic activities in the province.

“We expect a new beginning in the tourism and economic activities in the province because domestic and foreign tourists can now visit the province anytime, likewise, businessmen can easily engage in business activities,” Sahali said. (Nonoy Lacson)

products in Tawi-Tawi

By Philippine News Agency


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Philippine Navy operatives have intercepted a boat loaded with illegally cut forest products estimated to be worth millions of pesos off Tawi-Tawi province, a Navy official announced Monday.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander Rear Admiral Armando Guzman said the boatload of illegally cut forest products was confiscated around 2 p.m. Saturday in the vicinity of Lamion Point, Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi province.

Guzman said the confiscated shipment consisted of 10,000 board feet of undocumented assorted good lumber and 69 round logs.

Guzman said troops from the Naval Special Operations Unit-1 (NAVSOU-1) under the operational control of Naval Task Force 62 were conducting Maritime Interdiction Operation and Maritime Security Patrol when they spotted M/L Sulna sailing towards the port of Bongao municipality.

Guzman said the skipper and crew of M/L Sulna failed to present documents to show the legality of the shipment of the forest products when the troops inspected the wooden-hulled ferry.

M/L Sulna, which is owned by Hadja Darmina Sandangan, is skippered by a certain Amirjakka with six crew and was also carrying five passengers when it was intercepted, Guzman said.

He said the vessel and the apprehended illegally cut forest products were turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) official in Tawi-Tawi for proper disposition.

He said the apprehension of M/L Sulna is part of their continuing effort to help curb illegal cutting of trees not only in Tawi-Tawi but also in the entire Western Mindanao region.

Last month, an estimated of 28,000 board feet of illegally cut forest products from Tawi-Tawi were apprehended at Sulu Sea.

“The Naval Forces Western Mindanao will continue and intensify their naval operations in their areas of responsibility to prevent lawlessness at sea, including the transport of illegal logs in all parts of Western Mindanao particularly in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces where rampant incidents of this activity were recorded and monitored,” Guzman added.

Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi get possess military office

By The Tawi-Tawi Journal


MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government non-stop a new police regional bureau catering to a conflict-ridden island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi, or Basulta for short.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo pronounced a opening of a Basulta police office in Sulu as a sub-post of a Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Police Regional Office (PRO) would raise assent and order in these 3 provinces, that are deemed too distant from Maguindanao where a informal military headquarter is.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan pronounced a pierce will also dive a processing of papers in a removed provinces of ARMM, adding, “It is really hard for us to go to Maguindanao as it needs a lot of money, time, and effort to routine some paper works.”

“This new prolongation of a informal military bureau here will also help a lot in nutritious a assent and sequence conditions here in Sulu,” he added.

An estimated 500 policemen will be deployed to male a Basulta police office and will be headed by Chief Superintendent Raul Boac and Senior Superintendent Eric Vahn Dela Rama.

Chinese fish trader snatched

By Al Jacinto


ZAMBOANGA CITY: A Chinese fish merchant was kidnapped in the remote town of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi, officials said on Thursday. Officials initially identified the foreigner only as Pang, who was seized by four gunmen on Wednesday near the village of Larap. The gunmen escaped with the hostage aboard a speedboat, said Army Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.

He said the boat has markings “AKP” and “AKRHO.” One of the gunmen was identified as Mirham, but it was not immediately known whether he is a member of the Abu Sayyaf which has been tagged as behind the spate of kidnappings of foreigners in the southern Philippines.

“The Philippine National Police in (the capital town of) Bonggao coordinated with the Naval Intelligence Security Group-Western Mindanao and (Naval Patrol) Task Force 62 personnel. The TF62 is currently taking appropriate action,” Cabangbang told reporters.

US-funded overpass plan to couple Tawi-Tawi islands

By Julmunir I. Jannaral

ISABELA CITY, Basilan — A United States-funded highway and overpass plan will shortly bond a dual vital islands of Tawi-Tawi and is approaching to coax growth and significantly boost a province’s economy.


The bridge-road plan is being finished here by inhabitant and informal agencies, with assistance from a U.S. government, and will directly couple Sanga-Sanga Island, where a internal airfield is located, with a mainland of Tawi-Tawi.

The plan is a partnership involving a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), a Tawi-Tawi Provincial Government, and a Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali pronounced a bridge-road tie will capacitate internal growers to ride their crops and other products some-more well and during reduce cost to a collateral city of Bongao, that is located on Sanga-Sanga Island and is a core of blurb activity in a province.

“This will severely urge a provision of farmers, quite in a municipalities on Tawi-Tawi Island, such as Panglima Sugala, Sapa-Sapa and Languyan,” Governor Sahali said.

“Upland growers will have an easier time removing their harvests to markets,” he added.

“This has been a longtime dream here, to have a land tie between a dual largest islands,” pronounced Nazrullah Masahud, clamp boss of a Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Masahud pronounced he approaching growers to start expanding prolongation and diversifying their crops, following a infrastructure improvements.

“Previously, farmers had told me that they hesitated to rivet in new ventures since ride was undependable,” Masahud also said.

He combined that a bridge-road connectors would also promote a designation of H2O pipelines and electric energy connectors to offer fast flourishing communities between a city of Bongao and Panglima Sugala municipality.

Through a GEM Program, USAID has helped to urge a island-province’s economy by 51 barangay infrastructure projects, including a construction of 26 vessel landings.

Six incomparable infrastructure projects finished by GEM in Tawi-Tawi embody a prolongation and widening of a Bongao airfield runway, that enabled Airphil Express to settle a Zamboanga-Bongao route, now plying 4 times weekly by a 77-seater Bombardier Q400.

Tawi-Tawi cops seize suspected tellurian trafficker; rescue 4 victims

By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian


Tawi-Tawi military executive Supt. Rodelio Jocson pronounced a 4 victims of tellurian trafficking were discovered around 3 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Basyagan, Bongao, a collateral of Tawi-Tawi province.

Jocson funded a victims’ identities solely in observant they were aged 16s and 17s and all from Sindangan municipality, Zamboanga del Norte.

Jocson pronounced a victims were discovered by policemen led by Insp. Jeseryl Dela Cruz aboard a motorized banca that was about to skip Bongao en track to Sandakan.

Jocson pronounced Dela Cruz and his crew unsuccessful to detain a suspect, who unexpected left on saying a participation of policemen during a time a victims were rescued.

However, he pronounced a suspect, who carried 3 opposite names, was arrested shortly after 7 a.m. Friday aboard a vessel that was scheduled to leave Bongao to Zamboanga City.

The think was arrested nearby a boat’s canteen when one of a victims, who was during that time were eating their breakfast, famous him, he said.

The think was usually identified by a dual newcomer tickets he carried as he was not bringing any other marker papers when arrested by a police, Jocson said.

One of a newcomer tickets seized from a suspect’s possession bears a name of Ian Reyes while Ian Balmendras on a other ticket, Joscon said.

Jocson pronounced they were sensitive by a victims that a think had introduced himself as Rey Garcia when he recently recruited them in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

The think is a proprietor of Liloy municipality, Zamboanga del Norte, Jocson said.

The victims pronounced that a think hired them to work to a Chinese employer in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia though it was not transparent what would be their work “as they were told that they will know what are their jobs on arrival,” Jocson disclosed.

The discovered victims were incited over to a control of a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while a think was incarcerated and charges were being readied for filing in court, Jocson said.

Tawi-Tawi cops nab suspected human trafficker; rescue 4 victims

By (PNA) RMA/Teofilo P. Garcia/utb


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 30 (PNA)) – Police arrested Friday the suspected illegal recruiter of four underage women who were rescued a day earlier in Tawi-Tawi.

Tawi-Tawi police director Supt. Rodelio Jocson said the four victims of human trafficking were rescued around 3 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Basyagan, Bongao, the capital of Tawi-Tawi province.

Jocson withheld the victims' identities except in saying they were aged 16s and 17s and all from Sindangan municipality, Zamboanga del Norte.

Jocson said the victims were rescued by policemen led by Insp. Jeseryl Dela Cruz aboard a motorized banca that was about to depart Bongao en route to Sandakan.

Jocson said Dela Cruz and his personnel failed to arrest the suspect, who suddenly disappeared upon seeing the presence of policemen at the time the victims were rescued.

However, he said the suspect, who carried three different names, was arrested shortly after 7 a.m. Friday aboard a vessel that was scheduled to leave Bongao to Zamboanga City.

The suspect was arrested near the boat's canteen when one of the victims, who was at that time were eating their breakfast, recognized him, he said.

The suspect was only identified through the two passenger tickets he carried as he was not bringing any other identification papers when arrested by the police, Jocson said.

One of the passenger tickets seized from the suspect's possession bears the name of Ian Reyes while Ian Balmendras on the other ticket, Joscon said.

Jocson said they were informed by the victims that the suspect had introduced himself as Rey Garcia when he recently recruited them in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.

The suspect is a resident of Liloy municipality, Zamboanga del Norte, Jocson said.

The victims said that the suspect hired them to work to a Chinese employer in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia but it was not clear what would be their work “as they were told that they will know what are their jobs upon arrival,” Jocson disclosed.

The rescued victims were turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while the suspect was detained and charges were being readied for filing in court, Jocson said.

Tawi-Tawi hosts local film festival

By PhilStar.com


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Sineng Pambansa opened Wednesday a three-day film festival in Tawi-Tawi as part of its commitment to bring local films to Filipinos.

The Sineng Pambansa is a program of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

“The decision to hold a Filipino film festival in Tawi-Tawi underscores the commitment of the FDCP to bring Filipino films to Filipinos, wherever they may be in the scattered islands of the archipelago, or in their overseas communities,” FDCP said in a statement.

The event is also the first ever cultural activity of its kind to be staged in the province, which in the past was considered a remote outpost.

It said the Memorandum of Agreement for the festival was signed on July 19 by Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali and FDCP Chairman Briccio Santos and Executive Director Jose Miguel de la Rosa at the FDCP office in Makati City.

The film festival in Bongao town, which ends on Friday, is the third location site of Sineng Pambansa in Mindanao. The first was in Zamboanga City on February and the third location would e in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province on June 28 next year.

The list of films included in the festival were Limbunan (Teng Mangansakan, 2011), Hospital Boat (Arnel Mardoquio, 2009), Last Journey of Ninoy (Jun Reyes, 2010), Alab ng Lahi (Robin Padilla, 2003), Bagong Buwan (Marilou Diaz-Abaya, 2001), Ang Panday (Fernando Poe Jr., 1980) and Tum (My Pledge of Love, 2010).

The Sine ng Masa (mobile People’s Cinema) will feature Badjao (Lamberto Avellana, 1957), Emir (Chito Roño, 2010), Perlas ng Silangan (Fernando Poe Jr., 1969), Home Along da Riles I and II (Efren Jarlego, 1993 and 1997).

The three winning films of the Lanao del Sur film festival’s short film competition on the theme of Peace - Margas (Najib Alyhar Benito Zacaria, 2011), Renek (Doss Lucman Pacasum, 2011), and Pagari (Sittie Ayeesha Dicali, 2011). (Mindanao Examiner )

Greece envoy lauds peace situation in Tawi-Tawi

By Becky De Asis


TAWI-TAWI, Philippines – Ambassador Xenia Stefanidou, Greece envoy to the Philippines, commended the peace and order situation of this province as compare to its neighboring areas, saying she can “walk around it without the hesitation of being kidnapped.”

The Greece envoy issued the statement after her weeklong visit here as she graced the 38th Kamahardikaan Day, or founding anniversary, of the province this week.


Greece envoy lauds peace situation in Tawi-Tawi By Becky de Asis Home Updated September 28, 2011 10:00 AM 0 comment to this post TAWI-TAWI, Philippines – Ambassador Xenia Stefanidou, Greece envoy to the Philippines, commended the peace and order situation of this province as compare to its neighboring areas, saying she can “walk around it without the hesitation of being kidnapped.”

The Greece envoy issued the statement after her weeklong visit here as she graced the 38th Kamahardikaan Day, or founding anniversary, of the province this week.


Stefanidou also disclosed her positive impressions on the province’s richness of natural resources, saying “the good ambiance and the sparkling seawaters of the province added flavor to the hospitalities of the islanders.”

“My whole family in Greece is all islanders and I love islands like Tawi – Tawi because this province is just like my home,” she said after an inter-island tour in various municipalities here.

She also lauded the development of the islands here especially on its peace and order situation, saying “I can walk around Tawi Tawi without hesitations of being kidnap because I smell a good peace and order here unlike the other provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

Meantime, the celebration of the annual seaweed festivities here has started last week with Governor Sadikul Sahali headed the showcasing of the province’s cultural heritage and natural resources.

The four-day celebration kicked-off with a colorful fluvial parade from different island-municipalities, displaying the colorful attires that boosted the uniqueness of the province’s multi-culture society.

“I am very thankful to the people here on their dedications and support to the provincial government in uplifting their living conditions by respecting the cultures and rights of every resident here,” said Sahali.

The various activities lining-up for the yearly event are different sports competitions, search from Miss Budjang or Tawi-Tawi 2011, fluvial parade, and Agar–Agar festivals, among others.

The famous seaweed festivals also coincided on the province’s 38th Kamahardikaan or founding anniversary celebrations, which honored the leading source of livelihood here - the Agar–Agar.

Sahali noted that the event also renewed the people’s reflection to their culture.

The province is one of the top producers of seaweeds in the country, citing that the area produced thousands of tons of Agar-agar every week to cater to the demand in the Philippines and other countries.

‘Agar-Agar’ draws thousands of visitors

By BLOGTOPIA


BONGAO, Philippines – The “Agar-Agar Festival” and a “Kamahardikaan Tawi-Tawi,” a annual festival imprinting a 38th initial anniversary of a range rigourously non-stop here over a weekend with a colorful march showcasing a several informative and racial groups of people entrance from a 11 municipalities in a province.

With a really colorful pageantry, signaling a wish for a improved tomorrow, this year’s celebration, that captivated thousands of visitors and commission members, carries a thesis “Sustaining Peace and Responsive Local Governance: Paving a Way to a Progressive Tawi-Tawi.”

Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul A. Sahali pronounced a jubilee will be featuring a ecotourism potentials, abounding resources, and informative birthright of this colourful range in a southern-most partial of a country.

The prominence in this year’s initial anniversary is a Agar-Agar Festival that non-stop yesterday morning, followed by a informative display during a Datu Amilbahar Cultural Center Gym here.

This will be followed currently by a Fluvial Parade and a Search for a Budjang Tawi-Tawi 2011 or a celebration’s beauty pageant, and a Grand Anniversary Parade will be hold on Tuesday.

The administrator pronounced that as a assimilated and brotherly people of Tawi-Tawi, they also wanted to uncover to a universe a province’s potentials and a people’s genuine end and zeal to be during standard with other provinces and cities in a nation in terms of tellurian growth and advancement.

Sahali pronounced Greece Ambassador to a Philippines Stefanidou Polyxeni is also here to declare a anniversary, and to revisit a turtle sanctuaries and other sea stable areas during a Turtle organisation of islands.

As partial of a celebration, stalls offered outlandish fruits and savoury seafood have assigned a vast space in a bustling blurb areas of this town, where vital streets have been embellished with inland decorations regulating colorful panoply done of racial materials.

Meanwhile, Sahali started to accept delegations from a 11 island municipalities given Thursday, where he awarded a P100,000 inducement to Sibutu city for nearing initial in this collateral municipality and has a many series of commission members.

Also, Simunul city was adjudged as a many colorful delegation, while Sitangkai was named as a many behaved and trained delegation.

Simunul and Sitangkai was awarded P50,000 any by a administrator while a remaining 8 other towns were given P10,000 each.

Kamahardikaan Tawi-Tawi is an annual eventuality that brings together Tawi-Tawians to this city to applaud and commemorate a origination of a province, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302 antiquated Sep 11, 1973.

The jubilee is approaching to pull thousands of internal and unfamiliar tourists to declare a colorful Muslim presentations and attires during a grand parade, that will be assimilated by a member of a 11 municipalities.

Hja. Juana Sahali, a province’s initial lady and chairperson of both a Provincial Tourism Council and a Search for Budjang Tawi-Tawi 2011, pronounced a manifestation participants wish to infer that a ladies of Tawi-Tawi also posses beauty and talent, like their counterparts in other vital cities in a country, including a civic areas.

“We have so many pleasing and gifted immature ladies in a province, and this is what we are exploring now,” Hja. Sahali said.

The contestants together with Mrs. Sahali paid a pleasantness call on a administrator Friday morning during a Provincial Capitol building.

They will strive for a pretension of Budjang Tawi-Tawi 2011 currently during a Department of Education Gymnasium here.

Seaweed festivities in Tawi-tawi start

By Becky De Asis


TAWI-TAWI, Philippines – The celebration of the annual seaweed festivities here has started today in Bongao town with Governor Sadikul Sahali headed the showcasing of the province’s cultural heritage and natural resources.

The eight-day celebration kicked-off with a colorful fluvial parade from different island-municipalities, displaying the colorful attires that boosted the uniqueness of the province’s multi-culture society.

“I am very thankful to the people here on their dedications and support to the provincial government in uplifting their living conditions by respecting the cultures and rights of every resident here,” said Sahali.

The various activities lining-up for the yearly event are different sports competitions, search from Miss Budjang or Tawi-Tawi 2011, fluvial parade, and Agar–Agar festivals, among others.

The famous seaweed festivals also coincided on the province’s 38th Kamahardikaan or founding anniversary celebrations, which honored the leading source of livelihood here - the Agar–Agar.

Sahali noted that the event also renewed the people’s reflection to their culture.

“I am also thankful to Ligaya Amilbangsa, the mentor of this very prestigious festival, who studied and teach the Agar–Agar dance to the young generation,” he said, while lauding the support of the 11 mayors here.

Professor Felimon Romero, festival chairman, said the province is one of the top producers of seaweeds in the country, citing that the area produced thousands of tons of Agar-agar every week to cater to the demand in the Philippines and other countries.

Seaweed seminar

By BLOGTOPIA


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi (PNA) – The Philippine and United States (US) Navies conducted a two-day Seaweed Industry Innovation Seminar in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi, a tip Navy central said. Naval Forces Western Mindanao’s Task Force 62 commander Captain Renato Yongque pronounced a convention was conducted recently during a Naval Station Juan Magluyan.

It was schooled that seaweed tillage is one of a categorical sources of provision among a people of Panglima Sugala. Yongque pronounced they instituted a convention intentionally to assistance a internal proletariat to make a living, raise their believe in this kind of aquaculture project, and minister in boosting Tawi-Tawi’s economy.

Navy conducts Seaweeds Industry Innovation Seminar in Tawi-Tawi

By LTJG Ian Sagge, Public Affairs Officer, Naval Forces Western


Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi – In coordination with a internal supervision officials of Panglima, Sugala, a Naval Forces Western Mindanao thru a Naval Task Force 62 ordered by Capt Renato B Yongque conducted Seaweed Industry Innovation Seminar aboard Naval Station Juan Magluyan final Sep 14-15, 2011


Panglima Sugala is a fourth category municipality in that seaweed tillage is one of a categorical sources of provision among a people. Given this aspect, a navy instituted a control of a convention intentionally to assistance a internal proletariat to make a living, raise their believe in this kind of aquaculture plan and eventually contributes to boosting of Tawi-Tawi’s economy.

Part of this initiative, a Navy together with a US Navy member from LCE TYPHOON collected and distributed dull bottles to a participants of a convention for their use in tangible tillage of seaweed.

A sum of 143 internal residents from 13 barangays of Panglima Sugala benefitted in this Navy’s program.

Radm Armando L Guzman, a Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao has presided a shutting ceremony. He speedy all a participants to put into actions what they have gained from a convention and to share a believe they have schooled with their kin and friends in sequence for seaweed tillage in Tawi-Tawi will continue to flourish.

Governor Sahali, who is also benefaction in a shutting ceremony, extended his intense appreciation to a Philippine Navy for initiating a control of a convention in his area of concern.

Tawi-Tawi gears for 'Seaweeds Festival

By Nonoy Lacson


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines – The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi expressed its readiness to host the 10th Seaweeds Festival this year, as it assured visiting local and foreign tourists that the celebration would be better and more exciting than the previous years.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali Monday said the provincial government has undertaken an extensive preparation for this year’s festival.

The Seaweeds Festival has been integrated the 38th founding anniversary of the province that is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, September 24.

Dubbed “Kamahardikaan Tawi-Tawi,” this year’s four-day celebration carries the theme “Sustaining Peace and Responsive Local Governance: Paving the Way to a Progressive Tawi-Tawi.”

According to Sahali, he expects a bigger number of domestic and foreign tourists to witness the festival, as seaweed farmers from the municipalities of Sitangkai, and the nearby Sibutu committed to participate and grace the twin celebration.

Sahali said Sitangkai accounts for about 70 percent of the country’s seaweed output, producing at least 4,000 metric tons of dried seaweed monthly.

Seaweed farming in the island-town covers about 15,000 hectares, with 60,000 more hectares are being readied for high-quality seaweeds, Sahali said.

In an effort to boost the seaweed industry in the province, Sahali said the provincial government has already drafted a scientific scheme in planting seaweeds, which they intend to implement next year – aimed at increasing the production and income of farmers in their respective localities.

The new method, Sahali said, will provide farmers a projected average income of between P40,000 to P60,000 per hectare per year.

With good farming methods and infusion of new technology to produce good quality seaweed, local farmers will now have a better chance of selling their produce at a higher price, the governor said.

Sahali said the global prices of seaweed continue to remain high, but seaweed farmers here are still trapped in poverty despite the strong demand for their product in the global market.

Roughly about 80 percent of the population or about 20,000 individuals in Sitangkai rely on seaweed farming for their living, and while the resources are there, this has not translated into an uptrend economic development for the marginal sectors,” according to the governor.

But with an aim to develop the industry and improve the life of the seaweed farmers, Sahali had adopted a new system in the planting of seaweeds in Tawi-Tawi to overcome the farmers’ fear that the local production may be overtaken by other major seaweed exporting countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

Tawi-Tawi produced an estimated 500,000 metric tons of dried seaweed, supplying close to 60 percent of the world market, making the Philippines one of the world’s top seaweed producer, and world’s top carageenan producer.

Tawi-Tawi to celebrate 'Kamahardikaan' Festival

By Nonoy Lacson


Tawi-Tawi – The capital town of Bongao is now in a festive mood after the provincial government of Tawi-Tawi declared on Tuesday that “all systems are go” for the holding of the “Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi” festival as part of the celebration of its 38th founding anniversary.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali said the celebration, which will start from September 24 and ends on September 27, will feature a colorful parade showcasing various ethnic groups and tribes in the province.

Various kinds of exotic fruits and colorful hand-woven materials are expected to flood Bongao's busy commercial district.

With the theme “Sustaining Peace and Responsive Local Governance: Paving the Way to a Progressive Tawi-Tawi,” Sahali said the annual event would bring together the people of the province to commemorate its creation, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302, dated September 11, 1973.

Sahali said this year’s celebration will be simple yet meaningful, and full of entertainment for the local and foreign visitors.

The provincial government also lined up several interesting activities for this year, like the most awaited beauty pageant, sports competition, Qur’an reading competition, and cultural shows that will feature the colorful ethnic cultures of the Sama, Badjao, Jama Mapun, and the Tausug tribes.

Sahali said that most of the activities are centered on the eco-tourism program of the provincial government, including environmental protection, and health agenda, aimed at attracting local and national investors to venture in the province.

Another highlight of the celebration is the “Agar-Agar Festival” that gives emphasis on the number one product of the province – seaweeds.

The province is located in the southernmost of the country, sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah, and the Indonesian Kalimantan province.

To the northeast lies the province of Sulu, and to the west is Sabah.

ARMM’s public forum on RLA enunciates nominees’ plans, programs

  • Source: hhttp://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r09&id=54053
  • Wednesday, September 14, 2011
  • by Gideon C. Corgue


BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, September 14 (PIA) -– The public forum on the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (ARMM) Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) thru the National Screening Committee has offered opportunity for the candidates to present their respective plans, programs and positions to the stakeholders, the ultimate beneficiary of their agenda, as well as to help generate meaningful discussion and possible solutions to different issues and concerns of ARMM, among others. Provincial Director Julgabir I. Sappayan in his message said the forum has provided stakeholders the opportunity to assess strengths and capabilities of RLA candidates. Citizens Coalition in ARMM for Electoral Reform (CICARE) provincial coordinator Cynthia Hassan said “we were grateful that a public forum like this was conducted for the public to know the best candidates to represent Tawi-Tawi in RLA.” The CICARE is a local organization formed and created in 2005 primarily to monitor the conduct of electoral process to include election monitoring, voter’s education and meeting with stakeholders in Tawi-Tawi. Youth panelist, Kamila Masahud, a senior student of Mindanao State University- Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography said she praised the nominees for giving their respective agenda and at the same time, giving good answers raised by the panelists and the audience. “We hope that whoever will be appointed to the RLA will fulfill their promise and represent the voice and true sentiments of the people of Tawi-Tawi,” Masahud added. After the eight (8) nominees were given the time to introduce themselves and their platforms as well, they were asked by the panelists to demonstrate their competence and worth as candidates to the RLA. The panelists were composed of the following: chairman, Prof. Felimon Romero (academe), Bongao Mayor Jasper Que (LGU), Engr. Rolando Lim (business), Babelyn Keno Omar (media), and Kamila Masahud (youth). (ALT/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)

Nominees for ARRM’s regional legislative assembly sign covenant for good governance

by Gideon C. Corgue

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi, Sept. 13 (PIA) -– To show support to President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III’s good governance program, nominees for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) on Monday signed a covenant during the public forum conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), provincial office at Beachside Inn here. The eight (8) nominees who willfully signed the covenant were Rodolfo A. Bawasanta, Ismael B. Abubakar Jr., Dayang Carlsum S. Jumaide, Nurjay M. Sujali, Hamid K. Ladjakahal, Abdelnooh Hadjirul, Syed R. Bederi, and Eddie M. Alih. ARMM Provincial Director Julgabir I. Sappayan said the covenant is a roadmap of national government that will ensure the introduction and sustenance of needed reforms in the ARMM. This roadmap, Sappayan said being pursued relentlessly and vigorously, a package of strategic key action that includes cleaning up of electoral process, strengthening bureaucratic reforms , accelerating service, delivery and implementation of development projects, ensuring good governance benchmark in ARMM , and fully engaging civil society and people’s organizations in government, and maximizing the potential of the government. “This roadmap for good governance shall be carried out in a manner in which the voice, sentiments and concerns of the people of ARMM , the stakeholders, local officials and even our foreign and local development partners are upheld and respected which are complete expression our strict adherence to the principles of democracy and making it in the region and for the people of ARMM,” Sappayan opined. The covenant signing concluded the 4-hours public forum with the stakeholders from local officials, people’s organization, civil society, academe, etc Among those who attended the public forum were Philippine Information Agency (PIA-9) regional director Noemi B. Edaga, Zamboanga City DILG director Taha Arakama, and Bongao Mayor Jasper Que. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian)

Suspected drug pushers nabbed

by Gold Star Daily

COTABATO City-- Three persons were arrested when elements of Bongao Municipal Police Station (MPS) conducted recently an illegal drug operation at Maharlika Institute of Technology, Barangay Lamion1,Bongao Tawi-Tawi. The suspects identified as Muhajir Muddasil, Najir Jamali and Almida Wadud, owner of a shanty, while they were in the act of sniffing white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride also known as "Shabu".

Confiscated in the possession of the suspects were twenty one (21) pieces of transparent plastic straws, and other shabu paraphernalia.

The illegal drugs that were confiscated from the suspects were brought to Tawi-Tawi Crime Laboratory while the arrested suspects are under the custody of Bongao MPS for filing appropriate charges in court.

US-funded bridge project to link Tawi-Tawi islands

by Julmunir I. Jannaral


ISABELA CITY, Basilan — A United States-funded road and bridge project will soon connect the two major islands of Tawi-Tawi and is expected to spur development and significantly boost the province’s economy. The bridge-road project is being completed here by national and regional agencies, with assistance from the U.S. government, and will directly link Sanga-Sanga Island, where the local airport is located, with the mainland of Tawi-Tawi. The project is a partnership involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Government, and the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali said the bridge-road connection will enable local growers to transport their crops and other products more efficiently and at lower cost to the capital town of Bongao, which is located on Sanga-Sanga Island and is the center of commercial activity in the province. “This will greatly improve the livelihood of farmers, particularly in the municipalities on Tawi-Tawi Island, such as Panglima Sugala, Sapa-Sapa and Languyan,” Governor Sahali said. “Upland growers will have an easier time getting their harvests to markets,” he added. “This has been a longtime dream here, to have a land connection between the two largest islands,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Masahud said he expected growers to begin expanding production and diversifying their crops, following the infrastructure improvements. “Previously, farmers had told me that they hesitated to engage in new ventures because transport was undependable,” Masahud also said. He added that the bridge-road connections would also facilitate the installation of water pipelines and electric power connections to serve rapidly growing communities between the town of Bongao and Panglima Sugala municipality. Through the GEM Program, USAID has helped to improve the island-province’s economy through 51 barangay infrastructure projects, including the construction of 26 boat landings. Six larger infrastructure projects completed by GEM in Tawi-Tawi include the extension and widening of the Bongao airport runway, which enabled Airphil Express to establish a Zamboanga-Bongao route, now plying four times weekly by a 77-seater Bombardier Q400.

Tawi-Tawi to symbol 38th anniversary

NEWS


BONGAO, Philippines – The provincial supervision of Tawi-Tawi has urged a 11 city mayors to showcase their municipality’s particular ecotourism potentials and destinations, products and furnish during a jubilee of a province’s 38th initial anniversary from Sep 24 to 27.

Dubbed “38th Kamahardikaan impiety Tawi-Tawi,” Governor Sadikul Sahali pronounced a provincial supervision will core a jubilee on a graduation of a province’s eco-tourism potentials and destinations, products and produce.

Sahali pronounced this year’s jubilee can be deliberate one of a best, and an suitable time for a city officials to showcase their particular eco-tourism potentials, and products.

Sahali cited this collateral city as a microcosm of eremite and informative diversity. He pronounced this town’s Bongao Peak offers a monumental perspective of circuitously Sabah in Malaysia, while a Bolobok Cave is one of a oldest caves – given 800 A.D. – that is located in Barangay Lakit-Lakit, and deliberate to be a strange allotment of a early inhabitants.

The city of Simunul, he said, is a site of a oldest Mosque in a Philippines, and home of a worshiped Sheikh Makdum – a colonize for a widespread of a Islamic sacrament in a country.

It was during Tubig-Indangan in Simunul where a initial Muslim companion Sheik Karimul Makdum set feet to build a initial mosque in a nation in 1380 A.D.

Sahali pronounced that a city of Sapa-Sapa is also a good traveller end given it is famous as a home of descendants of a Malay kingship of a Federal State of Borneo.

Adding that a island-town of Sitangkai is famous as a “Venice of a South.”

Sahali positive a visitors that Tawi-Tawi is a pacific and protected province, citing troops and troops statistics and reports.

First-class fish and crustaceans, like lobsters and coconut crabs, are abounding in a range of Tawi-Tawi due to a satisfactory pleasant climate, a administrator said.

Sahali confirmed that staying in Tawi-Tawi is not a problem given this collateral city hosts several hotels, inns, beach cottages, and restaurants to support a needs of internal and unfamiliar tourists.

US-funded bridge project to link Tawi-Tawi islands

by Julmunir I. Jannaral


ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Sept 6 (PIA) -– A United States-funded road and bridge project will soon connect the two major islands of Tawi-Tawi and is expected to spur development and significantly boost the province’s economy. The bridge-road project is being completed here by national and regional agencies, with assistance from the U.S. government, and will directly link Sanga-Sanga Island, where the local airport is located, with the mainland of Tawi-Tawi. The project is a partnership involving the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Government, and the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali said the bridge-road connection will enable local growers to transport their crops and other products more efficiently and at lower cost to the capital town of Bongao, which is located on Sanga-Sanga Island and is the center of commercial activity in the province. “This will greatly improve the livelihood of farmers, particularly in the municipalities on Tawi-Tawi Island, such as Panglima Sugala, Sapa-Sapa and Languyan,” Governor Sahali said. “Upland growers will have an easier time getting their harvests to markets,” he added. “This has been a longtime dream here, to have a land connection between the two largest islands,” said Nazrullah Masahud, vice president of the Tawi-Tawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Masahud said he expected growers to begin expanding production and diversifying their crops, following the infrastructure improvements. “Previously, farmers had told me that they hesitated to engage in new ventures because transport was undependable,” Masahud also said. He added that the bridge-road connections would also facilitate the installation of water pipelines and electric power connections to serve rapidly growing communities between the town of Bongao and Panglima Sugala municipality. Through the GEM Program, USAID has helped to improve the island-province’s economy through 51 barangay infrastructure projects, including the construction of 26 boat landings. Six larger infrastructure projects completed by GEM in Tawi-Tawi include the extension and widening of the Bongao airport runway, which enabled Airphil Express to establish a Zamboanga-Bongao route, now plying four times weekly by a 77-seater Bombardier Q400. (BPI-ARMM/ALT/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

Navy rescues vessel in distress off Tawi-Tawi

Mindanews

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – Task Force 62 of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) has rescued a wooden-hull vessel in distress in the province of Tawi-Tawi, belated reports from the Philippine Navy said. Commodore Armando Guzman, NFWM commander, said the vessel loaded with 67 people, including the seven crew, was rescued Thursday 4.8 nautical miles off Pagasinan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. Of the 60 passengers, 12 were children, he added.

Guzman said M/L Virginia departed Sipangkot Island and bound for Lamion Pier in Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi, “when it incurred derangement on her main propulsion.”

The NFWM’s Naval Task Force 62, which is based in Panglima Sugala town, upon receiving a distress call from the M/L Virginia, directed the Patrol Ship-19 (PS-19) to conduct search and rescue operation for the distressed vessel amidst rough seas and strong winds prevailing in the area, Guzman said.

Battered by big waves, he said the vessel was listing on its port side while its crew members were “bailing out” water using pails in attempt to trim the vessel when the task force personnel aboard PS-19 arrived.

He added that the hapless passengers, some throwing up over the sides because of the violent rolling and pitching, were anxiously waiting for help.

Interviewed by the PS-19 personnel, M/L Virginia’s crew confirmed that their main engine incurred technical problem and “that they were already more than four hours dead-on-water,” he said.

Guzman said the PS-19 personnel led by Commander Ernesto Baldovino immediately rendered necessary assistance to the vessel. The PS-19 towed M/L Virginia, which arrived safely at Lamion Pier in Bongao.

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