Pakaradjaan Basilan bats for peace, economic dev’t

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1005827
• Monday, March 19, 2018

By Rene V. Carbayas (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan with reports from Nilda Delos Reyes)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) -- The two-week-long Pakaradjaan (festivity) Basilan, in observance of its 44th Founding Anniversary was seen as the most successful and peaceful celebration in the experience of the entire province.

This was observed by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman during his anniversary message on March 7. He was impressed at how the province organized and conducted various activities and kept everything peacefully implemented.

The celebration started on Feb 26 with launching of the Agro-Industrial Trade Fair at Basilan National High School Grandstand that showcased different booths from cities, municipalities, some government agencies and other organizations in the province.

The 44th Founding Anniversary of Pakaradjaan Basilan adapted the theme “Sowing Seeds of Peace: Celebrating Life, Culture and Prosperity,” which mirrors the current provincial government’s collective efforts of laying the foundation of Basilan’s sustainable future.

Pakaradjaan is a Yakan term which literally means celebration. It is one way of telling people that the situation in Basilan is getting better especially when we talk about peace.

At the opening program, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman recognized the support of the Ulama Supreme Council in the status of peace and security in the province.

“Para sa kaalaman po ng lahat maliban sa military at PNP, isa po sa malaking tulong ang Ulama Council headed by Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, isa po sya sa tumulong sa atin kung ano yung level na meron tayo ngayon sa peace and security,” he said.

The Governor also mentioned that the primary problem in Basilan that he encountered in his administration is the issue of peace and security and the infestation of cocolisap. However, he hopes that the province can recover due to various interventions made to ensure food security especially in aquatic resources.

To promote Basilan and its positive image, he called for unity to spur development in the province by fighting terrorism and promote a peaceful heart. He asked the Ulamas to convert the hearts of the Basileños.

“Ang hinihingi ko sana, bawat mamamayan mag-participate dahil hindi po natin mararating kung ano yung pinaka essence ng theme natin, kung ano yung essence ng Pakaradjaan hanggat hindi natin nare-realize yung sinasabi ko na ideally may mga investment na dito sa atin at ang development walang boundary kundi continuing po yan,” he said.

Moreover, the Governor stressed that Pakaradjaan in Basilan is one way in promoting positive image of Basilan and that the peace and progress in the province will only be attained if there is cooperation between the government leaders, workers and its constituents.

“Sa inyong lahat, sa mga empleyado ng provincial government, ng local government ng Basilan, sa mga mamayan ng Basilan, i-erase po natin yung takot natin, lakbayin natin kung ano ang gustong tunguhin ng ating probinsya at hindi yung gustong tunguhin ng iba na kailangan every now and then may mamatay sa baril. Hindi po tayo nakakapagligtas. Kaya po natin i-attain na walang mamatay kung hindi hahawakan at papuputukin yung baril,” he said.

“Ang Basilan po ay mayaman at ang Basilan ay may pupuntahan. Kailangan lang po magtulungan tayo, mangingialam yung pamantayan natin, yung puso natin dapat malinis po, yan po yung pinaka perfect weapon kung paano maayos ang ating probinsya,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, DOST ARMM Secretary Myra Mangkabung encouraged Basileños to think BIG - Business is Good.

Since Basilan is known as one of the provinces rich with bountiful resources, both agricultural and marine resources, DOST Secretary wanted that the people must promote the image of their locality through business.

“Aim high and think BIG! no matter what. In economic concept, ito po yung nagpo-propel ng domain sa ating probinsya, sa ating region. Without economic development lahat po tayo eh nag pu-pull back,” she said.

With her almost one-hour keynote message, Secretary Mangkabung emphasized what they can do to help and contribute in the development and redefining Basilan by engaging themselves in business and become entrepreneurs.

“I am advocating, I am actually shaking up all of us here to look into the future, kung ano po ang pwede nating gawin. Hindi po mangyayari ang development kung kay governor at kay regional governor lang, kung wala po ang tao, there could be no development in Basilan,” she concluded.