Sulu offers free college education in agriculture and fisheries

SULU, Philippines – Sulu Governor Sakur Tan said he is planning to make college education free for local students who want to pursue careers in Agriculture and Fishery, the state-owned Philippine Information Agency reported.

"Agriculture and fishery is the lifeblood of the province, the Sulu Sea is one of the richest if not the richest fishing grounds in the entire world and the enormous potential of this resource has benefited other provinces and it is now time that we produce local experts in this field, so that the people of Sulu can utilize the richness of its resource in an efficient and sustainable manner," Tan said during a recent ground breaking ceremony for a housing program of the Provincial Government in partnership with Gawad Kalinga and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the town of Maimbung.

Tan said the construction of an extension school building in Maimbung that will specialize for this purpose is now underway. He said the positive developments in agriculture and fishery through the cooperative program undoubtedly needs to sustain to ensure productivity in these sectors. The need for local professionals in these fields is vital in the enhancement of agriculture and fishery in Sulu.

"Focusing on the strengths and potentials of Sulu is a more prudent and pragmatic way of attaining economic independence in the province, more so if our local constituents have the capability to ensure the effective and sustainable handling of these potentials which happens to be in the field of agri-fishery, this is true people empowerment," Tan said.