US Hands Over New Projects In Southern Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 01, 2007) – The United States on Monday handed over two infrastructure projects worth more than P150-million to Filipino officials in the southern island of Basilan.

American Ambassador Kristie Kenney led officials in the ceremony held in the towns of Maluso and Lantawan.

The projects, a port area in Maluso and a bridge in Lantawan towns, were constructed under the US Agency for International Development-Growth with Equity in Mindanao.

Security was tight throughout Kenney’s visit in Basilan, where Filipino security forces are still hunting down Abu Sayyaf militants, blamed for a recent attack that killed two soldiers and wounded over a dozen others in Basilan’s Tipo-Tipo town.

Kenney last week also handed over $3.7 million of development projects in Sulu province on top of the $190 million grant aid to Mindanao.

The $3.7 million will be used for the repair of the Jolo airport and the construction of a potable water system in Sulu.

Aside from the funding, Kenney also handed over to local officials the P27-million Jolo market road and several projects in the province, including computers for the Sulu National High School and aquaculture materials for former Moro rebels now engaged in lobster fattening. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sulu Launches "Fruit Of Hope" Program

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and Sen. Richard Gordon launch the "Fruit of Hope" Program in cooperation with supermarket owners and non-governmental organizations to help farmers sell their produce. (Mindanao Examiner Photo service)

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 11) – Six tons of fresh fruits from Sulu were ferried by a military C-130 cargo plane for supermarkets in Manila, the first in more than a decade, as part of an ambitious government program aimed at putting the province on the map of an emerging fruit trade and tourism destination in southern Philippines.

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan launched Monday the so-called "Fruits of Hope" program to help local farmers sell their produce, especially exotic fruits, such as durian and mangosteen berries.

Senator Richard Gordon, former Tourism Secretary, is helping Tan market local agricultural products, including coffee beans – Robusta and Arabica – which are abundant on Jolo island, about 950 kilometers south of Manila.

Gordon, accompanied by Presidential deputy peace adviser Nabil Tan and executives from Shopwise and Shoemart Supermarkets, Nestle and Asia-America Initiative, led the launching of "Invest in Peace and Prosperity – Fruit of Hope Program."

The program, he said, aims to enhance peace and prosperity in Mindanao.

"Six tons of fresh fruits from Sulu were ferried by a military C-130 cargo plane for supermarkets in Manila. And we have more fruits and perhaps the best coffee in the country too, all ready for buyers," the governor said.

"By a substantial shipment of farm products such as fruits from Sulu, will create the framework for peace through economic development. This initiative will eventually link the farmers of Sulu to big businesses and small retailers in Manila," he said.

Tan said the international nongovernmental organization, Asia-America Initiative, headed by Albert Santoli, has supported the program and promised to help even more by tapping other NGOs to help support the peace and development in Sulu.

"This multi-faceted partnership to build economic prosperity will build trust and confidence between the people of Luzon and Mindanao."

"This is a wonderful example of how people of many faiths and cultural backgrounds can recognizance their common humanity and realize that peace is possible and poverty that feeds violence can be overcome," Santoli said.

President Gloria Arroyo in August ordered a "humanitarian and development offensive" in Jolo island.

Gordon, for his part, said the government will put more efforts in Jolo and other areas in Mindanao to help farmers sell their products. "There are plenty of fruits. We should help in the livelihood component of the people. If there is no livelihood, there will be no peace," he said.

The Fruit of Hope program is most dynamic development and is a product of many positive developments in Sulu community. Aside from fruits, Sulu is also abundant in coconut and abaca and is known for its rich marine resources. (Mindanao Examiner)

Troops Kill Sayyaf Man In Jolo Island; Refugees Get Relief Aid

War refugees in Basilan and Jolo islands in southern RP receive relief aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Muslim autonomous region under Bai Racma Imam, who led the distribution of hundreds of food bags. Regional governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Jolo island governor Sakur Tan and Basilan governor Jum Akbar are closely working with government agencies to address the situation of some 20,000 people who fled their homes. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Service/ Mark Navales)

JOLO ISLAND, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 24 Aug) – Philippine soldiers killed a suspected Abu Sayyaf militant after he resisted arrest in the southern island of Jolo, where security forces are fighting the terrorist group tied to al-Qaeda.

Security officials said the militant was involved in kidnappings and killings in Jolo island, one of five province under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Thousands of soldiers were pursuing the Abu Sayyaf on the island, blamed for the killing of more than a dozen Marines in fierce fighting since last month. Over 7,000 civilians have fled their homes because of the hostilities.

Jolo island Governor Sakur Tan has ordered social workers to attend to the refugees and make sure that none of them get sick, especially the children.

“We are concerned about the health of the refugees and the security situation on the island, although the skirmishes are in the hinterlands,” Tan said.

ARMM Social Welfare Secretary Bai Rachma Imam led the distribution of relief aid Thursday and Friday in Jolo and Basilan island where troops are also battling a faction of Abu Sayyaf.

Some 13,000 people also evacuated in Basilan for fear that they would be caught in the cross-fire.

President Gloria Arroyo ordered the military to crush the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for Tuesday’s bombing in Zamboanga City that injured 14 people. (Mark Navales)