P100M fish port, power plant inaugurated in MILF community in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Former combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) lauded the establishment of fish port complex and diesel-fed power plant in a residential community in the remote island town of Languyan, Tawi-Tawi, a statement from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said.

The projects, expected to be operational within the year, were serve as  efforts of the government to continuously engage with the MNLF community as part of the 1996 final peace agreement, according to OPAPP Secretary Teresita Deles.

The combined cost of the two projects is about P100-million. The projects were formally inaugurated by the local government unit of Languyan town, Tawi-Tawi, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), together with OPAPP officials under the PAMANA or (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Peaceful and Resilient Communities).

The PAMANA program, an inter-agency effort headed by the OPAPP, began its projects upon the assumptionof President Bengino S. Aquino III in 2010. The program implements  developmental projects in areas that have been adversely affected by previous armed conflicts that resulted in economic depressions.

Kublai Elias, an MNLF junior officer and the leader of Languyan’s fisherfolks, was elated over the new fish port terminal, saying it will bring more economic opportunities to the people in their town, which only gained noticed sometime in 1992 when it was identified as among the areas in Asia that would witness a total solar eclipse.

Elias said his vision on  improving  the economic plight of their communities has been reinforced by the government intervention as a result of the peace agreement.

“These economic interventions in our town show the sincerity of both parties (government and the MNLF) for us to benefit from the fruits of the peace agreement. It indicates a genuine engagement that the two sides can work together for the interests of those people who have suffered during the armed conflicts,” he said.

Languyan Mayor Yshmael  Sali said the fish port will turn the town as one of the top producers of marine products in the country.

The local chief executive was also optimistic that in energizing the town it will also attract investors to put up fish canneries and other processed marine production plant.

Sali said there were intentions before by investors to put up plants. However, due to the lack of power supply and insufficient infrastructure all the plans were left out.

“Thanks to PAMANA as we can revive those investment intentions,” Sali said.

ARMM-BFAR Secretary Janice Musali said the fish port in Languyan is the biggest infrastructure project they appropriated under the PAMANA program for the entire ARMM region for this year.

Musali said Languyan has huge potential as many commercial fishing vessels are operating in the high seas off Languyan.

“The island province of Tawi-Tawi is rich with marine resources in addition to the pristine and unspoiled beaches and diving sites that it naturally possesses,” she said.

Elais said socio-economic investments are needed to shore up progress and development, especially in areas that have lagged behind due to security-related issues.

“The bottom line here is to transform these depressed areas into better communities where economic growth and peace reign.  And that’s the ultimate goal for the Bangsamoro people,” Elais said. - Roel Pareño