Tawi-Tawi contingency plans organized for Zambo Crisis

By Nash Tahang

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi  (September 19, 2013) -  Governor Nurbert Sahali has convened a special meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Wednesday, to address problems relative to the on-going siege in Zamboanga City, whose adverse effects are felt in the province.

Different agencies were called to present their contingency plans in anticipation to possible problems the siege in Zamboanga City may cause Tawi-Tawi.

S/Supt Joselito Salido, Tawi-Tawi police director, Captain Alberto Cruz, CO, Task Force 62, and Lt Col Rommel Recinto, CO, MBLT -5 have assured Gov. Sahali that the PNP and the AFP are ready to curtail any attempt by bad elements to disturb peace and tranquility of the province.

Gov. Sahali has also directed the National Food Authority and rice traders to assure that rice supply and other commodities will be sufficient to the needs of the people when things get worse as a result of the siege.

Earlier, since the crisis started Gov. Sahali and Representative Ruby Sahali have arranged for special flights of the Cebu Pacific to ferry stranded 292 pilgrims from Tawi-Tawi to Cebu of which the provincial government in coordination with the congressional district has financially assisted the pilgrims in their fares to Cebu. 

In the same manner, both offices have also work hand in hand in providing free transportation to Tawi-Tawians caught amidst the armed encounter between the MNLF rebels and the government troops in Zamboanga City.

The first wave of Tawi-Tawi evacuees numbered 602, which arrived Tuesday noon via M/V Kristel Jane.

However, the second wave estimated to ferry over a thousand evacuees has yet to await the travel ban to be lifted by WESMINCOM before it could sail from Zamboanga City to Tawi-Tawi.

The provincial government has sent donation worth of P1million relief goods to the displace victims coursed through the city government of Zamboanga. 

Sahali also made his press statement Monday on the postponement of Tawi-Tawi’s 40^th Kamahardikaan celebration slated September 22-27, stressing that “we cannot rejoice while our neighbors are in a state of anguish”

Tawi-Tawi donates P1-M worth of relief goods to Zambo evacuees

The Prov'l Govt of Tawi-Tawi is donating P1-M worth assorted relief goods to the evacuees of Zamboanga. The goods include some 100 sacks of rice, noodles, canned goods and toiletries and will be turned over to Mayor Beng Climaco. (fdm)

PRESS STATEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT

Gov. NURBERT M. SAHALI on the postponement of the 40^th Kamahardikaan Celebration

With suggestions from the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and in our consensus, I do hereby declare the postponement of the 40^th celebration of Tawi-Tawi Kamahardikaan slated on September 22-27, 2013.

“We are moving the date of our celebration in consideration of the chaos and siege happening in Zamboanga City; because of this situation, the suspension of both air and sea transportation will hinder the appearance of our invited guests and participants; delay the arrival of materials and facilities needed in the celebration that will make us appear having a haphazard commemoration, and the feeling of sympathy towards the sufferings of the people caught amidst the conflict in Zamboanga City.  We cannot rejoice while our neighbors are in the state of anguish.”

“We pray that everything will be in place to normalcy so that we could carry on our 40^th kamahardikaan celebration in a date we shall announce later. “

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Aarons Pension House
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Tawi-Tawi all set to celebrate 40th Kamahardikaan

By Nash Tahang

The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi has convened the various committees-in-charge to prepare the 40th founding anniversary and make the celebration more vibrant and pleasurable not only to the locals but also to the foreign and local tourists.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Nurbert M. Sahali, chairman of the Executive and Steering Committees, has convened both committees on Sunday to finalize the preparation of the grand 40^th Kamahardikaan of the peaceful province.

In     a    consensus,    both committees framed this year’s theme of celebration – “Tawi-Tawi at 40: Sustaining Good Housekeeping In Meeting New Challenges.” 

Sahali said this year's founding celebration will focus not only in showcasing the province as a serene, culturally vivacious, and resource-rich province in this part of the country but also adds new facets to the activities of the celebration.

Among those to be added as new components will be a Job Fair featuring jobs from five national government agencies, ARMM, private companies, and the local jobs; Agri Fair that will showcase local agricultural products of the province; Licensing which will help local transportation operators legalize their vehicles, and drivers as well can apply for driving licenses,   contest in the composition of a provincial hymn in either Sama or Tausug language, and many other entertaining activities.

“As Tawi-Tawians, we have always wanted to show to the world our potentials, our aspirations, and eagerness to be together in development and advancement, a proof of our unity as peace loving people of Tawi-Tawi," Sahali stressed.

The coming celebration is the 40th Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi, the five-day festivities will officially start on September 23, featuring a colorful sports parade, and the celebrations will culminate on September 27.

Tawi-Tawi was previously part of the province of Sulu. On September 27, 1973, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302, the new province of Tawi-Tawi was officially created as a separate province.

The usual highlights of the festivities include the agal-agal festival, the search for Budjang Tawi-Tawi 2013, (beauty pageant), the grand anniversary parade, and the cultural night that showcases the various ethnic cultures found in the province, and the very colorful fluvial parade.

The 40^th Kamahardikaan celebration is the first under the new administration of the young Sahali after succeeding his governor-father, Hadji Sadikul Sahali, who finished his three terms last June 30, this year.

Tawi-Tawi sponsors strategic planning workshop

By Nash Tahang

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi - The Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi has sponsored a three-day strategic planning workshop design beginning Wednesday at Danmar Beach Resort and Restaurant.

The objectives of the workshop include updating the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the different LGUs of Tawi-Tawi; updating priority development thrusts of the province covering 2013 to 2016; and formulating the province’s 2014 Annual Investment Programs (AIP).

Madam Annabel Sahali, executive secretary, who represented the governor in the program, said that the objectives of the workshop were in line with the thrusts and programs of the provincial government saying that the governor himself has directed to conduct the workshop design in order to facilitate the development of the province.  

She said the priority development thrusts of the province and its project proposals including that of the municipalities covering 2013 – 2016 should already be in place for submission to concerned national agencies for funding considerations. 

  

For his part, Prof. Abduljim Hassan, facilitator of the workshop design said that the three objectives of the workshop will help the municipalities enhance its strategic planning and design and improve its performance especially in tackling its AIP and development thrusts.

Participants of the workshop include municipal planning and development coordinators (MPDCs) of the 11 municipalities of the province.