MALUSO, Basilan — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has turned over PHP7.4 million infrastructure and livelihood projects in this municipality.
ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman led the inauguration and turnover of the projects on Sunday at the sidelines of the ARMM People’s Day in this municipality.
The ARMM People’s Day is a monthly activity that serves as an opportunity for the regional line agencies and offices to offer and render their frontline services to the people of the region. The services included children’s feeding program, medical check-up, circumcision, jobs fair, and others.
The projects that were turned over included PHP5.4 million barangay hall and multi-purpose building in Tubigan and PHP2 million livelihood projects to the fisherfolks cooperative in Barangay Lower Port Holland.
The projects were part of the ARMM’s flagship program–Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance Synergy (ARMM-HELPS).
Aurellano Laping, Tubigan barangay chairperson, Mayor Hanie Bud and other officials joined Hataman in the inauguration of the projects.
Hataman said that the ARMM is now focused on delivering socio-economic and infrastructure projects to the different provinces and towns all over the region.
Laping said they had been staying for years in Barangay Tubigan and they never thought there will be projects for the betterment of the residents.
“The residents are very happy since they now have a place where to gather together,” Laping added.
“We are glad about the bulk of projects given to the people of Maluso,” Bud said.
He added the projects will be of great help in uplifting the lives of his constituents and will promote peaceful and safe environment.
He said the P2 million worth of motorboat and fishing supplies will boost the livelihood of the fisher folks cooperative of Barangay Lower Port Holland.
Bud said he was also thankful that President Rodrigo R. Duterte heeded to their request that the town’s municipal waters be made exclusive to local fisher folks.
Hataman vowed that his administration will intensify efforts to protect them.
Hataman recalled that “historically, Maluso was a fishing port.”
“All of the fish brought to Zamboanga City and Isabela City come from Maluso,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anwar Upahm, ARMM-HELPS director, said Barangay Tubigan will also receive birthing facilities, armchairs for schools, and cattle for farmers this year.
Upahm said that Barangay Lower Port Holland had earlier received a barangay hall and a youth and women center.
He said that ARMM-HELPS has served a total of 85 barangays since 2014 in this province.
He said that eight of the 85 barangays are in this town and these are Batungal, Tamuk, Taberlongan, Upper Port Holland, Tubigan, Abong-Abong, Fuente Maluso and Lower Port Holland.
The ARMM-HELPS is a convergence initiative of the regional government and is regarded as the centerpiece of the Hataman administration, which has been pursuing programs through the regional line agencies.
The ARMM-HELPS projects include barangay health stations, flea markets, and water systems.
It also supports cooperatives and provides medicines and birthing supplies and equipment for its health component. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
