DILG Sec Roxas lauds Team Basilan’s convergence efforts

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – “Kahit na ‘water boy’ lang ako sa Team Basilan, karangalan ko pong sumali at makibahagi sa inyung samahan sa probinsiya.” (Even if I’ll play the role of a water boy in your Team Basilan, it would be an honor for me to take part in your convergence in the province.)

This was the message of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas at the occasion of the 39^th Founding Anniversary of Basilan Province, Thursday, as he lauded the convergence efforts of the Provincial Peace and Development Coordinating Committee also known as Team Basilan.

“Higit akong natutuwa sa inisyatibo ng mga taga-Basilan na isulong at magpunyagi upang ipakita sa buong mundo ang tunay at totoong anyo ng ating magandang lalawigan,” (I am too happy about this initiative of the residents here to show to the world the true picture of this beautiful province) Roxas said.

He said that “the celebration dubbed ‘Pakaradjaan 2013’ is a laudable initiative to showcase the beauty and rich culture of the people of Basilan, including the persistence and aspirations of the people united.”

“Tamang-tama at eksaktong-eksakto ang celebrating convergence in Basilan bilang tema ng ikatlong pagdiriwang ng Pakaradjaan, na sa salitang Tausug at Yakan ay ibig sabihin ang sabi sa akin ay okasyon o kasayahan nagpapakita ng ating mga tradisyon at pagpapasalamat,” (Your theme, celebrating convergence in Basilan, suits your third year Pakaradjaan celebration, showing a tradition of thanksgiving) he said.

Although, Basilan celebrates its 39^th founding anniversary as a province, Pakaradjaan festival was only adopted three years ago.

“Anyayahan natin ang lahat na tunghayan ang nagaganap na pagbabago dito sa Basilan at kabuuan ng Mindanao,” (Let’s invite them to witness the changes happening here in Basilan and the whole of Mindanao) he added.

The DILG chief said that “Basilan is a perfect example of convergence of people coming together for one goal, which is the only path towards peace and progress.”

“Iba-iba man ang ating kultura at pinagmulan—Tausug, Yakan, Tagalog, Muslim, Kristyano, binibigkis tayo ng iisang mithiin na naging maayos at maunlad ang buhay ng bawat isa sa Basilan. Dahil higit kailanman sa ating kasaysayan ngayon, pinakamahalaga ang pagkakaisa natin na samasamang pagtahak sa daan matuwid ni P-Noy,” (Although we come from different cultures and tribes – Tausug, Yakan, Tagalog, Muslim, Kristyano – our common aspiration is better life for all. The most important thing nowadays is that we will be one in treading on the straight path of P-Noy) he said.

He told the people of Basilan that a significant change had been achieved by the province under the Aquino administration and because of the united stand of the local leaders and the people to work for peace and development.

“Dito lamang sa Basilan, nakita ko po ang istatistika. Nakakainggit po talaga kayo. Biro niyo po, ang project niyo dito ay higit sa tatlong bilyung piso ang imprastraktura na nagmumula sa central government na ipamamahagi dito lamang sa probinsya ng Basilan,” (Statistics would show that for Basilan alone, the infrastructure projects from the central government already reached to P3 billion) he noted.

“Ito nangyayari dahil una matuwid ang pamamahala sa Kamaynilaan sa ilalim ng Pangulong P-Noy at ganon din po dito, kayo po ay naging united, lahat ng pagsisikap, lahat ng pagpapapawis, at pagsasakripisyo na tutungo sa kaunlaran at hindi sa pag-aaway-away o sa mga intrigahan sa pangkalooban. May kasabihan sa Ingles na “A family united will stand strong,” (This only happened because of the straight leadership of PNoy, complemented by your efforts and sacrifices toward progress and not by petty intrigues and skirmishes) he said.

He further urged the people not to let spoilers of development to succeed in pulling the country back to a state of disunity and corruption of the past, urging Basileños to strengthen unity, cooperation, and compassion with one another.

He promised that the Aquino administration will continue to support and assist in every way the convergence efforts of Team Basilan in its aspiration towards peace and progress.

Team Basilan is a convergence group organized by the Provincial Government of Basilan that would plan, organize, and co-implement programs and projects for peace and development. Members of the convergence come from the local government units, government line agencies, civil society organization, academe, religious, media, military and police, among others. (PIA9)