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 39th
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 39th
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)