By Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The
Department of Science and Technology in Region IX and the ARMM province of
Basilan recently turned-over cheques of some Php1.1 million worth of projects
under the Transition Investment Support Plan (TISP) to local beneficiaries.
During the recent turn-over ceremony held at Farmland Resort in
Lanote, Isabela City, DOST-ARMM Secretary Myra Alih and Gilbert Laksamana of DOST-9
led the distribution of cheques to Lamitan Yakan Cloth Weavers (P175,000.00),
the local government unit of Lantawan for its vinegar processing project
(P210,164.00), and the provincial government of Basilan for its bioreactor
project (P719,246.00).
Jurma A. Tikmasan, deputy program manager
PMO, TISP-ARMM lauded the efforts of the newly assumed secretary of DOST-ARMM
to fastrack the release of funds to beneficiaries.
“We salute the efforts of our new secretary.
She personally went to DBM to follow-up the release of the cheques,” she said.
Tikmasan said that it was only last year that
they have conducted an orientation on the TISP project as President Benigno
Aquino III’s catch-up plan for the ARMM with P8.59 billion pesos coming from
the savings of eleven national line agencies. She added that among them, DOST’s
funds were the smallest but significant.
“Unfortunately, it took quite some time to
fully implement the TISP for several reasons; delays are experienced due to
some requirements that beneficiaries could not easily comply. On top of this is
the delay brought about by procedures of agencies where these proposals were
submitted,” she explained.
“At least today, the funds were already
released before the TISP will wind up by December this year,” she added.
Secretary Alih said that beneficiaries have
six months to show that funds are utilized to implement the project; otherwise
the government will demand back the funds and the equipment released.
Tikmasan affirmed, however, that “if we
proved our worth (in project implementation), it is not impossible for another
TISP projects in Basilan.”
Meanwhile, Basilan Gov. Jum J, Akbar
expressed elation over the approved projects and the release of the funds. She
was also grateful for ARG Mujiv Hataman for the appointment of Myra Alih as
DOST-ARMM Secretary who is from Basilan.
Gov Akbar also hope and pray that Basilan
will already achieve its dream of peace and development through access to
various programs and project funds for implementation. “We hope that more and
more projects will be approved for Basilan.”
During the ceremony, cheques were received by
Gov Akbar for the bioreactor project, the Provincial Administrator Tahira
Ismael and Lantawan Mayor Rustam Ismael for the vinegar processing project, and
Anajane Acalul for the Technology Transfer and Skills Development Training on
Handloom Weaving project. (PIA9)