By
Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Three months after the “Zamboanga
crisis” that pinnacled the city in the international arena with international
attention, the locals are continuously trying to move on with
life as Zamboanga City sturdily conveys message that she remains strong and is
doing well in getting up again, and one better way to show this is to propel
local tourism.
Known
as “sail of hope,” the Department of Tourism (DOT)-9 launched Tuesday morning
(Dec. 3) “Vinta de Esperanza” project, at the Paseo Del Mar.
The activity was a symbolic sailing, a
beacon of hope, which sends meaning that after all the Zamboangueños had gone
through, there is still hope for everyone.
“Harnessing tourism
as a means of creating jobs for communities, the project aims to provide income
opportunities specifically to the affected Samals,” said DOT-9 Regional
Director Mary June Bugante.
It
can be recalled, the city of Zamboanga was shaken by heart-wrenching event that
displaced hundreds of families, halted economic dynamism, leaving peaceful
barangays devastated.
The
crisis in Zamboanga was a result from the firefight between the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) and the Moro National Liberation Fron (MNLF)-Misuari
faction. The government forces stood to defend the city against the MNLF
fighters that launched terror in the city, holding captive hundreds of
residents and using them as human shield.
The
ordeal which broke last Sept. 9, has displaced more than a hundred thousand
civilians mainly coming from the barangays of Rio Hondo, Mariki, Sta. Barbara,
Sta. Catalina, Kasanyangan, Talon-talon, and Mampang.
Mostly
affected by the crisis are the Muslim indigenous people (IP), including a group
of Samals who used to earn their living from fishing and Vinta Sailing at
Paseo.
Bugante
said the Vinta de Esperanza project engages Samal women in the production of 50
units colorful vinta sails; fishermen who owns vintas to participate in the “Regatta
de Esperanza” that will set sail upon resumption of peace and order and at the
same time use the event as a beacon of hope in the road to recovery and
rebuilding the devastated areas of Zamboanga City.
“The activity intends
to instill in the hearts of all Zamboangueños the account of how its people
braced for the ordeal and win the battle – a turn of unwelcome events that will
certainly contribute a significant chapter in the history of Zamboanga
Hermosa,”
the DOT lady director said.
Partner
agencies/institutions in this undertaking include the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZSPC)
and the city government.