SULU (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 7, 2012) – “(This is) a place of convergence and will showcase the abundance of potential for economic enterprise of Maimbung and the province as a whole,” and this was how Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles described the P25-million Maimbung Integrated Public Market which she recently inaugurated along with Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and Mayor Samier Tan.
The market project is under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program, which is Aquino government’s peace and development framework for empowering conflict-affected areas in the country.
Deles said the inauguration of the modern market is the commitment of President Benigno Aquino to the people of Sulu though the provincial government. “It is also a way for the people to realize the benefits from government going down to the grassroots and to send a strong signal that the government is serious in making peace a reality in conflict-prone areas,” she said.
Provincial and municipal officials led by Tan expressed their gratitude to the President and his peace adviser for taking cognizance of the needs and aspirations of the locals and taking concrete actions by funding projects which will help improve the lives of the people.
“We are so thankful to the President and to all those who continuously hear the people’s pleas for peace and development assistance and to Secretary Deles, who has been very supportive of our efforts, we also thank you and all government agencies which contributed largely to various projects in Sulu,” Tan said.
Tan also called on market stall holders to maintain cleanliness and conduct business in an orderly manner to make the marketplace conducive for good economic enterprise.
“The project is one way to improve the lives of our people. This is a big step in pursuing improve economic activities in this municipality,” the local mayor said.
He said the market is now open for business and is fast becoming a trade center for other towns near Maimbung. Several restaurants are also opening soon in Maimbung, including a cold-storage and school that will give free fisheries and agricultural education to the locals.
Tan said other noted projects in Sulu include the Provincial Women’s Council, a hospital and site of the proposed new textile building in the capital town of Jolo, housing and other infrastructure programs.
Telecommunication giant, Globe Telecom, also installed a new cell site, making mobile communication in Maimbung and other areas possible.
“We have so many development projects and all these are for the people of Sulu. We want peace and progress and development so we may again bring back the good old glory of Sulu as a major trading hub in the South,” Tan said. (Mindanao Examiner)
20