Member of Parliament Jose I. Lorena joins officials and stakeholders during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new youth training center in Jolo, Sulu, on April 3, 2025. (Alline Jamar Undikan/BIO)
JOLO, Sulu – A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 3, marking the start of construction for two new training centers in Sulu, which are expected to significantly benefit the youth of the province.
The first center, a multi-purpose one-storey building, will rise at the Boy Scout Santanina Sports Complex in Barangay San Raymundo, Jolo. The second, a one-storey youth training and management center, will be located in Barangay Kahawa, Talipao.
Both projects fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Settlement and Development (MHSD) – Sulu provincial office, and are funded under the Transition Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Jose I. Lorena.
MP Lorena addressed those gathered at the ceremony, saying, “We hope this project will be completed as soon as the others, thanks to the Ministry of Human Settlement and Development’s oversight.”
“We’ve already successfully established two similar training centers – one at Sulu State College and another at Mindanao State University,” he added, highlighting previous accomplishment of similar projects.
Engr. Abdelnaser S. Adjaraie, representing the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Sulu Council, expressed gratitude for the initiative, adding, “I hope this project will prosper, benefiting not only the Boy Scouts of Sulu, but Sulu in general.”
MHSD-Sulu Provincial Director Atty. Najira S. Hassan emphasized the importance of timely and complete project implementation.”We will do our utmost to complete the project as soon as possible,” she said.
“All projects should be turned over and utilized so that the money and effort of those who provide us with these projects are not wasted,” she added.
Further words of gratitude to the Bangsamoro Government were expressed by Barangay San Raymundo Kagawad Nurhakeem Uddin Jr. and Jolo LGU consultant Mohammad Nur Alih.
“This project stands as a testament to the continuous efforts of our leaders to uplift and empower our community, ensuring it has spaces dedicated to learning, development, and growth,” Uddin said.
The ceremonies were attended by representatives from barangay and municipal LGUs of Jolo and Talipao, as well as members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Sulu Council. The new centers are expected to provide vital training and resources for the youth of Sulu, in line with BARMM’s agenda of contributing to their overall development and empowerment. (Alline Jamar M. Undikan/BIO)
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