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Friday, October 15, 2004
Ricciardone, USAID officials visit Basilan
By Cheng Ordoņez
US AMBASSADOR to the Philippines Francis Ricciardone inspected the port improvement project in Maluso, Basilan province, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which poured in millions of pesos in support of the Philippine government's effort to rehabilitate the strife-ridden region.
Maluso is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), and where security forces are battling Abu Sayyaf terrorists whose group is tied to Al-Qaeda network.
Ricciardone was accompanied by USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios, USAID mission director Dr. Michael Yates, and Presidential Assistant Jesus Dureza, who were met in Maluso by Basilan Gov. Wahab Akbar and Maluso Mayor Sakib Salajin.
The project cost reached P58,835,199 and being undertaken by the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM-2) through its Mid-Scale Infrastructure Program for conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.
The Maluso port improvement has been specifically pronounced as a priority project by Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Governor Parouk Hussin and is included in the Regional Economic Agenda for peace and development.
The same project was endorsed to the national government for priority implementation by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) and the Basilan Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council.
The Maluso port, otherwise referred to as the Upper Port Holland, sits on a natural harbor along the Gaunan Channel.
This municipality is the nearest point of trade and commerce for people form the nearby Pilas group of islands, the Tapiantana group of islands, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, since it is located on the west-most side of the province.
Benefits
The Maluso port is expected to generate greater economic activities in Maluso and its neighboring islands.
It is considered time saving in terms of faster uploading and unloading of cargo and passengers and berthing of vessels at the port will be realized.
It is also expected that, at least, an increase of 20 percent of traffic will be achieved, even as a reduction of spoilage of goods as a result of increased availability of vessels and frequency of calls at the port.
Operation and Maintenance
The Municipality of Maluso will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the port with the LGU allocating a yearly budget for its keep up.
When completed, the Maluso port will have the following improvements: 200m continuous stair landing with core rocks and earth filling materials; 39m by 15m bulkhead; 9m by 9m Ro-Ro ramp on sheet pile; 5m by 10m passenger terminal building with comfort rooms and overhead water tank; and drainage system.
Isabela CLIC Project
From Maluso Ambassador Ricciardone and his party proceeded to Isabela City, where he turned over a Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) Program to the administrator and school officials of the Basilan National High School (BNHS), at Leroy Brown Street, in Isabela.
The BNHS is a recipient of a CLIC package, consisting of five computer units, and a printer. The CLIC package also provided provisions for local area connection network (LAN), training for basic repair and maintenance and basic computer and Internet literacy course.
The program is expected to provide an avenue for improved delivery of science and technology instruction and information; create an atmosphere of competitiveness and excellence in undertaking science-related activities; and better computer literacy for faculty members.
(October 14, 2004 issue)
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