Friday, May 23, 2008 RP-US military-initiated Sulu dev't projects inaugurated
FIVE development projects realized through the joint efforts of the US and Philippine armed forces were inaugurated Wednesday in the island province of Sulu.
The development projects are: Tugas public meeting room; Tandu Patung School; Silankan-Langpas Road; Parang's Area Coordinating Center; and Parang Hospital.
Joint Task Force Comet chief Major Geneneral Juancho Sabban said the projects were made possible through the financial assistance of the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF) under its development program.
"We believe in a teamwork approach in fulfilling the aspirations of our people towards access to basic necessities. Hence, with the assistance of our US counterparts, we have all come together to help the people with their needs," Sabban said.
US troops under the JSOTF stationed in the province of Sulu are undertaking humanitarian projects in the province.
They are also providing assistance to Filipino troops in the fight against the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits by way of intelligence fusion and training.
"Uplifting the lives of our people will make them forget about war," Sabban added.
JSOTF-P chief Colonel William Coultrup agreed that with development comes peace.
Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said he foresees peace is attainable with the development going on in his province.
"Nevertheless with these development undertakings, we are slowly changing the Sulu image from chaotic to peaceful and developed place," Tan said.
He expressed gratitude to the military's development efforts, saying that the people of Sulu are glad for the military shift from all-out war to an all-out humanitarian offensive.
"I sincerely thank our Armed Forces and the US government in providing us with all these assistance. I share the same vision with Major General Sabban that the problem in peace and order can be best achieved through addressing the causes," he stressed.
Several residents as well as barangay and municipal officials have graced the inauguration of the five development projects. (Bong Garcia)
