Sulu Governor Sakur Tan said the aid from the US this year went to the constructions of 13 area coordinating centers and 14 road projects.
It also includes repairs of 20 school buildings, 25 artesian wells and eight water distribution systems across the province.
Tan said these projects were on top of other humanitarian programs that benefited the locals, from medical missions to training of policemen and the soldiers in various workshops.
Joint Task Force Comet chief Major General Juancho Sabban said more development projects have been lined up in Sulu by both the Philippine and US militaries as part of the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder), a codename for joint humanitarian undertakings between Manila and Washington.
Sabban said that progress comes easily for a community where people are educated and well informed.
In recognizing this vital factor, he said the military makes it a goal to help bring education, especially in far-flung communities.
"Investing in education is the key to peace and development, which is a long term solution," Sabban said.
Tan signed an agreement with the Philippine military to maintain all finished projects.
The Philippine military projects in Sulu went mostly to the renovation of school buildings, road infrastructure and repairs of mosques.
They also devoted for the water system and livelihood programs of the locals that included goats and duck raising, seaweed and cassava farming.
"The military, with its humanitarian activities, is confident that the problem on peace and order will be solved," Sabban said.
He maintained that development is the best key weapon in the pursuit of peace and progress in Sulu.
He said the projects are part of the so-called "community organizing and people empowerment approach."
He hopes that these projects will win hearts and minds of the local Muslims and get their active participation in the efforts to promote peace and development in Sulu.
Tan praised the Philippine and US troops for their active roles in developing Sulu. He pledged to continue supporting these efforts to bring peace in the province.
Last week, Tan has inaugurated seven projects that include artesian wells, school buildings and road infrastructures in the town of Patikul.
Various development projects are also slated for the mostly poor areas in Sulu's 19 towns.
