Jolo gets share of PGMA's Pamaskong Handog
By Rene V. Carbayas
Isabela City, Basilan (31 December) -- The Tausugs of the southern Philippines finally got their share of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's "Pamaskong Handog" yesterday (November 30) where some 2,000 residents of the municipality of Jolo received packs of goods.
Reports said that some 2,314 residents welcomed Malacaņang's representative to Jolo with placards bearing words of gratitude to the President. Radyo Ng Bayan-Jolo station manager Zenaida Masong said that these placards were "very prominent at the Jolo municipal government compound that day."
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Nabil Tan, who came on behalf of Sec. Jesus Dureza, said that these "gifts from the President to the people of Jolo, Sulu manifests her administration's primary concern to the Tausugs."
Host Mayor of Jolo Hussin Amin exclaimed that his constituents were very lucky to received food items as gifts from the President during this Yuletide season. Usec. Tan and Governor Sakur Tan, who had just arrived from the Hajj Pilgrimage from Saudi Arabia, led in the gift-giving activity.
The National Food Authority prepared a total of 18,000 gift packs allocated for Sulu and the Department of Social Welfare helped in the distribution. Each pack contains 1 kilo of rice, 2 packs noodles, and 2 canned goods.
With the 2,000 packs already distributed to Jolo, the remaining 16,000 will be subdivided to the other 18 municipalities of Sulu Province.
While thankful for the gifts, some locals were hopeful for a "greater gift" from the Arroyo administration that would bring better job security and livelihood through better economy, and peace and development in this southern part of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Pamaskong Handog in Tawi-Tawi was deferred to a later date in January 2008. Sources said the local government decided to postpone it, as the Governor is yet to arrive from the pilgrimage. Moreover, local officials are also waiting for officials from the OPAPP, who were expected to represent the President, to confirm the next schedule.
Nevertheless, the NFA and DSWD in Tawi-Tawi are ready with the packed goods containing 2 kilos of rice, 2 packs noodles, and 2 canned goods, for distribution to some 6,669 target families in Tawi-Tawi, mostly to Bajau communities. Other island municipalities will also get a share from these goods. (PIA-BASULTA/with Zenaida Masong, RnB Jolo & Hadi Alih, PIA Tawi-Tawi) [top]
