Saturday, April 02, 2011

US, Sulu gov’t partnership committed towards progress and development

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TAN MEETS THOMAS Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan and United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., during Thomas' arrival at the Sulu Capitol site Tuesday.


Capitol Site, Patikul, Sulu-  Strengthening Cooperation and Partnership towards progress and development in Sulu was the main agenda between Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan and United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., when they met here Tuesday morning.

Thomas said  he came to Sulu to have an idea of the immediate priorities of the Provincial Government and assistance necessary to help improve the Socio-Economic landscape of the Province. 

Thomas who is visiting Sulu for the first time was accompanied by Mike Pigratello, USAID Director Gloria Steele,  Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) Commander Captain Robert Gusentine, Wesmincom chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer.

The Sulu governor thanked the Ambassador for the various projects given by the US Government to the people of Sulu.

Tan mentioned the rehabilitation of the Jolo Airport Runway and Jolo Mainland Water Improvement Projects which benefit residents in the town of Jolo and other parts of the Mainland.

Livelihood projects
 for our people, infrastructure support and power are key areas that need much assistance. Substantial improvement in these areas would definitely create opportunities for the province to move forward,” Tan said.

The Governor emphasized that the provincial government is doing its best to address these areas.

“In fact we are now constructing a fishport in maimbung with assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to serve as a facilities support for fishing vessels who are plying their trade in Sulu sea, to stimulate investment in the area so that our people would have a share in the resources of our territorial waters,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Ferrer informed Thomas that Sulu will be the site where Regional Command B of the ARMM Police will be situated.

“Sulu will definitely be the center of Police Activities in the BASULTA Region. This will help improve peace and order in the region” he said.

Gov. Tan for his part said that Sulu has a good police organization and further training would greatly enhance their capacity in the campaign against criminal elements and their activities.

Concerning future programs and projects, Gov. Tan requested Ambassador Thomas and USAID Director Gloria Steele to utilize the Sulu Area Coordination Center (SACC) so that proper monitoring and coordination of projects can be implemented.  Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) is a member of the Sulu Area Coordination Center (SACC).

Thomas expressed his appreciation to Gov. Tan and to the people of Sulu for the Warm welcome he received. He reiterated the U.S. Government’s commitment to assists the People of Sulu to achieve better lives.

The US Ambassador’s Visit came a few weeks after a donor’s forum was sponsored by the USAID in Sulu to assists projects identified by multi-stakeholders and communities.

U.S. Government Assistance thru USAID, JSOTFP implemented support programs in areas of Health, Security, Infrastructure, Education and Capacity Building programs to enhance livelihood in the province. (Sulu-PIO)

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Sonny Y. Abing III OIC, Prov'l Information Officer
Province of Sulu
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