Gov Jim Hataman inspires WBA workshop participants

(In photo) Basilan Gov Jim Hataman inspiring participants to the WBA Operations Manual Workshop. (Photo credit: Zhor Barry Hasim/Provl Government)

Isabela City, Basilan (April 6, 2021) – Participants from Hadji Muhtamad, Lantawan, Maluso and Sumisip, all member-LGUs of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) and partner agencies, such as the provincial offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) and the Basilan Provincial Government convene today for a week-long workshop on operations manual. The development of the operations manual is a ke provision in the WBA's Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

Governor Jim Hataman in his inspirational message walks through the participants about ongoing challenges, current gains and forward ideas on peace and security, cocolisap devastation, local rubber industry, local fishery sector and food security. He points to the need for research-driven policies and programs, such as attracting capital investment, enhancing economic productivity, “branding” challenge in marketing Basilan and its products, and addressing loose firearms through a cultural and not just legal lens.

He recalls the motivation behind the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) and hopes local governments would level up in the ideation of development. He trusts that local leaders and personnel would eventually be sophisticated in empowering themselves in terms of functionalities of services and long-term effects of program delivery and, not just simply be contented with documentary compliance and immediate concerns.

Finally, he emphasizes the value of working together as a foundation of development. He feels the WBA provides practical experience for member LGUs and personnel in addressing shared concerns and addressing them collaboratively. He is equally optimistic that the current initiatives will concretize and yield gains for the people in the long term.

Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments in the province.