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Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) headed by Gov Jim Hataman and with the mayors of member LGUs assemble to understand details of Phase 2 partnership with AECID under the Modelling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB) Project. (Photo Zhor Barry Hasim)
Isabela City, Basilan (February 5, 2020) - Member-LGUs of the Western Basilan Alliance (WBA) convene today for a session to take a look into the 2-year phase 2 implementation of their partnership with AECID, the Spanish Aid Agency in the Philippines, under their “Modelling Inter-LGU Alliance in Basilan (MILAB) Project.
Present in today's WBA assembly are the provincial governor and vice governor, the provincial administrator, four mayors from the member-LGUs, provincial and municipal planning and development officers and agriculturists. Also present are IAG's executive director Atty Benny Bacani, deputy director Jacque Fernandez, MILAB consultants Dr Filemon Romero and Karen Oloroso-Miel, MILAB project manager Noor Saada and coordinator Sheila Acquiatan.
Today's session is to level off with the approved MILAB Phase 2 design and implementation plan. Two (3) technical consultants are also introduced. Ms Karen Oloroso-Miel has been engaged under Phase 1 and brings with her wealth of experiences working with provincial, city and municipal local government units across the country on alliance building through varied focus, from health promotion to natural resources protection and management. Prof Dr. Filemon Romero is the latest consultant to be engaged in this project. He is a marine scientist by profession and had worked with international and local agencies on different facets of marine science, fisheries and oceanography.
In his opening statement, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman emphasizes the critical roles of local government in project buy-in and sustainability, that donors can come and help them, but it is ultimately their responsibility to start and continue this project within the unique context or situation of the province. He also reiterated the need for balance between coastal resources protection and community livelihood. He observes that the current push for coastal resources protection and management had resulted in community residents lamenting, “allum daying, matay aa” (fish will be well, while people will die). Thus, he encourage the local officials present to use the Western Basilan Alliance as an opportunity to come up with a project that put forward a balance between these two equally important concerns, especially in the need to craft a coastal resources development 'blueprint' for Basilan and the need to work through the WBA framework.
Atty Benny Bacani, IAG Executive Director and implementing partner of MILAB Phase 2 accepted the governor's challenge and explains the role IAG will play under Phase 2. He said, the technical assistance available this project should entrench sustainability in both the planning and implementation of project activities.
In his opening statement, Basilan Governor Jim Hataman emphasizes the critical roles of local government in project buy-in and sustainability, that donors can come and help them, but it is ultimately their responsibility to start and continue this project within the unique context or situation of the province. He also reiterated the need for balance between coastal resources protection and community livelihood. He observes that the current push for coastal resources protection and management had resulted in community residents lamenting, “allum daying, matay aa” (fish will be well, while people will die). Thus, he encourage the local officials present to use the Western Basilan Alliance as an opportunity to come up with a project that put forward a balance between these two equally important concerns, especially in the need to craft a coastal resources development 'blueprint' for Basilan and the need to work through the WBA framework.
Atty Benny Bacani, IAG Executive Director and implementing partner of MILAB Phase 2 accepted the governor's challenge and explains the role IAG will play under Phase 2. He said, the technical assistance available this project should entrench sustainability in both the planning and implementation of project activities.
Prof. Romero made a presentation on environmental protection and sustainable fisheries. Many of the concepts and practices he presented were new and amused the participants. Participants were upbeat with his presentation because they saw opportunities for sustainable livelihood.
The assembly also heard presentation of the latest from the WBA 99.1 FM radio facility which is now headed by Mr Zia ul Haq Basa. Mr Basa is also serving as manager of the WBA management office housed at the Maluso Town Hall. Mr Basa is not new to WBA as he was very much involved in its early stage when he was a member of the legislative council of Maluso.
After the assembly, the participants agreed to put in more meat into the approved MILAB Phase 2 activities which are mainly around institutionalizing the alliance and pursuing livelihood as platform for working together.
Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the 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.
The assembly also heard presentation of the latest from the WBA 99.1 FM radio facility which is now headed by Mr Zia ul Haq Basa. Mr Basa is also serving as manager of the WBA management office housed at the Maluso Town Hall. Mr Basa is not new to WBA as he was very much involved in its early stage when he was a member of the legislative council of Maluso.
After the assembly, the participants agreed to put in more meat into the approved MILAB Phase 2 activities which are mainly around institutionalizing the alliance and pursuing livelihood as platform for working together.
Western Basilan Alliance is the first interlocal cooperation in Basilan and is being capacitated by the 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.
