Steering Committee approves project prototypes

Isabela City, Basilan (October 1, 2021) – Steering Committee (SC) members met today for its 3rd quarterly (regular) meeting to discuss and approve project proposals. Present were mayors Hanie Bud and Nerwelyn Mansul. Governor Jim Hataman and Mayor Nursiya Ismael were represented by Provincial Administrator Manny Muarip and former councilor Ustadz Patta Lazaro. Also present were Ms January Zanoria, Lead Facilitator for the Technical Working Group (TWG); Mr Zia Ulhaq Basa, Manager of the Alliance Office, and Mr Noor Saada, Manager of the MILAB Project.

Prior to this quarterly meeting, the TWG prepared these proposals building on the Value Chain Analysis (VCA). A series of online conversation was undertaken to discuss and refine the proposals. Given the scarcity of available data and in order to test the viability of the concept, it was agreed to iterate the proposal and to begin with prototypes. Prototyping serves to provide specifications for a real, working model rather than a theoretical one. Prototyping was adopted because of its familiarity with local chief executives under their current bridging leadership journey on local health development. 

The following prototypes were approved by the SC:

• Prototype 1: Fresh and dried seafood marketing project to be led by Hadji Muhtamad and Maluso LGUs. Towards this end, MILAP Project will engage a marketing consultant to facilitate liaising with prospective bulk buyers in Zamboanga City.
  
  
• Prototype 2: Nito weaving project to be led by Lantawan  LGU. This weaving project can expand to include nipa and pandan. MILAB will source a nito trainer for product enhancement. The marketing consultant for prototype 1 will incorporate exploring the bulk market for nito products in Zamboanga City.
  
  
• Prototype 3: Cassava contract growing to be led by Sumisip LGU. An invitation letter will be sent to a prospective corporate partner inviting a team for proper orientation and initial area assessment.
  
  
• Prototype 4: Community-level cassava processing to be led by Lantawan LGU. An invitation letter will be sent to an institutional partner for initial visit and orientation.

The SC has also approved the suggested components and process for the development of a provincial CRM "blueprint". This blueprint has been requested by the Provincial Government to signal its emerging and expanding focus on coastal resources management, particularly in the area of sustainable livelihood and conservation. 

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.