Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, chairman of Mindanao Development Authority announces in a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 25 that the province of Tawi-Tawi will be declared as an economic free zone. (Jaycel Villacorte/davaotoday.com)
By Christine Megrino, Intern
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—To bring peace and narrow the development gap among other countries, a high ranking official of Mindanao Development Authority has asked the public for their full engagement.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, chairman of the MinDA said through Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), connectivity within the four countries will further be strengthened.
The BIMP-EAGA is a sub-regional economic cooperation designed to spur economic development among its member countries.
“BIMP-EAGA could pave the way of bringing them to restore Mindanao once again as the gateway of Philippines to the BIMP-EAGA and to the world and to china,” Alonto said.
He also said that they have plans to improve and make the province of Tawi-Tawi as an economic free zone.
“In fact it is a comprehensive approach on livelihood and social to be addressed and infrastructure facilities must be established because there are so many interested parties here,” Alonto said.
Alonto also said that Lanao is considered the poorest province in the Philippines and Lanao Del Sur as the poorest municipality in the country.
“We have to tell our people, (do) you want peace and development with justice? Or (do) you still want the darkness that incur poverty and ignorance?” Alonto added.
He added that the government cannot do it alone without the full engagement and support of the people and they are attaining on it.
“One instrument that can dismantle the great divide between you and the people is to have connectivity, to feel that Mindanao is one house and to feel that we belong to a one family,” Alonto added. (davaotoday.com)
