The Department of Agriculture (DA) has tied up with the country’s top business tycoons for a program aimed at alleviating poverty in Sulu and stop the recruitment of rebel groups in the province.
Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol will submit to President Duterte Monday next week the “Save Sulu Project” designed to cut poverty incidence in the province by 25 percent in three years.
Piñol said this was in line with the President’s directive last September after he met former Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, who lamented that massive poverty was the reason for the recruitment of Suluanos by extremist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf.
The Save Sulu Project includes the development of the island province’s telecommunications system, power supply, road system, and the local economy to provide its people with regular income.
The DA has pooled private investments with the Go-Negosyo group, led by Presidential Consultant on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, who participated in the crafting of the program.
Piñol said they have secured the commitment of Manuel V. Pangilinan, owner of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT). Business leaders like San Miguel Corporation, Bounty Fresh as well as top businessmen Henry Lim and Rosario Chui will also be pouring in investments in infrastructure, agriculture and business in the province.
(Vanne Elaine Terrazola)