PGMA lauds peace and security in Glan

GLAN, Sarangani (October 11, 2009) - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recognized the effort of the municipal government in maintaining peace, order and security in the municipality in her speech during the 95th Foundation Anniversary at Glan gymnasium, Thursday (October 8).

"Congratulations tungod kay ang kalinaw klaro sa lungsod sa Glan, wala'y NPA, MILF, MNLF," Arroyo said, who was the guest speaker.

Arroyo, aside from gracing the foundation anniversary of the municipality, also formally opened the P1 million Customs-Immigration-Quarantine-Security (CIQS) One-Stop Action Center (OSAC) building at the port of Glan, which "will be one of the most important ports in the Brunei-Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).”

"Dili lamang gwapo ang kalinaw sa Glan, but we have also a very important milestone, ang One-Stop Action Center sa port. Pakusgan niini ang komersiyo sa BIMP-EAGA," Arroyo said.

During the foundation rites, Arroyo also led the awarding of prizes for the winners of the 10th Lubi-lubi Festival, celebrated in time of the 15-day long 95th Foundation Anniversary.

Meanwhile, to accelerate the hunger mitigation program of the government, Arroyo also turned-over open-pollinated variety of corn seeds for Sarangani farmers as well as awarded the Philippine Coconut Authority certificates for bags of salt fertilizers for coconut farmers in Glan.The 95th Foundation Anniversary opened on September 25.

With a theme "Kinaiyahan... Kinabuhi sa Tanan, Angayan Ampingan (Nature... Life for All, Must be Protected", Mayor Enrique Yap Jr. earlier stressed responsible stewardship in the environment. He noted that conservation, protection, and preservation must be given focus to avert calamities.

One of the highlights of the municipality's foundation anniversary is the celebration of the Tribal Day held at Plaza Rizal in Glan on October 6.Mayor Yap was installed by Datu Tanao Tao, the municipal tribal chieftain, to possess the responsibility to protect the tribe in the municipality.

Given the name Datu Fulong Munong Banwe, Yap pledged to be the "Protector of the Land" and must constitute solidarity in the area.

"Dako akong kalipay nga nahimo kong Datu ug angay lamang gayud nga kini akong ipasigarbo ug tagaan og importansiya tungod atong nasayran nga usa sa pinakaunang tawo sa Mindanao ang atong mga kaigsuonang Blaan ug Muslim," Yap asserted.

"Ang pagdawat nako sa akong katungod dili nako pakauwawan ang tribo, ipakita nako ang pagdala sa tribo ngadto sa kalamboan," he added.

Yap has already initiated programs for the indigenous people in Glan such as the Adult Literacy Program, among others. (Joy Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)