Volunteers bring hope, love to Mohammad Ajul town in Basilan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 7): Volunteers bring hope, love to Mohammad Ajul town in Basilan

We woke up early morning. With packed goods, a well-rested and a conditioned body, we were ready for quite a long trip to the coastal village of Pintasan, Mohammad Ajul in the eastern part of Basilan. This remote place with history of conflict is rarely visited by government agencies to bring basic services.

We drove for some 30 kilometers by land and embarked on a sea ride for more than an hour before reaching the area. The sea was calm that day but the humid air draws one’s sweat profusely.

The travel may wear out anyone, but for some 20 volunteers—doctors, nurses, private individuals from the cities of Iloilo, Isabela and Lamitan — the day was full of excitement; many went for the first time.

Plying the coastlines of Basilan, the ugly brownish sights of coconuts infested with coconut scale insect astound us with sorrow that our farmers are suffering. This contrasted the aqua-bluish shores of Pintasan, lifting our spirits in consolation that somehow people have alternative means of livelihood in the bounty of the sea.

Hundreds welcomed the team; some had been waiting for three hours already hoping to get served first. Getting off and on the long shores were quite challenging as there was no wharf or make-shift platform to keep our feet and shoes from getting wet.

Assistance from the troops of the 4th Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army, headed by LtCol. Andrew Bacala Jr, was of great help and eased the journey and hauling of goods.

It amazes one to see how volunteers sustained the energy of serving the underprivileged communities in Basilan, in spite of going through a difficult journey to the area. It never wears and tears the spirit even after the mission.

The head of mission, Ms. Isabel Grace P. Villegas said that it brought the volunteers so much joy that one could not explain. The volunteers were from the Iloilo Medical Team of the Kayang-Kayang Missions International Inc. that reaches out to unreached tribes and groups in the Philippines that has been deprived of government services because of circumstances, like conflict and issues of governance.

She explained that it was plain and genuine volunteerism as all of the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and counselor volunteers have even spent for their fares to come to Basilan. According to her, these volunteers have expressed their intention and willingness to go to Basilan to help the needy and less fortunate communities, like the MNLF village of Pintasan in Mohammad Ajul.

About 300 residents of Pintasan and few from nearby barangays have benefited from the civic and medical mission with free haircut offered by the army, psycho-social games and magic show, and other activities from Lamitan Jaycees Inc.

Sumptuous meal was prepared by the local barangay of Pintasan and shared with the community. It was during this moment of pleasantries with the locals and the conversations with Mohammad Ajul Mayor Aya I. Pawaki that more stories about the aspirations of the people were shared and revealed. One could sense her passion and sincerity to offer genuine change that this government under the Duterte administration has promised.

The mayor has been lamenting over government’s slow and seemingly hopeless response to the issue of IRA-less towns in Basilan. Mohammad Ajul is one of the municipalities created by the ARMM Regional legislative Body that has no Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) because of legitimacy issues. She said that she has been lobbying to authorities and even to Congress to address this concern. The ARMM and the provincial government, however, are giving subsidies to these IRA-less towns. Mayor Pawaki said they are grateful for this support but this sends a message that we owe are at the mercy of their generosity rather than a right of the people of Moh. Ajul.

Time was not enough for more stories from the mayor. But she expressed her gladness for the short conversation on her vision, advocacy, and plans for Mohammad Ajul, from improving the peace and order situation to providing more livelihood opportunities for her constituents.

At the exit conference, Mayor Pawaki thanked the volunteers who came to bring services to the people. She hoped that this mission will inspire more government agencies to visit other villages of Mohammad Ajul to see and feel for themselves the situation of the community, hoping to erase any doubts, fear and stigma about the area for several years now. In the past, conflict between ideological groups and government forces enveloped the town, then later by lawless elements.

Safety issues remains to be the major concern of visitors, volunteers and government agencies to do mission in the area. The role of the army’s 4th Special Forces remains vital to changing the paradigm of doing military work in Basilan.

This elite force of soldiers in the army engaged in fierce battles with lawless elements and terrorists until recent years; but these same men and women employ means and strategies to mend broken relationships and build back peoples’ confidence and trust to government. They were instrumental in bringing in volunteers, groups, and charitable institutions in recent years that helped change the face of Basilan.

As more people visit Basilan, more stories of hope and aspiration could be spread that may in turn bring positive results and development in Mohammad Ajul. The mission left the town with gladness and joy with stories of hope that they helped nurture because of their show of love to the people.

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1002935