BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi- “I shall continue to implement all the
programs and projects that we have stated for the good people of
Tawi-Taw. This is my unfinished mission. This is will be my direction to
bring peace and prosperity to our beloved province,” newly elected Tawi-Tawi
provincial governor Rashidin H. Matba said during his oath-taking ceremonies
held last June 30, Thursday here.
Matba was officially sworn into the highest post along
with some elected officials before TRC judge Abdulmoin Pakkam and
witnessed by throng of friends and supporters during the inaugural rites at Kasulutan
beach resort building, his temporary seat of office.
The young Matba is the son of the late former undefeated
provincial governor Hajiri Gerry Matba, considered the legendary leader of the
province after it was declared a separate province apart from the Sulu mainland
archipelago during the 70s. She is married to former Agusan del Sur,
Congresswoman and now Governor Angelica Amante Matba.
Matba won overwhelmingly in the May 9, 2016 hotly
contested but peaceful elections for the gubernatorial seat over the incumbent
governor Norbert Sahali by a margin of more than 17 thousand votes. He ran as
the province’s standard-bearer under the National United Party (NUP).
Briefly, Matba served as elected governor in 2004 and
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Assemblyman in—with “flying
colors” that benefited a lot his constituents though his innovative and dynamic
leadership style which endeared him in the hearts of his people.
In his short inaugural speech, Matba expressed his plans
and vision for the Tawi-Tawi people even as he emphasized to work for the
continuity of his past accomplishments.
“As governor whom you elected last election, subay natuh
harapun iban tukuhun in maksud ta niyu katan para ha kasambuhan sin amba raayat
iban kahatulan iban kasanyangan sin hulah natuh, Tawi-Tawi,” Matba stressed.
A comprehensive local executive agenda, which he has
started during his stint as governor were centred on addressing basic needs of
his constituent through responsive socio-economic services, livelihood, to
include agriculture and fisheries development and cultural uplift; providing
power supply and water systems, infrastructure development, information and
promotion of tourism, trade and business opportunities, health services,
environment protection and conservation, establish security, peace and order,
accountability, good governance and professionalism.
Matba vowed to continue these programs, which are needed
with the help of the various sectors of the communities in the different
municipalities, the religious, academe, business sectors and other stakeholders
along with the NGOs and People’s Organizations.
After 12 years, Governor Matba was catapulted to power to
serve at the helm of the provincial government in the next 3 years immediately
assumed office on the same day as mandated by the Constitution. Gov. Matba was
only 30 when elected as Chief Executive of the province accompanied by hundreds
of supporters led by incumbent and re-electionist Provincial Vice-Governor
Michail “Tati” K. Ahaja.
Gov. Matba toured the provincial capitol building and met
with province’s officials and employees who warmly welcome him with hugs and
hands shakes amid cheers of felicitation as he reached their respective
offices. He was later briefed by his newly appointed provincial administrator
Hadji Titing Usman, Human Resource Development Officer Prof. Eddie Alih and the
Provincial Planning Development Officer, Wahab Bakil.
Earlier, sympathizers had also welcome him upon his
arrival at the Sanga-Sanga airport terminal and accorded him appropriate honor
as a show of their courtesy support.
Military and police officials likewise, took time out to
give the new governor their due courtesy and respect escorted him to the venues
of the event.
Meanwhile, Matba has appealed for support from all
sectors in order to fast tract implementation of all the development projects
which are also in line with newly assumed President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
administration’s platforms. (bfcs)
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