Military celebrates Labor Day in the southernmost part of the Philippines

 PAGADIAN CITY (May 2, 2021) – Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. together with other military officials commemorated Labor Day in Tawi-Tawi.

Following their arrival in Tawi-Tawi on April 30 (Friday), Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. joined the troops of the 2nd Marine Brigade during the distribution of food packs at the Central Mosque in Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

“In partnership with the Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, we distributed a total of 750 food packs prepared by the local government of Tawi-Tawi and marine troops of 2nd Marine Brigade for our Muslim brothers and sisters who are fulfilling their obligation to fast during the holy month of Ramadan,” said Lt. Gen, Vinluan, Jr.

The WestMinCom Commander also took time to pay a courtesy call on the governor of Tawi-Tawi, Hon. Yshmael Sali still at the Central Mosque.

During their conversation, Gov. Sali commended the sterling leadership of JTF Tawi-Tawi/2nd Marine Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas and the resolve of the marine troopers to sustain the peace in Tawi-Tawi.

Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. expressed his gratitude to the provincial and local government officials of Tawi-Tawi for their unwavering support to the military’s thrusts.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. graced the inauguration of the newly established Jade’s Bajau Learning Center, Inc. (JBLCI) in Panguan Island, Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi on May 1.

The said learning center is initiated by a non-profit organization, in partnership with the 2nd Marine Brigade, which aims to deliver quality equitable culture-based basic education that is rightfully available for all in order to lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and service for the common good. It was established on the island barangay in April 2021.

According to Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi/2nd Marine Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, with the help of the 2nd Marine Brigade troopers, the first JBLCI was established in Barangay Lamion, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi in 2015.

“Through the strengthened collaboration with our partners and stakeholders, we were able to facilitate the expansion of the learning center to this island municipality,” said Brig. Gen. Rojas.

During his message, Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. said, “I am personally happy because the children here will now have a more conducive area for education. Rest assured that we will always keep the area safe and secured.”

“To the parents, encourage your children to study for them to have a brighter future,” the commander added.

The ribbon-cutting was spearheaded by Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. together with the founders of JBLCI Administrators Mr. Eleazar Erana and Mrs. Ma. Leonor Blanco-Erana.

Mr. Erana, in her statement, said that "the men and women in uniform have been their partners in the humanitarian services since 2010".

“When we were conducting humanitarian activities in the province, we saw that the province also needs educational aid so together with the marines and our other partners and donors we established the first school building in Lamion. To the people of Sitangkai, this school is for you. We want to help the youth here to at least finish high school. Do utilize this for the common good,” Mr. Erana added.

After the inauguration, Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. met with the local government officials of Sitangkai led by Mayor Hji. Tiblan Ahaja. They discussed the best practices that led to the sustainability of peace in the island municipality.

Sitangkai is known as the “Venice of the Philippines” due to the use of boats as primary transportation.

The WestMinCom Commander also paid a courtesy call on Sibutu Mayor Alshefa Pajiji.

The islands of the municipalities of Sitangkai and Sibutu had been at the crossroads of the sea trade route and were a traditional enclave of the Bajau and Sama people.

During his visit to Tawi-Tawi, Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. was accompanied by Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Ariel Caculitan, JTF Tawi-Tawi Commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, WestMinCom Deputy Commander for Admin Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, and the WestMinCom Command Staff. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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