Rody urges Basilan residents: Invest in education, health

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday urged Basilan residents to invest in education and health so they can lift themselves out of poverty.

Duterte was in Lamitan City to distribute farm and fishing implements and inputs to at least 400 beneficiaries.

He promised to make education and health services accessible to residents and provide stable power supply to the island province.

“If you do not invest in the education of your children even just for paper and pencil, they won’t be able to leave Basilan and venture into the outside world. Education is the key to your children’s success,” Duterte said.

He asked for the total number of secondary schools in the province and said he wanted to put additional high schools there.

The President vowed to upgrade the local hospitals and he will direct Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial to look into the health services in Basilan. 

He asked about the province’s power supply and hinted on the possibility of establishing a renewable energy source by tapping the sea current.

Duterte asked the residents to give him more time for the implementation of government assistance for them.

“I will make sure that the funds will really reach you,” he said, adding he will personally monitor the fund disbursement. 

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol assisted the President during the turnover of seven tractors and 70 fiberglass bancas and fishing nets at the Lamitan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (LARBECO) in Barangay Limook. 

The beneficiaries also received sacks of rice and corn seed, as well as fertilizer.

In jest, the President told the beneficiaries that he might as well give them dynamite, but reminded them that dynamite fishing is prohibited.