MINDANAO CLOSE TO THE HEARTS OF MIDDLE EAST

The Mindanao Chambers of Commerce sent a full delegation of businessmen representing all the major cities and provinces of the island to the recently concluded 34^th Philippine Business Conference held in Manila Hotel. Perhaps, because of our distance from Manila; it is always with great anticipation that we look forward to hearing Pres. Arroyo’s speech during the closing ceremonies. And we would listen intently whether the President would drop a word or two about Mindanao. And for the past many years; she never fails to do so.

Shock Absorbers of the Economy

This year her speech focused on the measures being undertaken by the country to cushion the impact of the recession in the United States. She elaborated that the Philippines has a number of shock absorbers. Among them are our solid banking system; our projected expatriate inflows was 10% growth; but actual growth so far is 18%. Even if the American economy would sink, the expatriates in that part of the world are in sectors that are less sensitive to recession. These are the teachers, nurses, information technology related workers and caregivers.

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector will balance off the slow growth in merchandise exports. In addition, pump priming will happen in many sectors and industry; more so in agriculture, housing, infrastructure, lending support to small and medium sized businesses.

Middle East Relationship to Mindanao

Pres. Arroyo said that the “ Arab engine is up due to the past five years of costly oil. This is has led to the construction boom in the Middle East and a surge of remittances.

What really caught our attention was when she said “, In addition, the fact that the Philippines has a Mindanao close to the hearts of the Middle East, opens up opportunities not only for Mindanao but for the entire country.”

One of the markets that Mindanao has not fully developed is the Middle East, with its countries known not only for their “black gold” but also for their modern infrastructure facilities.

Opportunities for Mindanao

In recent years, the Middle East, most notably the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Dubai, has risen to greater heights in terms of investments. However, it was only recently though that Mindanao has slowly gained access to the Middle East markets.

Based on the report of the Bureau of Customs in Davao, the Middle East, in September, collectively brought about $5.763 million in goods from the region, the third among the top 10 countries that were destinations of exports from the region, next only to Japan and Malaysia.

For the Middle East, the bulk of its imports from the Davao Region during the period was fresh bananas with a value of $4.893 million with a volume of 17.758 million metric tons. The figure even excluded the banana imported by the United Arab Emirates which had a value of $447,521.

Even the controversial Iran rose to the fifth position with a value of $4.975 million, or 28.625 million metric tons of goods from the Davao Region, particularly fresh fruits like papaya and pineapple.

The figures would have been bigger had the figures from other regions were available. Nevertheless, the figures were already indicative that the Middle East markets have started taking notice of Mindanao as a big producer of products that its people need particularly as a supplier of food and fruits.

POSSIBLE INVESTMENTS FOR PEACE

Another notable development was the visit of a technical team from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia whose task was to find areas where they can invest. The seven member team, headed by Ahmed M. AlSadhan of the kingdom’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, arrived in Davao City late last month. They proceeded to Mati City, the capital of Davao Oriental, to discuss with Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon the possibility of investing in rice and corn production. Gov. Malanyaon and Mati City Mayor Marie Michelle Denise Rabat gladly briefed the visitors about the province.

The development is one good start for people of Mindanao, particularly its leaders, to consider looking into intensifying trade between the island and the Middle East. People in Mindanao, particularly its local government and business leaders, should start discussing with leaders of the countries within the Middle East region on where they can invest to help the island fully develop its potentials.

Known for their help in achieving peace in Mindanao as most of these countries are members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). This is the body that has facilitated peace talks between the Moro rebel groups and the government. I believe they are also interested in helping Mindanao develop into one big producer of the products that they will need – from food, hand made toys, gifts and house wares, furniture’s and furnishings and even in the area of medical , cultural adventure and eco-tourism.

Middle East would be one of the best trading partners of Mindanao not only in business but more importantly in peace and development.

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)

MINDANAO BUSINESS: BULLISH AND UPBEAT (2ND of 2 Parts)

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BUSINESS AS USUAL IN BASILAN

For years, Basilan was considered a dangerous province in Mindanao because many have the perception that danger lurks in its every corner.

But then, organizers of the 4^th Zamboanga Peninsula Business Conference decided to hold these two day event, which took place last April 25-27, 2008 in the province with the main objective of highlighting both its investment and tourism potentials.

The event, considered the largest gathering of members of the business sector of Western Mindanao showed what the province has to offer for investment and tourism. There were over 102 participants coming from the chambers of commerce and industry of the cities of Dipolog, Zamboanga, Ozamiz, Pagadian and Basilan.

On its first day, a special session was conducted at the Isabela City Council Session Hall with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Philippine Chamber Development Institute as the main discussant on private-public sector partnership.

The opening ceremonies at the Juan S. Alano Compound's Julio Amphitheater was hosted by the city of Isabela where guests were treated to a banquet called “Pesong Kaam”, a Yakan term for welcome.

Main Business of the Day

Tackled during the summit of business men were sessions that discussed corporate social responsibility among companies, linkages between business and government; global trading and financial development for Mindanao. There were also representatives from Australian Aid’s Enterprise Challenge Fund and USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao who spoke about development oriented projects that the business sector can avail of.

The joint meeting of the of the Isabela City Small & Medium Enterprise Development Council (ICSMEDC) and the One Town, One Product Technical Working Group also took place with the desire of strengthening the partnership among government agencies and the city's private sector.

Yakan Crafts and Wares

The partnership with the Basilan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. and the Isabela City Tourism Office and the Department of Trade and Industry – Isabela City and the Alano Group of Companies led to the inauguration of the Isabela City Pasalubong Center . The center was a show room of Isabela City's products, specifically the Yakan crafts and weaves, bamboo appliances and furniture and hand-woven mats. These are used in home furnishings which are at times featured in architectural magazines. If you want to get them for a bargain price; its time to go to Isabela.

The Isabela City Exposition and the Annual Isabela City Agro-Industrial Fair was opened with City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos Akbar leading the event held at the Plaza Rizal. Supporting the trade exposition were the delegations from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga delNorte, as well as local producers' associations and local craft and livelihood organizations showcasing their products.

The Business Students of Isabela

To highlight the important role of the young and future entrepreneurs , the 1st Zamboanga Peninsula-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Business Camp for Business students of the different public and private tertiary educational institutions was held at the Juan S. Alano Memorial School, Inc.

The students were from the cities of Isabela and Lamitan, Zamboanga and Dipolog. The event also held a series of plenary sessions on entrepreneurship handled by the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. – Asosasyon ng mga Nagkakaisang Kabataan tungo sa Pag-unlad at Kapayapaan and the Metro Basilan Junior Jaycees (MBJJCs).

Now who says life and business is dull in Basilan?

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August will be very busy month for the academe and the tourism industry of Mindanao. Davao City will be the host of the largest gathering of technical vocational schools, labor and business leaders all over the island. The 7^th Mindanao Human Resource and Skills Development Forum will be held on August 6-8, 2008 at the Mandaya Hotel. This years theme is “Beyong Borders. Meeting the Challenges of Change”. The main organizers is the Mindanao TVET Association and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

The biggest tourism and travel exposition; the 3^rd Mindanao Travel and Trade Expo will be on August 8-10,2008 at the Shoemart Entertainment Center. This year’s theme is “Barkadahan sa Octo-break” and this will be participated by the Local Government Units of Mindanao, the Department of Tourism Regional Offices and Travel and Tour Operators

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Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)

SAILING THE BIMP EAGA SEAS

The sea linkage between two trading points, or among several others, is very important considering that this is needed in hastening the movement of goods and products at a lower cost. Businessmen and traders will always want lower transportation cost.

I notice that while much has been taking place in the air linkages within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP) East Asean Growth Area (EAGA) in an effort to facilitate tourism promotion, the sea linkage proposals have not improved that much despite the signing of two memoranda of agreement last year among the four countries.

INITIATIVES

Based on the report of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, as a result of the meeting in April in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, there was no significant movement in the sea linkages among the four countries.

However, the report mentioned some "flagship programs and projects" that the top officials of the four countries were considering,

Among others, the report cited the discussion on a proposal for a tariff reduction of the roll-on roll-off ship operation between Zamboanga and Sandakan, Malaysia. In that meeting, Philippine representatives wanted the Philippines and Malaysian governments to enter into a bilateral arrangements that will reduce port tariffs for their ports. For Malaysia, the agreement will be implemented in its Sandakan port.

The Philippines also requested that the ship be accommodated at a roll-on-roll off terminal.

SOLE LINKAGE and OTHER INITIATIVES

Today there is only the Zamboanga-Sandakan shipping route that is being served by two Zamboanga City-based companies, the Aleson Shipping Lines and the Sampaguita Shipping Lines.

The servicing of the General Santos City-Bitung, Indonesia route has been suspended.

The implementation of a memorandum of understanding on the "establishment and promoting efficient integrated sea linkages" was also one of the key points being explored. The officials for the four countries raised the issue of updating one another on the development of port facilities including the privatization of some of them. This is necessary because this will allow each of them to come up with their respective plans on sea linkages, taking into consideration the viability of using the ports of their trading partners.

The representative of the Asian Development Bank, the sub-regional advisor, was tasked to update the four countries on the pre-investment study that would identify the "shortfall in ports performance and capacity among the designated BIMP EAGA gateway ports and develop project priorities for bridging the performance and capacity gaps as mandated by the BIMP EAGA MoU on Sea Linkages."

There is so much has to be done to improve sea linkages and that it will take much time and political will for all the stakeholders , both government and private sector to make these sea linkages sustainable. Volume of traffic , both passengers and goods have to be present. More business activities have to be created.

I share the optimism of those who are involved in these endeavor , taking note of their efforts in promoting trade among the four countries.

As a leader of the Mindanao business sector, it is also my desire to see that every plan, big or small, finally takes shape to realize the dream of making the sub-region one big borderless economy.

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments joji@jojiilagancareercenter.com

FLYING THE EAGA SKIES

Today, tourism is one of the key sectors that the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (EAGA) is given much emphasis. Not only because it increases people and business mobility but it is one of the fastest means of ensuring that intra regional cooperation and linkages will actually happen on the ground.

The Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) reported during the 14^th anniversary of the sub-regional group that several air linkages were being opened or on the discussion tables.

Among these linkages are the flights between Zamboanga and Sandakan which is being served by the Asian Spirit; and Malaysia’s Air Asia which flies from Kuching, Malaysia to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Several other airlines are also looking into possibly servicing other viable routes.

The attempt to establish air and sea linkages fits well into the desire of the four countries to intensify travel and tourism between and among them and encourage more business exchanges. But more importantly, the cost of travel must be reasonable and affordable for both business and tourism so that activities within the region will flourish.

There is a need for all the airlines to study their fare structure very carefully and to ensure competitiveness or else people from the regions will not be motivated to travel either for business or tourism. Budget fares can easily result to greater number of cultural and student exchanges; businessmen visiting theareas to explore what they can do together; more tourists shopping, eating and spending their money.

New Air Route

Just last week, Indonesia’s Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air, has started its chartered flight between Davao City and Manado, a route that has been abandoned so many times because of very thin traffic.

This time the Indonesian government will exert efforts to help sustain the service by bringing in greater volume of goods from Manado, Indonesia. Indonesian Consul Gen. Lalu Malik Partawana who is based in Davao City informed us that his office will exert all efforts to support the new air route.

I am now in Bali, Indonesia enjoying the week with my family. I could had flown directly from Davao; if there was a much easier air routes and cheaper fares. But since there was none; we decided to fly from Singapore.

This is what I had discussed with the Consul when I visited him in his office in Davao City; that we should make the air linkages work this time; and this can be done by creating activities that would bring about movement of people from the Davao to Manado and other Indonesian cities and provinces. And rates of travel is a critical issue – it can be a deterrent if priced wrongly and a strong motivator if the cost is just right.

Fifth Freedom Rights

Load cargo has always been the problem in traveling in the sub-regional destinations. This is the factor that prompted the four countries to declare the implementation of the fifth freedom rights so that airline companies can service destinations within the sub-region outside of their assigned destination.

The four countries even approved the “multiple designation of airlines with no restriction on frequency and capacity” and the “adoption of sub-regional multilateral agreement on common airport tariffs,” hoping that this will trigger the travel intensity among the peoples of the sub-region and those that are visiting its beautiful tourist spots.

What Needs to be Done

Having been actively involved in the promotion of this sub-regional group in the past, I believe that air linkages are very much necessary if the four countries, or their designated areas in the sub-region. They can pushed budget airlines to look into servicing the routes between and among them. This will not only heighten the trade relations among the participants, but would even pave the way for them as a group to look for a bigger trading partner like China or Japan.

This is also very important to the tourism sector, especially now that the industry is looking into promoting itself as one big destination to tourists particularly Europeans who love to travel for days to several destinations. The linkages will serve as a come-on for these travelers to consider the BIMP countries as a single destination within the sub-region.

There is a need to massively promote successful partnerships or business ventures; initiatives and exchanges, cultural and educational linkages that is worth talking about. All of these must be brought up in the open so that the EAGA excitement will again be in everyone’s heart!

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)

DAVAO LIGHT AND DABAWENYOS- FORMIDABLE PARTNERS

While politicians and various sectors in Metro Manila are trading barbs over the high power rates, Davao City has been blessed with the best power utility. Davao Light and Power Company is the third largest privately-owned electric utility in the Philippines. It holds the franchise for distributing electric power to Davao City, the largest city in the world in terms of land area, as well as Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte.

In 2007, the company sold 1.331 billion kilowatt-hours to 247,341 customers with a peak demand of 245 megawatts (MW). And while these experts and politicians were trying to go deeper into the so-called systems losses, our power utility here is surprisingly registering systems loss below what the government allows. Based on the data obtained from the company, its systems loss was at 8.8 percent, way below the 9.5% percent that government allows.

Systems loss is defined as energy loss due to technical problems and to pilferage. Under the law, a power utility whose systems loss goes beyond 9.5% is restricted to pass it on to consumers.

Davao Light maintains a 54.7 MW standby diesel power plant, operated as needed to stabilize voltage as well as augment the power supply of its primary generating sources. It makes use of a fully functional automated mapping and facilities management (AM/FM) system to track the location of electric distribution assets in its 3,561 square kilometer franchise. Also in place is a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, a facility that allows remote real-time data gathering and control of equipment in all power substations.

High-end computers, sophisticated software, and other devices are being used to speed up meter reading, streamline billing, provide efficient and prompt response to customer inquiries, generate management information, and analyze electrical grid information .

In anticipation for the increase in demand of power within its service areas, the company has also signed with sister company Hedcor Inc. an agreement that will allow it to buy power produced from the power plants of the latter in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

and those that it will build in Suawan, Tamugan and Panigan in the hinterland of the city.

And until late last month, the main man behind the company was a young and energetic executive known for his humility and candidness. Luis Alfonso Y. Aboitiz, known to friends as “AL” who at the time of his death was at the helm of the company’s operations .

In the past when the power firm would petitioned for increases; Al would do the explaining himself instead of turning over the responsibility to his subordinates. Armed with his power point presentation, Al would patiently discuss the issues on hand to the business sector and leaders of progressive organizations . He would answer every question even those irrelevant ones.

Under his leadership, the company was also known as among the leaders in corporate social responsibility work, having done so many community-related activities from education, health and enterprise development for the people within its service area.

But one achievement that Al was always proud of is the city’s emergency system which is the Central 911 which was patterned after the US and Canada.

The project was conceptualized in collaboration with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte using the Electronic Computer Aided Dispatch system of the power utility in responding to distress calls . Today, 911 is Davao’s partner in saving lives.

His untimely death not only meant a lot to his family and his company but also to the city which has benefited from his leadership. This maybe late but this column extends its condolences to the family that Al left behind. He will be remembered well by all Dabawenyos.

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)

ALL IT TAKES IS POLITICAL WILL

I always take pride in saying that it is only in Davao where you can literally say that the environment is smoke free and the new year celebration is noise-free.

Two of the most successfully implemented local laws in the city of Davao are the banning of firecrackers and pyrotechnics and the banning of smoking in public places.

Passed in 2002, the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance was an improvisation of a previous ordinance of the city which banned smoking in passenger vehicles plying the city route.

In this five-year old ordinance, the city government specifically identifies where the smoking is banned. These places include passenger vehicles in the city; accommodation and entertainment establishments like restaurants, bars, movie houses, hotels and places where people meet; government offices; parks and other places “controlled exclusively for public purposes by government agencies.”

The ordinance also specifically orders business establishments to set up their smoking zones which must be air-conditioned, at most about ¼ of the total accommodation area of the establishment, must have an exhaust fan, and must be separate from where smoking is prohibited.

Fines and Punishments

Under the ordinance, violators face the fine of between P500 to P2,000 or an imprisonment of between one to six months or both, depending on the discretion of the court.

Those establishments found violating the ordinance face the danger of being closed down.

This particular ordinance was passed even before the national government could implement its version, the Tobacco Regulations Act of 2003, better known as Republic Act 9211.

Despite the strong support of the citizenry, there were also many establishments and vendors who raised howl over the implementation of the ordinance citing the negative impact it will have on their businesses. Even the tourism groups were not supportive of the ordinance at first reasoning that this would discourage tourists from visiting the city.

The city government did not waver and after a time , the Dabawenyos appreciated the benefits of such ordinance and learned to live with it.

Several local government units in the country and in foreign countries have emulated the city by passing their own anti-smoking ordinances. In several discussion groups, the city earned praises from the other local government units who saw that its implementation was really intended to protect the welfare of the residents.

A QUIET NEW YEAR

Also passed in 2002, the Ordinance No. 060-02 is an ordinance that prohibits “the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers and other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City.”

The ordinance came about after Mayor Rodrigo Duterte realized that firecracker explosion during holidays, particularly during the Yuletide season, caused not only injuries on reckless residents but also on hapless individuals and that the fire crackers can even cause fire in so some instances.

This prompted the mayor to ask the city council to eventually pass the ordinance complete with the penalty clause.

Under the provision, someone who commits the offense for the first time faces a P1,000 fine or an imprisonment of between 20 days to a month or both depending on the discretion of the court.

Second time offenders face a stiffer penalty of P3,000 fine or imprisonment of between one month to three months, or both. Recidivists, however, face a larger fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of between three to six months.

Since the passage of the ordinance, hospitals in the city have been free of injuries caused by firecracker explosion and that the Bureau of Fire Protection reported no fire due to pyrotechnics.

Last Yuletide season, however, about 100 city residents, most of them young boys, were arrested for firecracker blasts. The number was higher compared with the previous years since the start of the implementation of the ordinance in 2002.

The increase in number of arrested residents came about after Mayor Duterte dangled a P1,000 bounty for those who could identify anyone exploding firecrackers in their neighborhoods.

Last year, some local government units have expressed their desire to regulate firecracker explosions, some of them have even proposed of emulating the city by passing a similar law despite the opposition of some individuals who peddle these destructive explosives.

The city’s successes in these two and other ordinances have made it one of the most recognized local government units not just in the country but in the world.

All it really takes is strong and consistent political will and a constituency that respects the law.

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the island. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation , Phil. Call Centers Alliance, Mindanaeso Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)

SULU’S RESPONSE TO GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS

From well-oiled automatic rifles and smoke grenades, the Tausogs in Luuk, Sulu are now arming themselves for a different kind of war – a battle for full stomach and patience – to win over the scourge of poverty where it breeds terrorism.

Security officials in the country has been alarmed by the reality of food shortage that triggered riots erupting worldwide and is now gauging the security implications of the crucial rice and food situation in the country.

The Tausogs in this island of more than half a million Muslims are armed not with weapons, but farm implements battling to save themselves from the looming food crisis the country is facing.

Luuk, which literally means, ”low elevation”, was established in 1918 when Maas Kamlon, a very famous Tausog warrior fought against the government. The province is among the poorest provinces in the country and registered with the lowest human development index. It lagged behind in terms of economic development and the people here lived in a lonely island of poverty but ironically in the midst of a vast ocean of natural resources.

Agricultural Revolution

The Tausugs are now in the midst of what they call an agricultural revolution and are planting hundred of hectares of farms with cassava, corn and vegetable.

People here are now conscious enough and know very well the consequences, that if eventually supplies of imported of rice will decrease and will come in trickles, they can always eat cassava as an alternative.

Because they consider cassava as their staple instead of rice, the farmers are able to slowly cushion the impact of the soaring rice prices.

The local government led by Mayor Abdurahman Arbison, together with his Father and the entire government, rallied the people to engage in livelihood projects by tilling their lands and planting them with cassava and other crops, Arbison said that in the advent of a global rice shortage, people in Sulu need not to worry anymore, as they can always go back to their staple which is cassava and since they have an abundance of it ; they can even export it if needed.

Aside from planting essentials, fisher folks at its coastal area here are also concentrating on lobsters (tiger) and groupers (lapu-lapu) culture at sea.

The only fishpond in Sulu is found in this coastal town; and employs people from Iloilo in the Visayas (Ilongos). They manned the fishpond and at the same time teach bangus culture to the locals.

Ilongo’s are known in the Visayas to be industrious and are experts in cultivating fresh water seafoods to include tilapia and sugpo(prawns), however, the Tausogs are not used to eat fresh water fish but is now learning and beginning to like it.

Developments in Sulu

Access roads to near by municipalities connecting to the center town are now under construction and are to be operational before the end of this year. Roads to this areas before it was concreted, were not accessible due to big holes, mud -like soil and boulders of rocks.

Leisure Park, a few hundred meters away from the Tanduh Batu Port which is also adjacent to more than a kilometer from the Boulevard by the Sea is nearing completion.

When operational the park’s centerpiece is a Water Fountain complete with colored light bulbs that will illuminate the rolling and sprouting water above 12 feet from the ground.

The lighted Boulevard by the Sea has a walkway in the side of the riff-raff shoulders to accommodate early morning joggers and sunset lovers who are expected to troop the area.

Opposite the boulevard will rise a Sports Complex complete with Basketball and Tennis Courts with many indoor games.

More commercial stalls around the area will be built in uniform models to accommodate goods and products to be sold at bottom low prices that will showcase native and indigenous products.

Sulu had hosted the visit of two heads of states, two (2) Philippine Presidents, Pres. Gloria Arroyo and Former Pres. Joseph Estrada ; and the son of the Great Libyan-Arab Jamahiriya Col. Muammar Khadafi.

Personally, Sulu is one of the areas in Mindanao that continues to attract me . I know so many business people that would really want to go and explore Sulu and see for themselves the economic progress that is now happening. Do it. Now is the time.

(My thanks to fellow MIndanaoan Mr. Ed General of MindaNews for the information in this column)

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the island. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation , Phil. Call Centers Alliance, Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)