Vice President Leni Robredo took a boat that weaved through mangrove-lined waters to reach the remote community of Brgy. Marang Marang in Isabela City, Basilan on Thursday, March 17.
She was the first presidential candidate ever to visit the picturesque fishing village of a little more than 2,000 people. Robredo said she had wanted to visit for a while, as she had long heard of the beauty of the place.
“Sobrang ganda, sobrang ganda ng inyong lugar na tingin po natin, ‘yung mga kababayan natin na naghahanap ng bagong pupuntahan, grabe talaga ‘yung makikita sa Basilan (This place is very beautiful. Our countrymen can visit Basilan if they are looking for a beautiful place to go),” she said, noting that tourism can help the livelihood of residents
Women make up half the population in the village, and Robredo spoke to them directly.
“Alam natin na ‘yung kultura ng mga Pilipino, ‘yung mga kalalakihan ‘yung laging naghahanapbuhay. Pero hindi po gustong sabihin na wala tayong puwedeng gawin habang naiiwan tayo sa ating mga bahay (In our culture, the men are the ones who work, but it does mean that we cannot do something while we are at home), ” she said, adding that one of her programs is to look for ways to help the women of the village through livelihood programs.
Robredo is also urging residents in Basilan to help maintain and sustain the province’s image as a haven for peace and an attractive tourist spot. She said she was impressed with the improvement in the province, citing the people could not go on beaches and bikers could freely go on trips passing through the circumferential road.
“We dream that this situation will continue so that our fellowmen will be enticed to visit and see the beauty of your province,” she said, adding that “the economy of the province will improve as well as your standard of living once many tourists are visiting here,” she added.
She said she has implemented different projects in Basilan, such as the cloth-weaving center in Lamitan City and solar freezer for the fisherfolk. She was accompanied by Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, where she conducted a dialogue with the community on Thursday morning in Brgy. Marang Marang. With Rio N. Araja