Hataman

Basilan to invest in agri, fisheries – Hataman

February 8, 2023 Ryan Ponce Pacpaco 281 views

BASILAN is moving to invest more in agriculture and fisheries as Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman have filed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to establish a tertiary educational institution that aims to develop the two most important sectors in attaining food security.

“Agriculture and fisheries are two of the main sources of livelihood for Basileños. A college that specializes in these two sectors will greatly benefit not only the citizens of Basilan, but the economy of the whole province as well,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said.

He filed House Bill (HB) No. 7085, which seeks to establish the Basilan Agriculture and Fisheries College and enable students from Basilan to study the latest trends and new technologies in agriculture and fisheries.

“Yamang lupa at yamang dagat ang isa sa pinakamadaling pagyamanin na kabuhayan dito sa aming lalawigan. Kaya marapat lamang na ito ang aming pagtuunan ng focus at makatulong sa pag-angat ng aming lalawigan,” he said.

According to the measure, the state college “shall primarily provide technical and professional training in sciences, arts, teacher education, agriculture, engineering and technology, fisheries, food technology, nutrition, as well as short-term vocational courses.”

“It shall likewise promote research, advanced studies, and academic leadership in the stated areas of specialization,” HB 7085 read.

It shall be governed by a Board of Trustees composed of 11 individuals and chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

It shall also have the President of the College as vice chair and the chairs of the committees on education and higher technical education of the Senate and the House, respectively, as two of the Trustees.

The rest of the board shall be composed of: the Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority; the Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education of BARMM; the President of the alumni association; the President of the faculty association; the Chairperson of the supreme student council; and two prominent citizens of Isabela City or of the Province of Basilan.

The Board of Trustees shall have the power to establish the following: an Institute of General Education Studies, a School of Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, a School of Forestry and Environmental Science, a School of Engineering and Technology, a School of Education, a School of Business, a School of Veterinary Medicine, a School of Food Technology and Nutrition, an Indigenous Arts and Crafts Institute, and other schools and departments as the Board may deem necessary.

“Bukod sa agriculture and fisheries, hiling sana namin ay mag-offer din ng ibang mga courses ang kolehiyong ito para mas maraming option ang aming mag-aaral sa propesyon na nais nilang pasukin,” Hataman said.

“Edukasyon ay isang magandang legacy na maiiwan ng mga magulang para sa kanilang mga anak. Ang panukalang ito ay makakatulong sa pag-abot sa mga pangarap ng mga Basileño,” Hataman said.

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