FOR his first act as the reelected representative of the lone district of Basilan, Congressman Mujiv Hataman has filed four priority local bills intended to ensure the development and welfare of his constituents by promoting the areas of healthcare, education, and livelihood.

Also, Hataman formally filed the resolution seeking a congressional review of the Hajj coordination program of the government because of the delays and drawbacks suffered by Filipino Muslim pilgrims this year.

“Sa ating ikalawang termino bilang kinatawan ng Basilan, ating tututukan ang kalusugan, karunungan at kabuhayan ng mga Basileños. Ipagpapatuloy natin ang magandang nasimulan noong 18th Congress,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), declared.

“Nakabangon na mula sa masamang imahe ng terorismo ang Basilan. At nagsimula nang mabuhay muli ang ekonomiya at turismo ng aming lalawigan. Kailangan lang nating sabayan ang pag-unlad ng mga mamamayan ng mga karampatang panukala na susuporta sa kanilang pag-angat,” he added.

The four bills include measures that call for establishing a Basilan Medical Center, a Basilan Science High School, a multi-species hatchery in Isabela City, and a Basilan Sports Academy, as embodied in House Bills No. 1057, 1058, 1059, and 1060, respectively.

“Ipaglalaban natin na mapalaki at mapalakas ang mga ospital sa Basilan, una na dito ang conversion ng Basilan General Hospital para maging Basilan Medical Center: mas malaki, mas makabago, at mas maraming karamdaman ang maaaring malunasan, kasama na ang mga malulubhang sakit,” Hataman said.

“Nakita namin ang hirap ng walang pagamutan na kayang gamutin ang malubhang mga sakit. Kailangan pang bumiyahe papuntang Zamboanga City. Ilang beses na nangyaring binabawian ng buhay ang mga tao habang nasa biyahe. Nakakalungkot, pero ito ang dapat nating tutukan,” he continued.

He also said he will strongly push for the establishment of the Basilan Sports Academy, as it will greatly encourage the youth to go into sports and avoid falling into the “trap” of violent extremism and even illegal drugs.

“Isa rin itong punto ng pagkakaisa ng mga mamamayan, ang pagkahilig sa sports. Si Basilan Pride Joey delos Reyes na nanalo ng silver medal sa 30th Southeast Asian Games ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa maraming kabataan. At may koponan kami sa basketball na nanalo na ng kampeonato sa MPBL sa suporta ng mga Basileños,” Hataman proudly said.

As for his request to review the government’s Hajj coordination program, he said it might be time to look into how Congress can aid, through legislation, in making the Hajj a great experience for Filipino Muslim pilgrims.

“Gusto sana nating malaman kung may problema ba tayo sa proseso ng koordinasyon, kung kailangang amyendahan ang batas para solusyunan ang mga ito, o kung panahon na ba para tingnan natin at gayahin ang modelo ng ibang bansa pagdating sa Hajj,” he stated.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith and involves a pilgrimage to their holy place of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It was earlier reported that close to a thousand Filipino pilgrims were stranded in Metro Manila due to flight cancellations and visa problems.

The National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) is mandated to coordinate the Hajj for pilgrims.

“We do not wish to lay blame, we only want to avoid a repeat of this mishap. Hangad natin ang ikagaganda ng karanasan ng mga kapatid nating Muslim sa kanilang pilgrimage sa Hajj,” Hataman ended.