AMAI MANABILANG, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--With the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) enlivened after its vision and mission stalled for a moment, the local chief executive of the municipality here expressed his gratefulness for the initiative that brought back the authority. 

Municipal Mayor Jamal Manabilang stressed that past administrations had never given any attention to the SPDA, and it is only at this time when it is magnified and land property under it is looked after for development. 

"Ilang past administrations, hindi nila pinansin ang SPDA. Ilang taong patay ang lupa dahil hindi binibigyan pansin kaya ngayon, halos maiyak kami sa tuwa at saya dahil binigyan pansin ang SPDA," he said during the grand launching of the Agro-Industrial Development Program (AIDP) in his locality Tuesday, November 16. 

[Many past administrations, they did not give attention to the SPDA. The land has been dead for years because it was not given attention and now, we would like to cry in joy and happiness because the SPDA was given attention.] 

Manabilang also conveyed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for taking extra effort to pursue the favorable program. 

He further committed his full support believing that the SPDA's programs will not only benefit the municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang all in the provinces of Lanao del Sur where its 26,000-hectare land property lies, but also the whole Bangsamoro region. 

"Taas noo naming ipinagmamalaki na dito sa bayan ng Amai Manabilang, 100% ang aming suporta dahil hindi na ito bago sa amin… May bago na namang dumating na project kung saan makikinabang hindi lang ang Amai Manabilang, hindi lang ang mamamayan ng Wao, kung hindi ang buong BARMM," said Manabilang. 

[It is with great pride that here in the town of Amai Manabilang, we commit our 100% support because this is not new to us. Another project  is here again that will benefit not only Amai Manabilang, not only the citizens of Wao but also the entire BARMM] 

Currently, the municipality of Amai Manabilang possesses hectares of banana and coffee plantations and sees to start its 5,000-hectare bamboo plantation next year. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)