SUMISIP, Basilan (PIA) – After winning the peace, “Basilan’s new role now is against hunger”, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared during his recent visit at Mahatallang in the province.

In his visit to the picturesque province of Basilan on March 2, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr celebrated the remarkable transformation of what was once a ground zero for conflict into an epicenter of peace. Standing amidst the resilient people of Basilan, the president acknowledged the triumph of the community in rejecting violence and terrorism, emphasizing that true peace extends beyond the mere cessation of hostilities.

“I am very happy to be here in your beautiful, bountiful and breathtaking Basilan. Our presence in today’s event reaffirms the truth that what was once a ground zero of war is now turned into an epicenter of peace. A promise that was once tainted by violence and terrorism is now a zone of peace made possible, not by military might, but by the people saying no to violence,” the President said.

Looking forward, President Marcos Jr. outlined Basilan's potential role in the country's pursuit of food security. The province, endowed with abundant resources and resilient people, has the opportunity to become a food and fisheries production center. With government support, Basilan can contribute significantly to the national goal of ensuring food security, making it a strategic island at the forefront of the nation's vision.

“You have a land area that is twice the size of Singapore, blessed with the rich soil. Above all, more or less typhoon-free, which makes you an ideal bulwark in our fight for food security,” he declared.

President Marcos Jr defined his vision of peace as a holistic societal order that prioritizes human dignity, improves lives, and fosters progress. It is not merely the absence of gunfire but a state where the clamor for better lives has been met. Basilan, he declared, is witnessing the dawn of a unique peace—one that replaces the grim statistics of war casualties with encouraging indicators of human development.

In conclusion, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed hope that the progress witnessed in Basilan would be sustained. He reassured the province that the national government is committed to being a partner in Basilan's great leap forward, affirming that the destiny of Basilan is intertwined with the fate of the nation. As the people of Basilan embark on this journey towards "Ang Bagong Pilipinas," the president declared, "May the hope that we feel today sustain what we have already achieved in Basilan." (EDT/RVC/PIA-9)