Stateless children of Filipino parentage need help

Children of Filipino parentage born in Sabah, Malaysia could have hard time in getting birth certificates or do not have birth certificates at all. They are stateless children and they need help.

This writer was in Kota Kinabalu (KK) recently, while walking in the corridors of the busy business center of KK, a lass in checkered blouse and denim pant shouted near us “rokok, rokok, beli lah kamu rokok” (cigarette, cigarette, buy cigarette) as she waves packs of Indonesian and Philippine smuggled cigarettes to induce passers- by to buy her stuff in downtown KK, Sabah.

She is Ula Matusin, 10 year old girl of Filipino parentage from Basilan. I waved my hand signaling her to come closer to me and asked a pack of Suria. “Tiga ringgit (RM 3.00), she said in Malay.

I stared at her as I was amazed by her fluency of her second language though she has never gone to any school, she claimed. But Ula said she was forced into an early childhood labor because she could not go to school. She was denied entrance in all KK’s sekolah rendah (primary school) for having no birth certificate although she was born in Sabah. She is a stateless child.

Ula is not alone, hundreds or even more stateless children are like her in the different districts of Sabah, Malaysia. However, they do not exist even in the country of their birth much more in the country of their parent’s origin.

“I did like to go to school and want to learn,” she said. “I also have my ambition. I want to become a nurse someday but it is unfortunate I cannot see this dream to happen. My parents are illegal immigrants so I could not get a birth certificate that is a requirement for enrollment here,” she stressed.

Ula was not alone peddling illegal stuff like smuggled cigarettes; there were many boys and girls her age, and like her, are street kids in many places of the urban cities of Sabah, though born here but do not have birth certificates or any documentation to prove their nationality.

Living in legal midpoint, they are unable to access government services such as health and education or return lawfully to their parents’ countries.
The children that face days without access to school tend to grow up as child laborers in constructions and plantations or wander the streets where they are exposed to petty crimes, drugs, glue sniffing, and child abuse. If they are ill, they can only seek treatment at expensive private clinics, not at government hospitals.

These children’s predispositions and tendencies are primarily caused by being unjustifiably stateless.

Moreover, no one should anymore try to fault find.

What is needed to be done is how to extricate these stateless children from the bondage of illiteracy and help bring to them a non-formal education process and establish it in the cities of their stay.

Teaching our national language will inculcate and maintain their sense of nationalism as Filipinos, on the grounds of their biological parentage, vis-à-vis the literacy program sponsored by our national government that will make them read and write.

On the other hand, Liew Vui Keong, deputy minister in the prime minister’s department and a member of parliament for Sandakan constituency in Sabah, said that both host countries and countries of origin would have to work together to give some form of recognition to the stateless children and their parents.

“We cannot deny the fact that they’re already here,” he said. “We cannot just kick them out because where do they go? We cannot simply deny them of their rights to stay in a place where they were born,” Liew was quoted as saying in an interview by newsmen.

Sahali re-evaluates Project 100 RUBIES

Vice Governor Ruby Sahali presided a meeting with the midwives of the Project 100 RUBIES on Wednesday to re-evaluate the output of the project and the performance of these health personnel involved in the implementation.

The meeting, according to the Vice Governor, was to determine whether the services of the 100 midwives or RUBIES are still deemed necessary.

She said their (RUBIES) contract of service ended last December 2011 and need renewal depending on the positive output of their performance.

“This is why we have this meeting in order to assess the performance and output of the project base from their achievements as a requirement for renewal,” Vice Governor Sahali stressed.

After the assessment was made, the vice governor decided to allow the continuance of service of the midwives saying that their services are deemed necessary in order to pursue the continuity of the prime objectives of the project.

Named after the Vice Governor herself, the Project 100 RUBIES was initiated by the provincial government in 2010, which hired 100 midwives to augment the 48 regular midwives of the Integrated Public Health Office (IPHO).

The project was aimed at reaching undeserved barangays through initiatives for enhancement of services to curb maternal, infant and child deaths in Tawi-Tawi by giving appropriate and timely health care interventions to save the lives of mothers and children.

Both Governor Sadikul Sahali and Vice Governor Ruby Sahali believed that “No mother should die giving life.”

The vice governor said that the 100 RUBIES were deployed to municipalities that have no sufficient health personnel and with poor health indices and relatively poor population of which the IPHO oversees its implementation.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sukarno Asri, IPHO chief said that project 100 RUBIES has a good impact to the people especially those in areas that have less health personnel.

He said the project has helped a lot in preventing maternal and infant mortality.

He revealed that DOH-ARMM has patterned its Midwife in Every Community in ARMM (MECA) program from the concept of the Project 100 RUBIES of the provincial government.

Aside from the provincial government and the IPHO’s support, the project is also supported by USAID-SHIELD, UNFPA, Global Fund, and the European Commission.

Tawi-Tawi donates school buildings

Bongao, Tawi-Tawi (November 7, 2011) – The Provincial Government (PG) here has donated two school buildings with two classrooms each in early September this year and inaugurated both buildings recently.

Gov. Sadikul Sahali said the funds for the construction of the two buildings was drawn from the 20 percent development fund of the province and was undertaken by administration.

The two school buildings are located inside the school campus of the Mindanao State University-Laboratory Elementary School (MSU-LES) and Pangalian Primary School here, Sahali said.

The Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of the MSU-LES was prompted to seek the assistance of the provincial government for a new classroom building after its oldest edifice was razed in a dawn fire few months ago.

The new school building at Sitio Pangalian in Barangay Luuk Pangdan replaced a dilapidated wooden-shack, which the local folks had requested.

However, Gov. Sahali said that school building alone could not fully address the objective of giving free education to the underprivileged pupils especially when teaching staff was insufficient in the sitio.

So he thought of completing the package for the Pangalian children and gave them volunteer teachers whose allowances come from his (Sahali) personal funds.

Meanwhile, in a simple inauguration and ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday at the MSU-LES compound, Provincial Administrator Kadirie J. Sahali represented the governor in the occasion and delivered the latter’s message.

The ceremony was also graced by Atty. Lorenzo R. Reyes, chancellor, MSU-TCTO, Bernardita Alegado, principal, LES, Maureen Amil, state auditor, and many other college officials.

Tawi-Tawi to propel NRM program in Mapun, Turtle Island

Bongao, Tawi-Tawi – (November 8, 2011) - The Province of Tawi-Tawi is on another leg next week of propelling its Natural Resources Management (NRM) program in Mapun and Turtle Island, two far-flung municipalities of this southern province.

In a planning meeting at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall this morning, Vice Governor Ruby Sahali discussed the agenda with the concerned agencies that will participate to implement the program.

The NRM activities include Mangrove planting (DENR), Fruit-bearing tree planting (DA), Dive exploration (WWF), and Coastal Resource Management and Climate Change (WWF, DA).

Included for social services are Brigada Iskwela, Maternal and Child Care, 4P’s Beneficiary Assessment, Islamic lectures, Assistance to Mother’s Club of Turtle Island, Operation gupit, and Medical/Dental services.

Vice Governor Sahali said these are among the programs and activities undertaken by the provincial government in line with its implementation of the province’s NRM program since 2010.

She said that after Mapun and Turtle Island, she has eyed for Sapa-Sapa municipality as the next recipient.

The vice governor further stressed that this program will opportune all constituents irrespective of political affiliation.

“We are doing this public service for the benefits of the people and we have set aside politics here,” she said.

Meanwhile, Task Force 62 commander, Captain Renato Yongque, PN, GSC, has assured the availability of a navy boat to ferry the Mapun and Turtle Island - bound group this week end.

“Peace in Tawi-Tawi is made by Tawi-Tawians themselves” – Sahali

The vibrant speech of Tawi-Tawi Governor Hadji Sadikul A. Sahali in opening the four-day anniversary celebration Saturday, and saying that “peace in Tawi-Tawi is of Tawi - Tawians themselves,” has allied this year’s 38th Kamahardikaan theme of “Sustaining Peace and Responsive Local Governance: Paving the way to a Progressive Tawi-Tawi.”

Sahali was truly sincere praising what he saw in the hearts of his people. He saw that peace is the language of their hearts and remarkably stressed that reigning peace in the province is not the work of anybody but the work of the people of Tawi-Tawi themselves.

“Tawi-Tawians love peace and because of this peace we have brought development; continuing development and progress for Tawi-Tawi “dayn ha kusug iban pamikil dihil katuh sin ALLAH” (from the strength and mind given to us by the Almighty),” Sahali said.

Under the scorching heat of the sun, participants to the sports parade vigorously listened to the governor’s brief message followed by Vice Governor Ruby Sahali’s introduction of the guest speaker, Artist Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa, who also gave an artistic remarks while the sports fellows were pictured anticipating their chance of winning a prize at stake that moment.

“Governor Sahali is the best governor I ever met,” was the most pleasant remark that reverberated into the ears of all the constituents. The statement came from Her Excellency, Polyxenia Stefanido, ambassador of Greece to the Philippines while delivering her speech as guest of honor on the final day of the 38th Tawi-Tawi Kamahardikaan .

Stefanido, a former archaeologist before joining Greece Foreign Service, has witnessed in entirety the activities of the 38th kamahardikaan celebration. She was with her retired navy husband.

In her speech, Stefanido said she was fascinated by the activities of the celebration. She also conveyed her appreciation to the people of Tawi-Tawi for their hospitality, especially the Sahalis.

In the same manner, Malaysian Consul-General Mohammad Adzhar Mazlan, upon arrival, has immediately proceeded to Lomboy wharf to witness the fluvial parade at the same time giving a courtesy call to Gov. Sahali. He has also conveyed his appreciation to the people of Tawi-Tawi and to the provincial leadership in a brief message on the culminating day. He said Tawi-Tawi is like Malaysia, which also celebrates its Merdeka (independence) day.

Mazlan reiterated the good relationship of the Philippines and Malaysia. He said Malaysia is fostering the peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF and hopes that the process will bring better result.

Meantime, the large number of participants (an estimate of about 5000) who joined the culminating parade has shown anew the increasing people support to the Sahali administration. “Sahali still holds political magic in his hand,” a political analyst said.

Asked to comment on the huge number of parade participants, Gov. Sahali said Tawi-Tawians are united in an effort for the sake of Tawi-Tawi. He said he is happy of the developments in the 38th Kamahardikaan celebration. He thanked the people, LGUs and the government line agencies for their unwavering support that brought the successful celebration of the founding anniversary.

Speaking on the brief program after the culminating parade, Sahali stressed, “Way na tawarun ku kaniyu ha tungud sin parakalah ini, kitah ku in pagtuku niyu kakuh, landuh tuud in pagsarangsukul ku kaniyu (I have nothing to ask more of you in this celebration, I saw how you support me in this endeavor and I thank all of you so much).”

In another development, a monument of Dr. Jose Rizal located in front of Radyo ng Bayan Tawi-Tawi, was unveiled in a simple ceremony before the culminating parade.

Governor Sahali, a mason, together with about a dozen of his brethrens to include Engr. Ben Ajihil, Dr. Aldrin Ibbo, Prof. Abduljim Hassan, and many others unveiled the project. (Nash Tahang)

Budjang Tawi-Tawi 2011

The search for Budjang Tawi-Tawi ended when Ms. Danica Zeline B. Yarrada clutched six awards in the coronation night, which influenced the judges’ decision to finally name her winner of the search. She was crowned Budjang Tawi-Tawi 2011 by no less than the Governor Hadji Sadikul Sahali and First Lady Juana Sahali, who was the search chairwoman.

Yarrada hailed from Mapun municipality. She was chosen as Ms. Belleza, Ms. Mosimo, Ms. Tawi-Tawi Tourism, and bested in talent, summer looks and interview.

Ms. Rodeliza Venica Amor Bergantes garnered the First Runner-up post. A Sitangkai maiden that has beauty and brain, she has bested Batawi and Clear Smile categories.

Ms. Arawiwa Sappayani of Turlte Islands likewise garnered two categories. She excelled in Badjao Attire and Evening Gown.

Search for Budjang Tawi-Tawi has been the central and traditional highlight activity of every kamahardikaan celebration eve from the time of the past governors. Many say there is no province day without the Search for Budjang Tawi-Tawi.

Madame Juana Sahali was quoted as saying that Tawi-Tawi also produces beauties similar to those in the national pageants. Budjang Tawi-Tawi she said is an exposure to Tawi-Tawi beauties who may take a bigger chance forward.

Agal-Agal Festival: A showcase of Tawi-Tawi’s green gold

The crowd-drawing agal-agal festival remains a highlight activity of the annual celebration of the province’s kamahardikaan. In this year’s 38th founding anniversary, influx of domestic visitors has been noted. There were people from Manila, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga who came just to witness the festival, which showcased the prime marine industry of Tawi-Tawi.

The provincial government in its effort to boost the industry has indeed strengthened its campaign to promote this festival in its eye-catching theme of celebration, “Promoting Tawi-Tawi as Tourism Destination through Seaweeds Industry.

“We only need a serious and aggressive promotion of our tourism attractions, destinations, and potentials, and add more colors to the celebration to get the much-needed boost in the tourism field,” Sahali pointed out earlier.

In this year’s celebration, delegations from the island municipalities, except for Tandubas, have contested all categories in the agal-agal festival. From costumes and props, choreography and music to float designs have made the contesting municipalities exhaust their imaginations to produce better if not best presentation to capture judges’ appreciation.

Panglima Sugala has bested all other participating municipalities. It got the most impressive performance to outsmart all other contestants. Their presentation, street dancing, costumes, props, music, and float enthralled the judges and the watching crowds.

Green gold

Tawi-Tawi’s agal-agal in a lesser extent is comparable to Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserve or a “black gold” as it is known in the corporate circle. Tawi-Tawi is likely parallel to Saudi Arabia’s economic history. If oil is black gold to Saudi Arabia, seaweed (agal-agal) is green gold to Tawi-Tawi. For many Tawi-Tawians, this income earner has become the legendary “pot of gold at the end of a rainbow” for them.