Basilan, Philippines – Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman has reaffirmed his commitment to fully utilize the ASPIRE programs and interventions to support the ongoing transformation of Basilan. The ASPIRE (Assistance for Security, Peace, Integration, and Recovery for Advancing Human Security in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) program, funded by the Japanese government and facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to reduce loose firearms in the Bangsamoro Region and improve socio-economic conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Basilan, Salliman expressed his gratitude to the national government, the Japanese government, and the UNDP for their support. “We will do everything to complement these projects and align with the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people and the national government in providing what is best for Basilan,” he affirmed.
The ASPIRE program, part of the Joint Normalization Committee between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has helped Basilan shed its past reputation as a conflict zone. Not long ago, areas like Sumisip experienced violence, while the coastal town of Hadji Mohammad Ajul was once dubbed the “Somalia of the Philippines” due to frequent hijackings and kidnappings. Today, these areas are enjoying improved peace and order, with no recent reports of kidnappings or violence.
On Thursday, residents of Sumisip and Hadji Mohammad Ajul exchanged their unregistered firearms for agricultural tools and equipment as part of the ASPIRE initiative. In return for turning in loose firearms, Sumisip received a wheel loader, three tractors with disc ploughs, free-range chickens, and other farm inputs. Meanwhile, Hadji Mohammad Ajul was provided with solar-powered ice block machines, a mini delivery cargo van, and farm equipment, among other resources.
These deliveries followed the surrender of 771 firearms and the stenciling of 556 weapons in Basilan since the program’s launch last year. The ASPIRE initiative not only seeks to reduce the presence of loose firearms but also provides socio-economic interventions aimed at rebuilding and developing these communities.
Gov. Salliman assured that these projects would be used as expected, emphasizing the importance of Basilan’s role as a model province for the SALW (Small Arms and Light Weapons) program. “Rest assured, we will use these projects based on expectations,” he stated, extending his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., for recognizing Basilan as a pilot province for ASPIRE.
Earlier this year, President Marcos praised the transformation of Basilan, noting the shift from a former conflict zone to a province of peace. “What was once a Ground Zero of war is now an epicenter of peace,” he said during a visit to Sumisip, underscoring the people’s role in rejecting violence and embracing change.
Local leaders echoed this sentiment. Sumisip Mayor Jul-adnan Hataman said, “In the past, Basilan was defined by stories of conflict. But today, with every project like ASPIRE, we are rewriting our story – a story where peace is the foundation, and development is the path forward.” Hadji Mohammad Ajul Mayor Talib Pawaki expressed his gratitude for the program, noting its role in eliminating loose firearms and helping those who wish to change their lives.
The ASPIRE program continues to be a key element in the peace process, contributing to the implementation of the Normalization Track under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Through programs like this, Basilan is steadily progressing toward lasting peace and development, with leaders like Gov. Salliman at the forefront of its transformation.
