BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI — The Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, led by Governor Yshmael “Mang” I. Sali, welcomed a high-level delegation of national and international officials on June 25, 2025, during a landmark visit focused on education, security, and regional cooperation.
Among the prominent guests were Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, and ambassadors from India, Brunei, and Vietnam — Shri Kumar Jain, Megawati Manan, and Lai Thai Binh, respectively. They were joined by foreign military officers and representatives from diplomatic and defense communities at the Governor’s Lounge, Capitol Building, Bongao.
In his welcome address, Governor Sali emphasized Tawi-Tawi’s strategic location and peaceful environment, expressing gratitude for the delegation’s visit and underlining the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in achieving national and regional development goals. Plaques of recognition were presented to the guests as a token of appreciation.
One of the key highlights of the visit was the ceremonial turnover of ten laptops and five tablets to Pagasinan National High School, led personally by Secretary Angara and Governor Sali. The donation, under the ConnectED Project of Her Legacy Foundation Inc., aims to promote digital learning in remote and underserved schools. Despite a tight schedule, Secretary Angara made it a point to include this direct support to the education sector in his itinerary, affirming the national government’s commitment to digital inclusion.
“We wanted to personally check the schools,” Angara said. “There is still a strong need for more school buildings, teaching materials, and continuous teacher training. Education is the backbone of national development, and we must invest in it, especially in geographically isolated areas like Tawi-Tawi.”
Governor Sali echoed the sentiment and pledged the Provincial Government’s continued collaboration with DepEd, particularly on infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives.
Beyond education, the visiting ambassadors expressed keen interest in building partnerships with the Provincial Government in areas such as tourism, trade, and investment. They also expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with both the Tawi-Tawi provincial and Bangsamoro regional governments.
On the peace and security front, Lt. Gen. Galido assured continued support from the Philippine Army in maintaining the province’s stability. Foreign military officers also indicated their countries’ openness to engage in peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts in Mindanao.
The series of engagements underscores Tawi-Tawi’s growing role in promoting inclusive development and fostering international cooperation. With strong national and global support, the Provincial Government continues to advance its mission of empowering communities and ensuring a better future for its people.