State college for agriculture and fisheries pushed for Basilan

BASILAN is moving to invest more in agriculture and fisheries as Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman filed a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to establish a tertiary educational institution that aims to develop the two most important sectors in attaining food security.

“Agriculture and fisheries are two of the main sources of livelihood for Basileños. A college that specializes in these two sectors will greatly benefit not only the citizens of Basilan, but the economy of the whole province as well,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct ARMM, said.

He filed House Bill No. 7085, which seeks to establish the Basilan Agriculture and Fisheries College and enable students from Basilan to study the latest trends and new technologies in agriculture and fisheries.

“Yamang lupa at yamang dagat ang isa sa pinakamadaling pagyamanin na kabuhayan dito sa aming lalawigan. Kaya marapat lamang na ito ang aming pagtuunan ng focus at makatulong sa pag-angat ng aming lalawigan.

According to the measure, the state college “shall primarily provide technical and professional training in sciences, arts, teacher education, agriculture, engineering and technology, fisheries, food technology, nutrition, as well as short-term vocational courses.”

“Bukod sa agriculture and fisheries, hiling sana namin ay mag-offer din ng ibang mga courses ang kolehiyong ito para mas maraming option ang aming mag-aaral sa propesyon na nais nilang pasukin,” Hataman said. “Edukasyon ay isang magandang legacy na maiiwan ng mga magulang para sa kanilang mga anak. Ang panukalang ito ay makakatulong sa pag-abot sa mga pangarap ng mga Basileño.”