Press Release
November 8, 2020

Gatchalian checks on tourism reopening in the south; donates to victims of Jolo twin blasts

While the country is on its way to gradually opening domestic tourism, Senator Win Gatchalian advises everyone to exercise increased caution especially in areas vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Gatchalian is visiting Jolo, Sulu today to meet with Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, his son Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan II, Jolo Mayor Kerkhar Tan, Congressman Samier Tan of the first district of Sulu, and the Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu Major General William Gonzales of the Philippine Army to discuss the potentials of the island of Jolo and the province of Sulu amid the ongoing threat of the CoViD-19 pandemic and recovery efforts after Jolo has been hit by twin bombings about two months ago.

Gatchalian is extending more than two million pesos as his way of condoling with the families of the slain and injured civilians and uniformed personnel during that fateful day.

The families of nine uniformed personnel who died are each receiving P 50,000 while the families of the six slain civilians will get P 20,000 each.

A total of 24 identified injured uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army will each receive P 30,000.00 as financial assistance. Gatchalian will personally also hand over P10,000 each for the 54 injured civilians.

The Joint Task Force Sulu of the Philippine Army will also receive P 200,000 plus 10,000 pieces of face masks from Gatchalian.

"The national government should rise to the challenge of helping the province get back on its feet. Acts of terrorism create uncertainties and scare investors from doing business in the area and in the country," Gatchalian said.

"It is unfortunate that these atrocities are happening while we are slowly but surely opening up our economy amid the CoViD-19 pandemic. Jolo, Sulu and neighboring provinces should further enhance their security preparedness to support the government's recovery efforts," he added.

The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs stressed that economic development is the solution to lasting peace in the region. Jolo is known to be possessing magnificent white sand beaches as tourist spots.

Gatchalian noted that Jolo Island is also rich in natural resources and an underwater ecosystem that will lure more Filipinos and foreign visitors alike into visiting the place.

"Tutulungan nating makabangon ang lugar at makahikayat ng mga mamumuhunan para umunlad ito at gumanda ang takbo ng kanilang ekonomiya. Kaakibat nito ang kapayapaan at kaayusan, lalo na sa kritikal na sitwasyong bunga ng pandemya," he ended.

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Gatchalian suportado ang pagbangon ng Jolo; tulong nakahanda sa mga biktima ng 'Jolo twin blasts'

Habang unti-unting nagbubukas ang turismo ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa buong bansa, pinayuhan ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang lahat, pati na ang mga turista, na maging maingat sa maaaring magsamantala sa katahimikan ng mga lugar at maghasik ng kaguluhan o hidwaan habang nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya.

Ang pagbisita ngayong araw ni Gatchalian sa Jolo, Sulu ay upang personal na bisitahin ang pagbubukas ng ekonomiya ng lugar. Makikipagpulong ang senador sa kanila Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, anak na si Vice Governor Abdusakur Tan II, Jolo Mayor Kerkhar Tan, Congressman Samier Tan mula sa unang distrito ng Sulu, at ang Commander ng Joint Task Force Sulu na si Major General William Gonzales ng Philippine Army para pag-usapan ang potensyal ng isla ng Jolo at buong probinsiya ng Sulu sa gitna ng banta ng pandemya. Kasama rin sa agenda ang recovery efforts sa lugar dalawang buwan matapos ang magkasunod na pagsabog na ikinasawi ng may labing apat na katao at nag-iwan ng higit pitumpung sugatan.

Personal na mamimigay si Gatchalian ng higit dalawang milyong piso bilang tulong pinansiyal sa mga pamilya ng nasawi at sugatang sundalo at sibilyan.

Kada isang pamilya ng siyam na uniformed personnel na nasawi sa pagsabog ay makakakuha ng tig-P 50,000 habang tig-P 20,000 naman ang makukuha ng mga pamilya ng anim na sibilyang nasawi.

Ang mga sugatan mula sa hanay ng Philippine National Police (PNP) at Philippine Army (PA) ay makakatanggap din kay Gatchalian ng tig-P 30,000.00 bilang tulong pinansiyal. Tig-P10,000 naman ang maipapaabot sa 54 na sibilyang nasugatan.

At dahil sa panganib na sinusuong ng mga sundalo bilang frontliners sa gitna ng pandemya, mamimigay din ang senador ng P 200,000 at sampung libong face masks sa Joint Task Force Sulu ng Philippine Army.

"Tungkulin ng gobyerno na pangalagaan ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa lugar at tulungang makabangon ang buong probinsiya mula sa anumang banta sa seguridad at kaligtasan. Ang banta ng terorismo ay salot para makahikayat ng maraming mamumuhunan at turistang nais bisitahin ang ganda ng turismo ng Jolo at buong Sulu," ayon sa Vice Chairman ng Economic Affairs sa Senado.

"Ang pag-unlad ng ekonomiya ang sagot sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa rehiyon. Kailangan pang paigtingin ng hukbong sandatahan ang pagbabantay sa seguridad bilang suporta sa recovery efforts ng lokal na pamahalaan," dagdag pa ng mambabatas.

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