CONSIDERED as the most beautiful province with close to half a million people, Tawi-Tawi comprises 302 islands and islets at the southernmost part of the Philippines. It has 11 municipalities — three are found in the mainland, while eight are on the larger islands. The province shares a common sea border with Indonesia's North Kalimantan province and with Sabah. Its strategic location provides an easier access to the member countries of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), of which it is an active member.
I first visited Tawi-Tawi on a bright sunny day 10 years ago, and during that short air flight from Zamboanga City, I was awed by the sight of the vast blue sea and many green islands with pearly white-sand beaches. I went to Bongao, the provincial capital, to meet with Dr. Sukarnu Asri, the provincial health officer then, and now a provincial board member, some Muslim religious leaders and local government officials, to find out if they were interested in joining the proposed UNFPA South-South Cooperation (SSC) program between Indonesia and the Philippines (particularly with the defunct Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, now the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM), for a concept note that I was asked to prepare. I have returned to this province several times after the SSC became operational. After every trip from Tawi-Tawi, my relatives and friends always asked the same question: Was I not afraid to travel alone in that part of the country, where terrorists and kidnappers are reportedly harbored? I always responded by telling them that Tawi-Tawi is the most peaceful ARMM province, the people are friendly and hardworking, and fresh seafood is abundant. If fully developed, this province will have many captivating natural sites for tourism and other socioeconomic activities.
Tawi-Tawi is currently celebrating its Kamahardikaan sin, i.e., to honor and celebrate the freedom of the people (Sama-Bajau and Tausug) on September 27 because this will be the province's 49th foundation day, by virtue of Presidential Decree 302 in 1973. Before 1973, Tawi-Tawi was a part of Sulu province. The proclamation of Tawi-Tawi as a separate province was a significant historical event because it responded to the people's clamor for self-governance and autonomy from Sulu.
Ysmael “Mang” I. Sali, the 11th governor of the province, has declared September 26 and 27 as non-working holidays to enable constituents to join the celebration. The province has always celebrated its foundation day except during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. This year's festivities started on Friday, September 23, and will end on September 27. A well-planned calendar of activities is currently implemented in Simunul, which is about half an hour away from Bongao by speedboat.
Simunul, a fourth class municipality with 34,000 people, is a significant place for the 49th founding year celebration because Islam was first introduced to this area in 1380 by Sheik ul-Makhdum, an Arabian trader. The sheik also established the first mosque of the Philippines in this municipality. His tomb, which is revered by Filipino Muslims, is found in this place.
The five-day celebration includes sports events, interagency development activities, traditional food festival, nightly programs and cultural performances, Islamic symposium, and talent and beauty pageant for young female contestants. The people of Tawi-Tawi are known as seafarers and for their skill in building traditional colorful boats, so they hold the Lepa Festival, or boat competition involving all municipalities, the governor and other officials. A street dance highlighting the agal-agal or seaweeds is also organized, because Tawi-Tawi is the biggest producer of this product. In fact, 80 percent of the people's livelihood is based on seaweed farming. On the last day, a special session will be convened involving local government officials, and the governor will present the state and prospects of the province. What is particularly unique about this year's celebration is that for the first time since its founding, the provincial government will give awards to 10 persons (mostly posthumous) who played important roles in the separation of Tawi-Tawi from Sulu, and for other efforts that brought a good name to the province.
With the motto “Gobyernong kasali ang lahat” (An inclusive government) and theme “Tawi-Tawi to the world,” Governor Sali, and other officials of the local government unit are determined to involve all sectors of their constituency, to develop the province's abundant natural resources, its tourism industry, and to bring their products not only within our country, but to other places worldwide. This may include the exploration of its gas and oil because Tawi-Tawi's sea borders are close to Indonesia and Sabah, which have already found these resources underneath the sea.
To be able to achieve its plans, I think Tawi-Tawi needs to address some current challenges. These include changing the public and media's perceptions that it is a dangerous province, rather than a peaceful and safe place to visit. It must also improve its airport and local seaport infrastructure, as well as the sea transportation that connects the different islands. It also needs to develop its agal-agal industry with new technology, and to eliminate middlemen as much as possible. To be able to connect to other provinces and countries, it must improve its internet connection because it is difficult to engage in business and socio-cultural events with poor inter-connectivity.
Many things are looking up for Tawi-Tawi. I wish the province the best as it enters its golden age in 2023.