Photo from MOTC
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Government provided free transportation and meals on July 8-16, 2023 to hundreds of Bangsamoro pilgrims who had successfully completed their sacred pilgrimage to the Holy land of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, ensuring their well-being and comfort amidst the unforeseen detour of their flights.
Unexpectedly, their return flights faced diversions to Davao and General Santos due to the unprecedented closure of Cotabato (Awang) Airport, leaving the pilgrims uncertain and inconvenienced.
Through the BARMM’s Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC), the Civil Aeronautics Board of the Bangsamoro (CABB) initiated the ‘Oplan Sundo Program’, aiming to ease the travel burden of the affected Bangsamoro pilgrims.
MOTC Minister Atty. Paisalin Tago pointed out that the BARMM leadership is overwhelmingly supportive of the affected pilgrims, demonstrating its commitment to the welfare and safety of passengers.
“Dubbed ‘Oplan Sundo: Hajj 2023’, this operation is in line with BARMM Government’s direction,” Tago said while emphasizing the importance of serving Bangsamoro with unwavering commitment and dedication.
The Minister also expressed his sincere gratitude to all the collaborating agencies involved in the successful implementation of this program, which included the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos, the Civil Aviation Authority, as well as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Regions XI and XII.
“Ang inisyatibang ito ay ginawa ng Bangsamoro Government katuwang ang ibang national agencies hindi lamang upang matulungan ang ating mga pilgrims mula sa Saudi Arabia, [kundi] higit sa lahat ay para masigurado ang kaligtasan at hindi mahirapan o magkaproblema,” Tago, who is also a Member of Parliament, said.
The minister also shared that they hoped to fully implement the Oplan Sundo Program for Bangsamoro pilgrims in the coming years.
“Nais ng MOTC na sa susunod na Hajj ay magsasagawa ng Opland Sundo Program sa mga airports sa tulong ng Bangsamoro Government and other partners,” Tago shared.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Ministry of Public Works(MPW) Danilo Ong, one of the pilgrims, wholeheartedly extended his congratulations on the remarkable initiative undertaken by MOTC-BARMM.
Ong expressed his awe at witnessing such an extraordinary program which benefited the pilgrims.
“Napakalaking tulong ang ginawang hakbang ng ating Government na sunduin ang mga nag-Hajj dahil napadali natin ang tranportasyon ng ating mga kasamahan kahit hindi kami lumapag sa Awang Airport, ” Ong said. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO with reports from MOTC)
