JOLO, Sulu – Aiming to harness the economic potential of the region, the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) Sulu Provincial Office spearheaded the ceremonial inauguration of the new Pasalubong Center at Jolo port on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The center will function as a one-stop shop for local products, ranging from handicrafts to processed foods, fashion accessories, souvenirs, gift items, and home decors.
Dr. Nagdar Sasapan, provincial director of MTIT-Sulu, highlighted that the pasalubong center will provide vital support to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the province, aiding them in marketing and promoting their products not only to locals but also to tourists.
“With the advent of our Pasalubong Center, malagguh in hikatabang ta pa mga local MSMEs sin kita. Through [this] Pasalubong Center, Manjari ta cater-run in mga products nila iban makatabang kita kanila mag-promote iban mag-market sin mga products,” Sasapan said in Bahasa Sug as he delivered his speech.
[…we will be able to further support local MSMEs. Through this Pasalubong Center, we can cater to their products and help them promote and market their products.]
Jolo Municipal Mayor Kerkhar Tan, represented by Dr. Khumaidy Tan, the municipal administrator, expressed gratitude to those who initiated the establishment of the Pasalubong Center, affirming the municipal government’s commitment to implementing projects that will contribute to the socio-economic development of the town.
The center was funded under the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of former Member of Parliament (MP) Sahie Udjah who mentioned it as one of six other projects from his former office that will be turned over this February.
Furthermore, it was a collaborative effort involving partner agencies such as the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC), and the municipal local government unit of Jolo. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing took place on October 20, 2023.
The new Pasalubong Center in Jolo port marks a crucial step in boosting Sulu’s economy, aligning with Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s 12-point priority agenda. It supports local MSMEs, promotes socio-economic development, and showcases the joint efforts of agencies and the local government for a prosperous future in Sulu. (Alline Jamar M. Undikan/BIO)
