Duterte ally bares more projects for Sulu

SULU REP. Samier Tan, a close political ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, bares a plan to install more street lights in the municipalities of his province’s first congressional district, especially in the capital town of Jolo.

Tan, vice chairman of the Public Order and Safety, has already put up street lights in several villages in Jolo, one of his many infrastructure projects in Sulu.

In Maimbung town where he served as mayor, Tan also transformed the once sleepy town into a bustling municipality and built projects which complimented the provincial government’s peace and development efforts that impacted on the lives of villagers.

The historic Maimbung town, the seat of power of the Sultanate of Sulu, is perhaps the most beautiful in Sulu. Its roads are all lined up with lights and even has a huge park fronting the municipal hall. The town’s beach front is covered in powdery sands.

“We are really all working hard here to uplift the living standards of our constituents and help our people as much as we can. Sulu is a beautiful place and the provincial government is also working hard to bring progress, peace and development in all corners of the province,” Tan told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from Sulu.

Tan did not say the amount of money involved in the lighting project, but many of his friends said the lawmaker spent mostly his own resources for various projects. He also inaugurated on August 16 a covered court he donated to the Laum Alat Elementary School and also donated 5 motorcycles to the 7^th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police under Lt. Col. Jessie Balinang.

Rep. Samier Tan and wife Patrice Tan during the August 16 inauguration of the covered court which the lawmaker donated to the Laum Alat Elementary School. He also donated 5 motorcycles to the the 7th Special Action Battalion of the Philippine National Police under Lt. Col. Jessie Balinang. (Image: Sayjin Ukkoh)

Even during his stint as mayor, Tan until now continues to help the poor, sending them food aid and financial assistance as part of his humanitarian program now called “CongMayor CARES.” 

Tan even sent relief goods to the Aeta community in Tarlac last July to help the indigenous tribe cope with the effect of the health crisis. He also partnered with Kusug Tausug party-list of Rep. Shernee Tambut and launched the Training for Work Scholarship Program that offers training on computer servicing, welding among others which benefit residents of Sulu. 

Just this year, Tan distributed hundreds of computer tablets to elementary students to help them with their online classes and thousands of bags of rice for families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in the province. (Mindanao Examiner)