COTABATO CITY, Dec. 18 (PNA) –Believing on the importance of education as requirement for human development, Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) awarded in Basilan on Wednesday certificates of scholarship to 226 students who will study next school year under the “Iskola para sa Pagbabago program” of ARMM governor.
Hataman was accompanied by Anak Mindanao Congresswoman Sitti Djala Hataman, Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay, Vice Mayor Orig Furigay and other local officials.
Hataman said there are now almost 1,000 scholars in the autonomous region coming from five component provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Hataman said the students emerged as the top examinees in a regionwide examination and comprehensive interviews with the applicants.
Since assuming office as the region’s top executive, Hataman had been advocating education as requirement for peace and development in the country’s poorest yet resource rich region.
Hataman believed that education is a long-term solution to the illiteracy and poverty problem besetting the region.
Rep. Hataman also lauded the scholars saying they deserved the certificates “because they really went through rigid and transparent examinations and top level interviews” with ARMM chief of staff Amihilda Sangcopan and Education Assistant Secretary Jeh Nue Jalani and other representatives of various agencies like Commission on Higher Education and Department of Public Works and Highways. (PNA)