Sulu Governor Sakur Tan indicated his support for the Supreme Court's (SC) ruling to exclude the province of Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), asserting that it serves the interests of his constituents.
"Iyan ang boto ng ating mga kababayan dito sa Sulu na no ang punto, siguro dapat lamang ma-respeto iyon. Walang patutunguhan at kawawa naman ang mga next generations ng aming kababayan dito sa ating lalawigan," Tan said during an exclusive interview with DZRH for Damdaming Bayan on Wednesday.
"Mas mahalaga sa akin ang interes ng kababayan natin dito sa Sulu," he added.
Tan raised concerns about the province's budget, citing issues such as insufficient funds allocated for teachers.
"Tignan niyo, ang teachers dito karamihan ay volunteers, mga walang sweldo. LGU na lamang at mga barangay ang namimigay ng allowance," Tan mentioned.
"Paano makakasurvive ang mga teacher? Karamihan sa mga nagvovolunteer, mga hindi pa pumapasa sa LET. Kawawa naman ang mga kabataan dito sa lalawigan ng Sulu," he added.
He further added that most offices in the province are lacking in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
He stated that regardless of what they communicate to the BARMM leadership, the only response they get is "let us see."
"PHP 100-B ang pondo. Saan ka nakakakita ng region na PHP 100-B ang budget tapos walang nangyayari?" Tan questioned. He asserted that he does not know where that budget is being allocated.
Initially, the province of Sulu filed a petition with the Supreme Court. A plebiscite was also held in 2018, and Sulu was the only province among those included that did not agree; the people's vote was a "no." Hence, the SC ruled to exclude the province.
Tan then appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide guidance to BARMM, even though they are no longer part of it, to ensure that the provinces do not face further difficulties.
