By Ayunan G. Gunting / Special to the BusinessMirror
LIBERAL Party Rep. Ruby M. Sahali of Tawi- Tawi is working to make to make Turtle Islands, a remote town of seven islands, declared as a wildlife sanctuary.
Sahali has authored a bill that provides measures to attract tourists while not harming the environment.
Visitors are drawn to watch marine and leatherback turtles hatch eggs on Turtle Islands. However, the presence of human beings and other forms of life can frighten them and disorient baby turtles as they crawl out to the sea.
The bill aims to protect the turtles through zoning. “There should be a sector for the community and another for the turtles to lay their eggs. That hasn’t been defined. When turtles hear noise or see light, they won’t lay eggs. Where else will they go except in that island?” she says.
Her vision is to get funding from the government that would provide the equipment and manpower to protect the turtles.
“Tawi-Tawi’s main attractions are its pristine natural beauty, the variety of seafood and the smile of the people. We are a thriving community of Muslims, the Sama tribes that live on the land and the sea, the Badjaos and Tausug…all of whom live in harmony,” she says.
Contrary to the news that Tawi-Tawi is in the proximity of battles between the rebels and government troops, the island province has been relatively peaceful.
“Although it is near Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi has been stable,” Insp. Ritzuel Espiritu of the National Police Special Action Force says.
“We have to ensure public safety and internal security over Philippine water and rivers, including ports in Tawi-Tawi, and sustain the protection of the maritime environment,” Insp. Jomz Leonardo Ermino of the National Police’s Maritime Group says. Bongao, the provincial capital, is famous for its stunning hilltop views and coves. Bud Bongao, the highest mountain in the province, is sacred to the locals. They climb up to commune with Allah and ask for miracles. Climbers are greeted by macacaques, local monkeys, who enjoy being fed with bananas.
In Panglimasugala, Tawi-Tawi, around 15 weavers were gathered around and sitting on top of their creations—the mysterious and much sought-after baloy. Baloy is the term they use to refer to fantastically hued mats made of dyed pandan leaf strips.
The Sama Dilaut women weave the mats in their houses. But they brought out the mats for Sahali when she visited the town.
Simunul Island, the cradle of Islam in the Philippines, is a heritage site for the tomb of Sheik Karimul Makhdum, the first Muslim missionary who built the country’s first mosque in the 14th century.
Dubbed “Venice of the South,” Sitangkai is connected by waterways and foot bridges. Since only mode of transport is the boat, the Badjaos and Samas go about their daily lives on these boats. It also called the carageeneen capital of the Philippines.
Then there are other destinations that lend that other-worldly feel. Panglima Sugala (formerly Balimbing) is noted for its coral stones and ancient graveyards.
Mapun (formerly Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi) beckons with its three crater lakes, vestiges of volcanic eruptions, waterfalls, island marshes, flora and fauna.
Gusong Reef is the second largest producer of sea turtle eggs which is made into soups and an island for seagull sightings. Sibutu is prolific with wildlife—hogs, wild roosters, kingfishers, orioles, parrots and canaries.
The congresswoman’s mother, Juana Maquiso Sahali, regional tourism president, has made the island province tourism friendly. There are daily flights from Manila and comfortable accommodations for visitors.
Visitors can visit bars and restaurants, karaoke bars in Bongao or enjoy beach sports. Markets are havens for Chinese and Malaysian products, foodstuffs and local delicacies.
“In the end, people want to see places untouched by nature and how we live,” said Sahali.