ARMM LAUNCHES P1.5 BILLION TELECOMS PROJECT.

MANILA -- The following information was released by the Office of the President of the Philippines:

A May 13, 2011 press release by the Mindanao Development Authority

Remote areas within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will soon be linked globally following the launching today of the P1.5 billion telecommunications project that aims to set-up some 2,000 community e-centers around the region.

According to Atty. Ishak Mastura, chair of the ARMM Board of Investments (ARMM BOI), the project, initiated by EA Trilink Corporation, is the single biggest investment registered in the history of the ARMM BOI.

"This is a clear indication of confidence and a strong message that ARMM is very much open for business," Mastura said during the project launch at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City.

The e-centers will serve as public facilities where people can have one-stop access to different Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services like web resources, e-mail, and voice calls. Such access to information technology in the far-flung areas of Mindanao will provide its people with the benefits of ICT like enhancing communication linkages and obtaining wealth of information resources, among others. ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Adiong has expressed confidence that with this huge investment, "the time is ripe to business in ARMM."

"We take pride in this project and in our continuing efforts to bring progress in the Autonomous Region," he added. Meanwhile, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which has been partnering with ARMM on a number of major peace and development initiatives, has lauded the launching of the telecoms project.

"In spite of infrastructure support challenges, internet use has been growing rapidly especially among the young people of Mindanao," said MinDA chair Luwalhati Antonino in her message at the project launch. Antonino stressed that Mindanao endeavors to seize the opportunities to make use of such technology not just to bring about increased trade and economic activities, but also bridge greater understanding, facilitate interaction, foster unity and cooperation. She added that ICT programs are part of the laid out strategies in the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework, specifically the target for all Local Government Units (LGUs) in Mindanao to have computerized systems and operations, and for all the SMEs to utilize ICT for their business and marketing strategies.

"MinDA is determined to pursue the strategies identified under the Mindanao 2020. No less than President Aquino has recognized the value of this framework in moving forward the necessary actions that will bring about peace and progress in this part of the country."

Aside from the ARMM telecoms project, EA Trilink is also set to pursue ICT connectivity linking Mindanao and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) through a submarine cable connection. The project is strategic for Mindanao's growing ICT sector, which increasingly demands for reliable high speed telecom connection. The project's Feasibility Study is expected to be completed by December this year, according to EA Trilink.

minda.gov.ph