The Provincial Office of the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, in Basilan has joined the celebration of the 50th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Basilan dubbed as Tennun Pakaradjaan 2024 on February 27 to March 7, 2024.

With the theme “Basilan @ 50: Advancing Our Gains, Expanding Our Capacities Toward a Better Life for All,” the activity celebrated Tennun, the preserved tradition of tapestry weaving, known as hand-loomed, taught by parents and elders of the Yakans, native inhabitants of Basilan.

MHSD-Basilan Provincial Director (PD) Ibrahim M. Haruddain, LPT, personally witnessed a resonance of holy sacred verses during the Qur’an Memorization and Reading Competition held at the SP Hall & Grandstand Basilan National High School on March 1.

“The Tennun Pakaradjaan Basilan is our yearly celebration for the Bangsamoro Basileños. It is about the preservation of our Yakan culture, especially our weaving of Yakan garments. This is the attire of our forefathers identifying them as Yakan in Basilan. But this celebration is not just for cultural presentation. It also includes Qur’an Memorization Competition, Qur-an Reading, Tumahik, Quiz Bee, Debate Contest, Basketball, Showcase of products through Booths from different municipalities, Peace Caravan, and more. Our President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. (BBM) will also witness this Tennun Pakaradjaan, which symbolizes that Basilan is doing well in its progressive movement and development,” PD Haruddain said.

The Qur’an Memorization Competition was spearheaded by the MHSD-Basilan with the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council, as requested by the Basilan Provincial Government.

Each category had two participants per municipality. The champion, first runner-up and second runner-up per category were awarded cash Prizes from PHP30,000 to PHP5,000, as well as consolation prizes amounting to PHP2,000 each.

The competition also awarded the Champion for Category E, who memorized the whole Qur’an, a free Hajj for this coming Pilgrimage with PHP30,000 cash prize package.

Pres. Marcos visited Basilan on March 2, witnessing the successful implementation of the Small and Light Weapons (SALW) Program that resulted in the recovery, surrender of loose firearms that were destroyed in his presence in Barangay Mahatallang, Sumisip.