The recent upsurge in violence in Basilan province prompted Speaker Prospero C. Nograles to call on his colleagues in the House of Representatives to work for the immediate passage of various legislative measures aimed at eradicating severe poverty in Mindanao.

Nograles underscored the need to put an end to hostilities by addressing the root cause of terrorism troubling Mindanao, which is poverty.

“We can never end the decades-old rebellion and atrocities in Mindanao and other parts of the country if the people are mired in poverty,” the Speaker said, as he endorsed a dozen of bills promoting food security and livelihood opportunities through the development of “mariculture” and fishing industries.

He said the measures were in line with the Arroyo government’s multi-pronged approach to end the war and rebellion in the country, particularly in the war-torn Mindanao.

“Winning the war against poverty will hasten the attainment of a just and lasting peace in the country,” Nograles said in a statement.

According to House Majority Leader Rep. Arthur Defensor of Iloilo, five measures establishing a modified mariculture development parks in 14 municipalities in the provinces of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu have been endorsed for plenary consideration and approval.

The Committee Reports (Nos. 2172 to 2176) were jointly approved and endorsed for plenary approval by the Committees on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo D. Marañon III, and the Committee on Appropriations led by Quirino Rep. Junie Cua.

Both measures, authored by Reps. Nur Jaafar of Tawi-Tawi and Yusop Jikiri of Sulu, aim to “ensure food security in the areas concerned while affording both Christians and Muslims more opportunities for livelihood.”

The measures propose to make the people the “vanguard against the intrusion of extremists and other syndicated criminals who make these areas their sanctuaries.”

The Marañon committee has also scheduled formal public hearings on seven local bills mandating the construction of fish ports in the municipalities of Sibutu, Sitangkai, and the Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi and in the municipalities of Maimbong, Talipao, Panglima Tahil, Pangutaran, Patikul, Indanan Bato-Bato, Parang and Andanan in Sulu province.