US launches airport, water projects in SuluUS Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney (2nd from right) and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan (3rd from left) lead the groundbreaking for the Jolo runway improvement project. The airport project, a partnership among the Department of Transportation and Communications, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Sulu provincial government and USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, will replace and widen the asphalt runway, and extend it from 1,200 meters to 1,845 meters, to ensure safer airport operations and higher-capacity air linkages between Sulu and the rest of the country. Joining them for the ceremony on October 14 were (l-r): USAID Mission Director Jon Lindborg, Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidula, Governor Abdusakur Tan, and Undersecretary Nabil Tan of the Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process.

The United States government has started implementing another projects in coordination with the Provincial Government of Sulu to improve the Jolo town airport's runway and provide potable running water to the people.

No less than, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney and Sulu Provincial Governor Abdusakur Tan led the launching of the projects in Jolo airport on Tuesday, with top military officials.

The runway improvement project will replace and widen the existing asphalt runway and extend it from 1,200 meters to 1,845 meters to help ensure safer airport operations and higher-capacity air linkages.

"This will improve development and give the citizens of Jolo a chance to be connected to the rest of the Philippines," said Ambassador Kenney. "More importantly, it will give the rest of the country and the world a chance to discover Jolo."

Total air passenger traffic to Jolo grew 30 percent in 2006-2007, making it difficult at times to get seats on existing flight routes, while cargo movement more than quadrupled, according to data from the Air Transportation Office.

In addition, the water project will upgrade the current pumping system by constructing a 200-cubic meter concrete reservoir, installing transmission pipelines totaling 2.5 km, and replacing distribution pipelines and defective meters.

The project will enable the Jolo Mainland Water District to provide potable running water to approximately 70,000 residents of Jolo and adjacent barangays in Indanan and Patikul.

"This will answer a basic need of our people," said Governor Tan at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The airport improvement project is being completed in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Communications, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the provincial government and USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.

The water project, meanwhile, will be undertaken through the joint efforts of Sulu's provincial government, Local Water Utilities Administration, Jolo Mainland Water District, and the GEM Program.

"America is proud to be among the many partners in this project," Kenney said, thanking all agencies involved.

The US Ambassador also visited the Mohammad Tulawie Central School, a beneficiary of USAID education and workforce preparation assistance.

She also met with 90 high school students from various locations in Jolo who are participating in a U.S. Embassy funded two-year English Access Microscholarship program, at the American Corner at the Notre Dame de Jolo University. Press Release