A few months ago a former provincial representative of the first district suggested that an army unit or detachment be located or relocated in Baloi, Lanao del Norte.  Per his suggestion this is the way to contain or control the insurgency problem in our area.  Though at first sight the suggestion may seem good, still it is just a temporary solution-it only window dresses the issues but not provide a lasting solution.

Baloi is a vast expanse of fertile land.  Through it traverses the best of lands and the Agus river.  Baloi is also strategically located between Iligan and Marawi.  It was where the once  busy Baloi airport was located-it is still there but not busy anymore.

During the American occupation the place was known as Nangka and was once a busy trading area and melting pot of the Iliganons and the Maranaos.  Today the place is predominantly occupied by the Maranaos and is an Islamic center in Lanao del Norte.

Baloi is also very near to Ditucalan-the home of Maria Cristina falls and near to Buruun, where the famous Timoga swimming pools are located.

I believed with so much natural resources and abundant land Baloi is an ideal location for an export processing zone.  Here we can showcase the best of what the Lanao provinces can give not only locally but even internationally.

Here we can locate the OIC nations for their consular and embassy needs.  From here we can convert the OIC from a mere observer to an active investor in the area.

This area is what I call the Baloi-Iligan Development Authority or BIDA for short very much in the same spirit as the SBMA of Subic but for me much better.  For here we can showcase to the world the best our Maranao brothers can give.  From here we will show the world the blessings of the Maranao culture-a culture like no other in the world!!

BIDA will also be our main tourism destination for our city and for the province.  For here you will see a theme park characterizing the heroism of the Maranao braves and the beauty of the Maranao damsels.  Here you will see a Museum of the Tri-people, showing our children the salsillahs of our forbears and the outstanding legacy of our past.  Here you will see the grand villas of the Sultan of Brunei and the King of Saudi Arabia in one neighborhood.

The main industry I am espousing for BIDA is the exportation of  the best of the  Maranao culture-  okir, malong, palapa, brasswares and marang have all the potentials for an international market.  Iligan can become “the marang capital of the world”-a title held by no other city in the country and in the world.

Iligan and Lanao del Norte have much to offer to our nation and the world.  Let us continue to dream big for our city. “Ang BIDA and ibibida natin sa mundo!!”  Long live the Maranaos and the Iliganons!!

God bless to all!!

President Aji Garbanzos