Hadji Muhtamad, a relatively new municipality in Basilan Province having been created through a plebiscite in 2007, presents an opportunity to become a hub for the fishing industry and a world-class beach tourism destination. The main island of this municipality, Pilas Island, stands out as an ancestral domain, holding the unique distinction of being the only Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holder within BARMM. The municipality also faces administrative and organizational challenges as a newly established municipality with limited financial resources. The local fishing industry and tourism sector in Hadji Muhtamad are underdeveloped due to limited resources and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, on its part, the local government is integrating ancestral rights in development plans, combating illegal fishing through monitoring and enforcement measures, promoting sustainable fishing and tourism practices, engaging and empowering the community, investing in infrastructure and resources, and building partnerships with various stakeholders. By safeguarding its waters and embracing sustainable practices, Hadji Muhtamad can protect its ancestral domain, develop its fishing industry, and promote tourism. The vision for the municipality is to become a beacon of sustainable development where cultural heritage preservation, natural resource conservation, and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand.
