Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Sarangani launches province-wide development program

By CHARITO S. ANSAGAY

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 18, 2014) - In what could be described as a declaration of war against poverty, Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon has launched Sulong Sarangani, a major province-wide development program specifically designed to address the socio-economic challenges of the province.

Sulong Sarangani is designed to establish a sustainable system of inclusive growth, from a multi-sectoral perspective, which will be measured primarily in terms of economic output and poverty reduction as the secondary indicator.

"Sulong Sarangani, in essence, is a convergence of all resources, which will be used towards evidence-based actions, to bring about God-centered prosperity," said Governor Solon.

For the long term, the Sulong Sarangani program seeks to create a system of sustainable development which can be retuned and adjusted yearly, regardless of future provincial leadership.

"Sustainable development is a crucial aspect of the program in reducing multi-dimensional poverty which, unlike income poverty, also considers a number of social living factors like health, education, access to water and sanitation, environment, food security and even the interests of indigenous and marginalized people," Gov. Solon further explained.

Sulong Sarangani calls for the execution of strategies across the board - in the areas of education, health, environment, peace and order, infrastructure, economic empowerment and disaster preparedness.
The flagship program is in line with the initiatives meant to further accelerate local and foreign investments.

"We are committed to improving the quality of life of Sarangans. That's why we are here. And we believe it can be achieved by finding effective ways to reduce multi-dimensional poverty in different areas starting at the barangay level," Gov. Solon adds.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has been very supportive to the thrust of the governor to ensure a proper yet comprehensive execution of the program. The 2014 Annual Budget of the province was unanimously passed
by the council to support Sulong Sarangani.

A composite team with the executive and legislative department is seen to be beneficial in order to identify development priorities, assess progress and gaps in implementation and seek renewed socio-political
commitments.

Gov. Solon, Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao, Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao and the Board Members are one in calling for "concise, focused, forward-looking and action-oriented programs through the
Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS)."

The CBMS is a method of data collection and processing at the local level which is integrated into local planning, program implementation and impact monitoring to identify critical poverty indicators.

"The need to consolidate public sector service is critical as it will support well-designed social protection and safety net programs of the provincial government that can keep people out of poverty and thereby address the overall poverty levels of the province," Solon added further.

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) recently released a poverty map which clustered Sarangani among the poorest provinces in the country.

The province recorded an increased poverty incidence of 46% in the Official Provincial Poverty Statistics of the Philippines for 1st Semester of 2012. Even lower than previous poverty incidence rates of 41.7% and 47.5% in 2006 and 2009, respectively. Sarangani ranked as the 6th poorest province in the Philippines based on the report. (Charito S. Ansagay/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Governor Solon bares development plans


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (March 17, 2014) - Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon relays development plans for Sarangans to some writers and reporters of national newspapers and a major TV station Saturday, March 15, together with representatives of Coca-Cola Foundation. The partnership with the company could bring in their flagship projects to more communities in the province. (KimTiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Coca-Cola Philippines awards Sarangani's Team BUNDOL


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (March 17, 2014) - Sarangani's Team BUNDOL (Backpackers United for the Defense of Life) mountaineers receive a check amounting to P30,000 Saturday, March 15, for being the Coke Barkada Awardee. This is a special award given to a youth organization that shows togetherness and involvement in community services. The check was handed by the Vice President for Public Affairs and
Communications for Coca-Cola Philippines Atty. Adel Tamano to Team BUNDOL with Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon who has been supporting the group in their advocacies. (Kim Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

PHILDARE program in Sarangani


ALABEL, Sarangani (March 17, 2014) - Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon attends the culmination day of Philippine Drug Abuse Resistance Education (PHILDARE) Monday, March 17, at Capitol Gym. Hundreds of elementary students in Alabel finished the program. Gov. Solon inspired the pupils and reminded them to instill in their hearts what they have learned from the program. DARE is a collaborative effort by DARE law enforcement officers, educators, students, parents and community. It is a series of lessons to help students recognize and resist the temptations that could influence them to be addicted to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants or any other illegal drugs or to engage in violence. (Kim Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Sarangani, testing ground for improved sanitation

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 14, 2014) – Multi-donor partnership and WorldBank-administered Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) is piloting Sarangani with other selected provinces in the country to end open defecation practice by 2016.

The challenge comes in the wake of global efforts to hit the 2015 Millennium Development Goal on sanitation to cut by half the proportion of people without universal access to improved hygiene.

WSP also named Quezon and Negros Oriental provinces as testing areas.

WSP supports poor people in obtaining affordable, safe, and sustainable access to water and sanitation services. It tapped local and national government units, non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private sector to scale up sanitary conditions in the mentioned areas.

Leo De Castro, WSP project coordinator, deemed scaling up rural sanitation as challenging because significant percentage of the population still practice open defection among poor households in the outskirts.

In a report, Sarangani provincial health officer-in-charge Dr. Arvin Alejandro said some 6.1 million poor people and three million others who are extremely poor out of 9.4 million people in rural areas in 2006 have no access to improved sanitation in the country.

He said “absolute number of people living in rural areas are using unimproved toilets and defecating in the open.” This has been a phenomenon among the poor, Alejandro added.

In a global scale, around 2.4 billion people live in unsanitary conditions. He said some 630 million are from East Asia.

In the Philippines, according to Alejandro, Region 12 has contributed 24.8 percent of the total rural populace practicing the habit. Sarangani shared about 18.5 percent in the region.

In Sarangani, these poor families mostly reside in geographically isolated and disparity barangays. These residents are also beneficiaries of the national government’s conditional cash transfer program.

Most of these families do not have sanitary toilets hence open defecation is widely practiced, Alejandro said.

He said open defecation triggered “high rates of under-five morbidity across the province as evidenced by food- and water-borne diseases specifically acute gastroenteritis as the leading cause of admission in all province-ran hospitals from 2007 to 2013.”

In the absence of a structure to oversee sanitation programs in the province, Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon directed the creation of a provincial task force to pursue efforts of achieving zero open defecation status in Sarangani.

Alejandro said the provincial government has already tapped NGOs and some private sector partners in the provision of low-cost sanitary facilities to these poor households.

Currently, Alejandro calculates that Sarangani is already at 82 percent sanitation coverage. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

High school students get free dental services

By JOY R. SEVILLA

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (March 14, 2014) – After the conduct of successive medical missions sponsored by the provincial government that benefited thousands of patients from both Sarangani and South Cotabato in February this year, another free dental services was sponsored by the province at Lun Padidu National High School Thursday, March 13.

The activity, dubbed as “Sa Ngiping Garantisado, sa Pag-aaral ay Ganado,” served 300 high school students of Lun Padidu National High School.

Agnes Caberoy, the activity in-charge, said the dental mission was scheduled in February. However, it was re-scheduled due to the conduct of successive medical missions also sponsored by the provincial government in the same month.

“This activity is in coordination with the municipal health office with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA)-General Santos City Chapter. The provincial government, through its health office, sponsored P20,000 for medical supplies,” said Caberoy.

She added there were 10 doctors from the PDA who volunteered and some dental aides from the municipality.

The activity is conducted on a “first come-first served” basis.

“Two days before ang activity na ito, the members of our barangay dental auxiliary already conducted pre-check up sa mga estudyante na nagpalista,” Caberoy said.

As the in-charge of medical activities in the school, she initiates free dental and medical services every two years by tapping potential partners.

“Expensive din kasi ‘pag palagi. I started looking for partners in 2002. Every two years akong nagri-request sa kanila na magconduct ng free medical services dito sa school namin. May mga times na twice a year ang activities na ganito, meron ding once a year lang,” she explained.

Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, on the other hand, said the activity is part of the Governor’s Office’s Serbisyong Sarangan Community Outreach Program, which started when he was still the vice governor.

He said programs such as these should be continued because the target beneficiaries are those who are in the community. The program, he added, is intended to deliver free services to the communities where it is mostly needed.

On February 15 to 23, the provincial government also spearheaded a medical mission in coordination with the local government of General Santos and the World Surgical Foundation headed by its founder and president Dr. Domingo Alvear from Pennsylvania, USA.

Dr. Alvear was with some 65 physicians including medical aides from the USA who volunteered, while a total of 142 beneficiaries from Sarangani and General Santos City were served during the activity.

On February 24, another medical mission spearheaded by the RD Foundation, in coordination with the province of Sarangani, General Santos, and South Cotabato, was successfully held serving more than 1,000 patients.

The activity was supported by the Canadian Medical Mission Society. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

High school students get free dental services


MALAPATAN, Sarangani (March 14, 2014)- Some 300 students benefit from the free dental services sponsored by the Provincial Government of Sarangani at Lun Padidu National High School Thursday, March 13. The activity was supported by the Philippine Dental Association-General Santos City Chapter. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Government grants P0.8 million assistance to former rebels

By JOY R. SEVILLA

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 10, 2014) - The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) turned over checks amounting to P845,000 to 13 rebel returnees from Malapatan, Malungon, Glan, and Alabel at the Capitol Monday (March 10).
             
Lizette Lopez, supervisor of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) for Rebel Returnees under the PSWDO, said that the rebel returnees (2 women and 11 men) surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines between 2011 and 2014.

The rebel returnees each received a check amounting to P65,000 as immediate and livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) fund.

"Yung cash assistance galing yun sa OPAPP, ang part ng local government ay yung pag-conduct ng training sa kanila at pati na rin yung monitoring. We conduct a quarterly monitoring sa lahat ng mga nakatanggap ng assistance to ensure na may nangyayaring pagbabago sa buhay nila," Lopez explained.

CLIP is a program under the Sulong Kapayapaan of the Sulong Sarangani Program, a flagship program of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon to alleviate poverty in the grassroots.

The rebel returnees will also avail one year PhilHealth coverage which is reinforced by the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

"We have expanded the program through our Comprehensive Local Integration for former rebels under Sulong Kapayapaan. Our beneficiaries are given one year free Philhealth services," Governor Solon said.

Of the P65,000 given to each returnee, P50,000 was apportioned as livelihood assistance while the remaining P15,000 was allocated as immediate assistance which includes food, medicine and transportation.

Lopez said before the turn-over of checks, the provincial government through the PSWDO, had conducted trainings for the returnees on how to manage the assistance they will get from the government.

The livelihood trainings conducted to the returnees include animal dispersal and additional farm inputs.

"Ngayon lang na-turn over ang mga tseke kasi may mga transitions na nangyari sa mga papeles nila," Lopez said.

All returnees belonged to the Category A of the New People's Army (NPA), she said. People in the Category A are identified as combatants while Category B are grouped as supporters.

Lopez said that as of 2006, PSWDO has recorded a total of 349 rebel returnees who were given assistance by the government.

"May mga iba kasi na sinabi nila na bumalik-loob na sila sa gobyerno pero hindi sila lumapit sa AFP or sa gobyerno kaya hindi pa rin sila counted. Ang counted ay yun lang lumapit sa gobyerno at nabigyan ng assistance," Lopez asserted.

She further said that aside from the trainings and the monitoring that the PSWDO will conduct for the rebel returnees, PSWDO will also link them to other departments of the local government like the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) to sustain what they have learned during their training.

The OPAG will be implementing the FAITH (Food Always In The Homes) Garden, also under the Sulong Sarangani Program.

"Kailangan kasi nating siguruhin na hindi mamamatay ang assistance na ibibigay sa kanila kundi lalago pa," said Lopez.

In an interview, a male rebel returnee, 26, and father of two, said he decided to surrender to government authorities after two years of joining the NPA forces because he realized that the promises made for him to join the group did not materialize.

"Nakita nako nga wala'y kaayohan ug wala ko'y kaugmaon didto pati pud akong pamilya. Nisulod ko didto kay gipasaligan man mi nga kung mo-apil mi sa ilaha, ang mga naay pamilya makadawat mi og P4,000 kada bulan, mao nga akong gi-testingan. Pero pila na man ka bulan ang nilabay, wala man gihapon, binuang ra man ang ilaha," he said.

He claimed that he was encouraged to surrender to government authorities because he heard that the government is giving livelihood assistance to rebel returnees.

"Ang akong plano sa akong madawat nga kwarta, akoa g'yud paningkamutan nga modaghan aron dili na ko maglisod. Gamiton nako sa butang nga mapuslan," he said.

He admitted that he received threats from his former comrades, however, he boldly said that he is firm with his decision of returning to the government.

On the other hand, Col. Paterno Morales, deputy brigade commander of the 1002nd Brigade of the Philippine Army, congratulated the rebel returnees and encouraged them to use their cash assistance wisely so that more and more rebels will be enticed to surrender.

"Ang hiling po namin ay gamitin ninyo ng mabuti ang assistance na matatanggap ninyo nang sa gayon ay umangat ang inyong kabuhayan. Alam ninyo na marami pa kayong mga kasama, pwede kayong maging tulay para mahikayat sila na bumaba at makapag-bagong buhay," Morales said. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Retiree receives “pabaon" from Sarangani union


ALABEL, Sarangani (March 10, 2014) - Sarangani Province Employees Union (SPEU) president Anacleto "Bobby" Saya-ang and SPEU secretary Amelia Catolico award a check to provincial security guard Rogelio Iroy during the flag raising ceremony at the Capitol Monday, March 10. Iroy, who retires after serving the government for 20 years, is the first recipient of the "Pabaon Program" of the SPEU amounting to P140,000. The "pabaon" is given to a retiree from the consolidated contribution of the 700 SPEU members of P200 each. Aside from the "pabaon", Iroy is also entitled to get 50% of his total contribution to the SPEU. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Rebel returnees get cash assistance from government


ALABEL, Sarangani (March 10, 2014) - Raquel Panal (extreme left), head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and Mariter Sayson (2nd from left), OIC Provincial Administrator, turnover checks amounting to P65,000 each to 13 former rebels at the Capitol Monday, March 10. Of the P65,000, P50,000 was apportioned as livelihood assistance, while the remaining P15,000 was allocated as immediate assistance that includes food, medicine and transportation. The former rebels were from Alabel (2 rebel returnees), Malapatan (4), Glan (2) and Malungon (5). Also in photo are Col. Paterno Morales (3rd from left), deputy brigade commander of the 1002nd Brigade of the Philippine Army; Police Chief Inspector Joffel Remudaro (5th from left) of the Sarangani Provincial Police Office; and Flor Limpin (5th from right), provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Solon presents Sulong Kalusugan at health summit


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (March 10, 2014)- Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gives his message of support during the opening day of 1st Municipal Health and Sanitation Summit of Malungon at Family Country Hotel Monday, March 10. Governor Solon also introduced his Sulong Kalusugan program to the local officials of Malungon as he promised 100% support to them under his administration. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

"Criminals have no place in Sarangani" – Governor Solon

By JOY R. SEVILLA

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 6, 2014) - "Criminals have no place in Sarangani." This was the bold statement of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon during a press conference at the Capitol Compound Monday (March 3), following the ambush of Maitum Mayor George Perrett on February 28.

Perrett was hit on his leg and was treated at the Maitum Municipal Hospital. He was transferred to a hospital in General Santos City where he suffered cardiac arrest that caused his death.

Today, March 6, 2014, the late Mayor Perrett is finally laid to rest.

Solon said the local government is coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in consolidating information   regarding the incident which led to Perrett's death.

"I have talked with the PNP and all angles are being investigated and reviewed. The PNP has now initiated the forming of 17 highly competent people from all branches of the PNP," said Solon.

Police Chief Superintendent Lester Camba, regional director of the Police Regional Office XII, said they have recommended the formation of the "Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Perrett", as directed by the governor to spearhead and coordinate the investigation and prosecutorial efforts of the Sarangani Provincial Police Office (SPPO) and to facilitate the speedy resolution and successful prosecution of the case and eventual conviction of the perpetrator.

"Sa ngayon, wala pang suspect, the motive is also still not identified. But we are considering all angles including politics," Camba said.

Police Senior Superintendent Edwin Minion, SITG commander, on the other hand, committed to inform the local government and the media should there be any progress in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Camba appealed to the people of Maitum to cooperate in the investigation, saying that the PNP cannot solve the case without a witness.

"Trabaho namin na i-solve ang kaso. We are hopeful that with the creation of the SITG ay umusad ang kaso. Hindi lang ito trabaho ng PNP kaya umaapela kami sa mga taga-Maitum na kung may nalalaman kayo, at kung mahal ninyo ang mayor ninyo, magbigay kayo ng impormasyon para umusad ang kaso," he said.

On February 28, Mayor Perrett, together with his wife, former mayor of Maitum Elsie Lucille Perrett and five others, were ambushed by unidentified armed men at about 10:30 p.m. while on their way home onboard a black Toyota Fortuner after attending a program at the Municipal Gym.

The Mayor, who drove his vehicle, was shot along the national highway of purok Bugo, barangay Malalag in Maitum less than two kilometers away from the town proper. He managed to escape the ambush site and continued driving until they reached the police 3rd Maneuver Company detachment at Riverside in barangay Kalaneg.

The other persons identified by the police onboard Perrett's vehicle are former Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett; Lilibeth Naungayan, 54 years old, the mayor's secretary; Jaynne Anne Rios, 15 years old, 3rd year high school student; and Zenaida Oding, 40, and Marilyn Bacomo, 45, both helpers. They were all unharmed during the incident.

However, one Adelma Andal, 32, another helper of the Perretts, was injured at her left leg and was treated at the hospital as out-patient.

The personnel of the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) recovered empty shells of caliber .45, 12 gauge shotgun and 5.56 weapon at the crime scene.

Perrett was the fourth Maitum mayor who was shot dead by unidentified suspects. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Provincial Joint Peace Security Coordinating Center holds meeting


ALABEL, Sarangani (March 1, 2014) – The Provincial Joint Peace Security Coordinating Center conducts a meeting together with officers of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, 27th Infantry Battalion, Sarangani Provincial Police Office and the Regional Public Safety Battalion Friday, February 28. (Marvin Soler/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Provincial Joint Peace Security Coordinating Center formed


ALABEL, Sarangani (March 1, 2014) – The Provincial Joint Peace Security Coordinating Center is formed with the signing Friday, February 28, of the Joint Implementing Plan with (from left) Lt. Col. Patricio Amata, commanding officer of 73rd Infantry Battalion; police provincial director of Sarangani PSSUPT Edwin Sollera Minion and Lt. Col. Shalimar Imperial, commanding officer of 27th Infantry Battalion. The coordinating center would prescribe the policies, guidelines and procedure to strengthen and institutionalize the convergence and fusion of efforts in providing security for all vital government and private projects, undertakings, facilities and equipment within urban and rural areas. (Marvin Soler/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Kiamba school is 3rd Placer in Kalilangan 3014



GENERAL SANTOS CITY (March 1, 2014) – Dancers from the JBT Caing Elementary School of Kiamba earned the 3rd Place in the "Kadsagayan sa Buyang: Street Dance Competition" during the last day of Kalilangan 2014 Thursday, February 27. The James L. Chiongbian National Trade School (formerly Kling National High School) was 1st Place while the General Santos City School of Arts and Trade took 2nd Place. JBT Caing Elementary School of barangay Tambilil, Kiamba in Sarangani received a trophy and P100,000 cash prize. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Chiongbian school tops Kalilangan streetdance contest


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (March 1, 2014) - The James L. Chiongbian National Trade School (formerly Kling National High School), one of the two performing arts groups from Kiamba, Sarangani bagged the 1st Place in the "Kadsagayan sa Buyang: Street Dance Competition" during the last day of Kalilangan 2014 Thursday, February 27. Six contingents joined the Kalilangan street dancing competition coinciding with the 75th Foundation Anniversary of General Santos City. The James L. Chiongbian National Trade School dancers received a trophy and cash prize of 200,000 and best in choreography award. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

3 doctors among new PPSS scholar-graduates


ALABEL, Sarangani (February 26, 2014) – New midwife Kimberly Abdulhan expresses her gratefulness for the support of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon to the Paaral Para Sa Sarangan (PPSS) scholarship program during the flag-raising ceremony at Capitol Monday, February 24. Abdulhan and eight other PPSS scholars had finished their college studies and passed their board examinations. PPSS is under Gov. Solon’s Sulong Karunungan and Sulong Kalusugan program. The medical board passers are Jec Pane of barangay San Roque, Malungon; Lormie Bermudez of barangay Tamban, Malungon and Cindy Loyola of barangay Malalag, Maitum. The midwifery board passers are Maricel Legante of barangay Kaltuad, Glan; Mia Quinte of barangay Calpidong, Glan; Ma. Leonora Mae Danding of barangay Kapatan, Glan; Chero Lara of barangay Tapon, Glan; Renee Mae Barnachea of barangay Small Margus, Glan; Mylene Tagum of barangay Tamadang, Kiamba; Charlyn Gale Lazelle of barangay Ticulab, Maitum; and Chary Mae Pregoner of barangay Kabatiol, Maasim. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Euro Care Pharma donates Biosaint for anti dengue


ALABEL, Sarangani (February 26, 2014)- Euro Care Pharma Inc. led by general manager Dean Camua (2nd from right) donates P100,000 worth of Biosaint mosquito killer to the provincial government thru OIC-Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro (4th from left). This is in support to the Sulong Kalusugan anti dengue program of the province. Also in photo are Alice Villanueva (3rd from right), Euro Care Pharma vice president for finance, and Rizza Lao (4th from right) marketing consultant of Euro Care Pharma Inc. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Solon starts Sulong Karunungan in Sarangani


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (February 26, 2014) - Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon delivers his thanksgiving message to Sarangani teachers and urged them to continue and support his Sulong Karunungan program. The governor talked before the teachers during the Special Management Committee Meeting and Fellowship Dinner held at Phela Grande Hotel on February 21. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Solon thanks outgoing ASDS


GENERAL, SANTOS CITY (February 24, 2014) – Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (extreme right) hands over a Plaque of Appreciation to Ruth Estacio (2nd from right) for her dedication and commitment in serving Sarangani Province as Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education. The tribute was held at Phela Grande Hotel on February 21. Also in photo are Isagani Dela Cruz (extreme left), Schools Division Superintendent; Dan Evans (2nd from left), consultant under the Sulong Karunungan program of Governor Solon; and Donna Panes (center), office-in-charge, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

PLGU extends support to ANSHS researchers


ALABEL, Sarangani (February 26, 2014) – Eight Alabel National Science High School (ANSHS) student-researchers were honored during the Capitol flag-raising ceremony Monday (February 24). Ellaine Plaga, a second year ANSHS, student bagged 2nd place in the 11th National Science Quest held at Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City on February 10-12. She was a Cluster 2, Individual Category, Life Science contender. Seven other students from ANSHS were among the top 10 finalists from 50 contenders all throughout the country. They are Donn Kirby Lumayag (Life Science, Individual Category); Luke John Delos Reyes, Zyril Jay Clavel and Prince Jann Dela Cruz (Applied Science, Team Category) and Mae Antonette Espanto, Christine Joy Gomez and Yona Justine Africa (Life Science, Team Category). Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon volunteered to help the eight researchers in their future research endeavors. He said these students have a brighter future in the field of science, thus a P2 million worth of science laboratory will be put up to enhance the skills and competency of the students of ANSHS. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

PLGU extends support to ANSHS researchers

By ZYRIL CLAVEL

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 26, 2014) – Accolades were given to Alabel National Science High School (ANSHS) student-researchers during the Capitol flag-raising ceremony Monday (February 24)for pride rendered to the provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Sarangani.

Ellaine Plaga, a second year ANSHS, student bagged 2nd place in the 11th National Science Quest held at Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City on February 10-12. She was a Cluster 2, Individual Category, Life Science contender.

Aside from Plaga’s victory, seven other students from ANSHS were among the top 10 finalists from 50 contenders all throughout the country.

These students are Donn Kirby Lumayag (Life Science, Individual Category); Luke John Delos Reyes, Zyril Jay Clavel and Prince Jann Dela Cruz (Applied Science, Team Category) and Mae Antonette Espanto, Christine Joy Gomez and Yona Justine Africa (Life Science, Team Category).

This annual event organized and sponsored by the National Association of Science Educators of the Philippines aimed to enhance the science and research skills and develop the camaraderie amongst young scientists.

This years’ theme was “Science and Technology Advancement: Enhancing Quality of Life Through Invention and Research”.

Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon volunteered to help the eight researchers in their future research endeavors. He said these students have a brighter future in the field of science, thus a P2 million worth of science laboratory will be put up to enhance the skills and competency of the students of ANSHS.
 
Admiring comments were also given to their advisers Dexter Necor and Michelle Pardillo for their untiring support to the students.
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The researchers were planning to join in other national and even international science fair competitions. “I am willing to contribute to the future evolutions of your study,” Gov. Solon added. (Zyril Clavel of ANSHS for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)