2 Sarangani towns get senior citizens’ building from VP Binay

MANILA (September 30, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon pays a courtesy call to Vice President Jejomar Binay. Vice President Binay pledged to give a senior citizens’ building each for Glan and Maitum and to continuously support the province of Sarangani. (Photo courtesy: Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay)

Local government, rebels, monitoring teams talk peace

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 30, 2011) - Mayor Elsie Perrett welcomes participants to the 5th GPH-MILF IMT and LMT (Philippine Government – Moro Islamic Liberation Front – International Monitoring Team and Local Monitoring Team) joint meeting on September 28 at the Maitum mini-auditorium. Mayor Perrett said: “This gathering is providential. We are here to discuss on how to keep peace in our community because this is very vital. We want our people to sleep well. This is also an avenue to bring up information and problems and what we can do to change the attitude of everybody so that we can all get along well regardless of what tribe we belong. Peace should be lasting in order for us to attain progress." The joint meeting was participated in by members of the IMT, Non-Violent Peace Force, Mindanao People's Caucus, Kalinaw Sarangani Unit, local police and military officers and local officials. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Peace talks briefing in local level

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 30, 2011) - Jocelyn Kanda, Sarangani Kalinaw Unit program manager, briefs the participants on the latest GPH-MILF (Philippine Government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front) peace talks. "Eight out of ten Filipinos are hopeful that we will achieve lasting peace. I am sure, the peace panel will find a solution but it will take a long time to arrive at a common understanding," Kanda said. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

1st placer of Saf’kaan dancing contest

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 30, 2011) - Malandag National High School is this year's champion for the Safkaan Festival street dancing competition held on Thursday, September 29, at barangay Malandag plaza. The barangay celebrated its abundant farm products from which Saf’kaan Festival was named after. Saf’kaan is the native word for food. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Saf’kaan Festival showdown yield 2nd placer

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 30, 2011) – The contingent from Malandag Institute Incorporated performs for the final showdown of Saf’kaan Festival street dancing competition Thursday, September 29, at barangay Malandag plaza. The group won 2nd place. Saf’kaan is the native word for food. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

The 3rd placer of Saf’kaan dancing contest

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 30, 2011) - Elementary pupils of Lower Lamcanal chant as they perform to win 3rd place at the Saf’kaan Festival street dancing competition Thursday, September 29, at the barangay plaza. The barangay celebrated its abundant farm products from which Saf’kaan Festival was named after. Saf’kaan is the native word for food. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Philippine mango industry positioning “strongly” in world market

By BEVERLY PAOYON

GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani (September 29, 2011) - Mango industry players were positioning Philippine mango strongly in the world market by maximizing efficiency in the cost service and logistics areas, an industry officer said.

Virginia de la Fuente, president of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc., also urged mango stakeholders – mango growers, contract sprayers/financiers, input suppliers, nursery operators, exporters/traders, processors and logistics providers to “unite and actively participate in all our advocacies and undertakings for the improvement of, if not to save our mango industry and position our Philippine mango strongly in the world market.”

She appealed to the Department of Agriculture to “empower and capacitate the mango industry associations and for any other industry association for that matter by consulting the industry leaders in planning exercises to prioritize and craft programs, providing reasonable grants to implement and achieve plans through the national organizations and instituting control mechanism.”

De la Fuente said Mindanao has the “potential” for mango production with SOCSARGEN (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City) having the largest number of hectarage and production.

“Because of this climate change I am now campaigning that mango production will be made here in Mindanao,” de la Fuente told delegates at the 13th National Mango Congress Wednesday (September 28).

“Mindanao produces only 35% of the total national production but we have the potential,” she said.

Sixty-five percent of the produce is coming from Pangasinan and the rest of Luzon.

In a message to the delegates, Rep. Manny Pacquiao said the mango congress is an indication for a stronger partnership to “heighten commitment to increase the competitiveness of the Philippine mango in world market and develop more production areas in Mindanao.”

Pacquiao also asked mango industry players “to maximize the production and export potentials of the Philippine mango industry. We will utilize this mango congress as a dynamic platform to learn as much as we can to ensure the strongest position in the world market.”

The three-day mango congress being held at world-class Isla Jardin del Mar resort in Gumasa ends on September 30. (Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani is worth investing in

GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani (September 29, 2011) – “You had given us the chance to prove that Sarangani is worth investing in” says Sarangani Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit (Sanggunian Chairperson of the Committee on Trade and Industry), representing Governor Migs Dominguez, during the opening ceremony of the 13th National Mango Congress at Isla Jardin del Mar resort on Wednesday, September 28. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

National Mango Congress host assures guests

GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani (September 29, 2011) – Mayor James Victor Yap Sr. of the host municipality assures the peacefulness of his place during the opening ceremony of the 13th National Mango Congress at Isla Jardin del Mar resort Wednesday, September 28. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mango galore at Pacman’s Farm

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 29, 2011) – Participants of the 13th National Mango Congress enjoy mangoes from Sarangani during their tour of Pacman’s Farm on the first day of the congress Wednesday, September 28. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mango congress delegates tour processing plant

POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato (September 29, 2011) – The 13th National Mango Congress delegates gather for a film viewing at Trully Natural Food Corporation (TNFC) on the first day of the congress Wednesday, September 28. TNFC is one of the biggest producers of mango in SOCSARGEN (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City). (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gumasa sunset during mango congress

GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani (September 28, 2011) - A small fishing boat is
seen from Isla Jardin del Mar resort as it sails for a fishing
expedition to the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape Wednesday,
September 28. While the sun sets, the 13th National Mango Congress
unfolds in Gumasa. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sunset watching in National Mango Congress venue

GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani (September 28, 2011) - A delegate to the 13th
National Mango Congress gazes at the horizon Wednesday, September 28,
from Isla Jardin del Mar resort in typhoon-free Sarangani. (Cocoy
Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

13th National Mango Congress opens in Gumasa, Sarangani

GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani (September 28, 2011) - (L-R) Manny Abad,
CARP-National program manager, Department of Trade and Industry; Board
Member Eleanor Saguiguit; Virgie dela Fuente, president of Philippine
Mango Industry Foundation, Inc.; Mayor Victor James Yap Sr. and Jimmy
Olivo of the Regional Field Unit, Department of Agriculture cut the
ribbon to formally open the agri-trade fair exhibit and trade show at
the opening program of the three-day 13th National Mango Congress
Wednesday, September 28, at Isla Jardin Del Mar resort in Gumasa. The
event is organized by the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc.
and hosted by Sarangani Federation of Fruit Industry Association, Inc.
with this year’s theme: “Positioning the Philippine Mango Industry
Strongly in the World Market.” (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION
OFFICE)

The hopes in education for Sarangani kids

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 28, 2011) - Anne Edday, project manager of QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today), presents the challenges and hopes in education to participants of the Education Summit for the municipality of Alabel Wednesday, September 28, at the municipal gymnasium. Stakeholders have been pursuing the education agenda thru commitment and accountability with the targets of increasing the participation rate, completion rate, and achievement rate for elementary pupils by the year 2013. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Patient gets free dental service

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 28, 2011) – Dr. Nilda Nisperos performs a dental procedure at the medical mission sponsored by Sarangani Energy Corporation in partnership with the Provincial Governor’s and Vice Governor’s offices Wednesday, September 28, at Kamanga Barangay Hall. The event was also participated in by the SocSKSarGen Oncology Nurses Association, 73rd Infantry Battalion, Kapayapaan Kapatid Council, municipal government of Maasim and barangay council of Kamanga. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Indigent patients avail of medical check up

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 28,2011) - A volunteer nurse checks the blood pressure of one of the indigent patients at the medical and dental outreach of Sarangani Energy Corporation in partnership with the Provincial Governor’s and Vice Governor’s offices Wednesday, September 28, at Kamanga Barangay Hall. The event was also participated in by SocSKSarGen Oncology Nurses Association, 73rd Infantry Battalion, Kapayapaan Kapatid Council, municipal government of Maasim and barangay council of Kamanga. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Hot meals for medical mission beneficiaries

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 28, 2011) - Volunteers from Alcantara Foundation prepare arroz caldo for serving to volunteers and patients who avail of the free medical and dental services during the medical mission sponsored by Sarangani Energy Corporation. The mission was in partnership with the Provincial Governor’s and Vice Governor’s offices Wednesday, September 28, at Kamanga Barangay Hall. The event was also participated in by the SocSKSarGen Oncology Nurses Association, 73rd Infantry Battalion, Kapayapaan Kapatid Council, municipal government of Maasim and barangay council of Kamanga. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Education Agenda 2013 thru commitment and accountability

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 28, 2011) – Dr. Allan Farnazo, Sarangani Schools Division Superintendent, presents the Education Agenda for 2013 to participants of the Education Summit for the Municipality of Alabel Wednesday, September 28, at the municipal gymnasium. Stakeholders have been pursuing the education agenda thru commitment and accountability with the targets of increasing the participation rate, completion rate, and achievement rate for elementary pupils by the year 2013. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Food carts at Saf’kaan Festival

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 27, 2011) – Carts decorated with farm products compete at the “Karo Float Parade” with winners (L-R) 3rd placer from sitio Lower Lamcanal, 2nd placer from sitio Upper Lamcanal and 1st placer from sitio Buayan. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mayor joins thanksgiving celebration

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 27, 2011) - Mayor Reynaldo Constantino delivers his message at the opening program of Saf'kaan Festival 2011 Tuesday, September 27, at barangay Malandag plaza. Saf'kaan which means food, is a thanksgiving celebration for the good harvest of its farmlands. Barangay Malandag is known for its agricultural products and high value crops. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Winning float at Saf’kaan Festival

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 27, 2011) - Residents and barangay officials pose at the farm products-decorated cart that won 1st place during the “Karo Float Parade” as it highlights the opening of Saf’kaan Festival 2011 at barangay Malandag plaza. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ang batang Sarangan, dapat nasa paaralan

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 26, 2011) – Governor Migs Dominguez talks about “the faces of poverty” and the solutions to resolve it during the recent Education Summit at Maasim Municipal Gymnasium. The governor emphasized that “Ang batang Sarangan, dapat nasa paaralan (the Sarangan child must be in school).” (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Maasim Mayor delivers education report

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 26, 2011) – Mayor Jose Zamorro reports the status and development of Maasim in terms of its education system and how to help it upgrade its public education system to achieve the best quality of education. It was the mayor’s first ever State of the Municipal Education Address. The summit was facilitated by QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today). (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Student attends Education Summit

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 26, 2011) – A student from Colon National High school jots down notes while Governor Migs Dominguez speaks at the Education Summit at Maasim Municipal Gymnasium recently. (Abner Arzaga/ MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Sarangani to adopt “JLC Capitol Building” tag

By COCOY SEXCION


ALABEL, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) – The naming of Sarangani
Provincial Capitol as JLC Capitol Building in honor of its founder, the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian, shall take effect immediately upon the approval of an ordinance.

Draft Ordinance No. 2011-7-08 was jointly sponsored by Board Members Eugene Alzate, Cornelio Martinez, Elmer de Peralta, Alexander Bryan Reganit, Hermie Galzote, Eleanor Saguiguit, Virgilio Clark Tobias, Limuel Gacula, Benedicto Ruiz II, Abdulracman Pangolima, George Perrett, Arman Guili and Victor James Yap Jr.

The ordinance noted that other than the world-class coastal highway, the Provincial Capitol Building serves as a prominent feature of the province’s infrastructure development achieved under the initiative of the late Rep. Chiongbian.

Sarangani was created in 1992 as a new province from then the 3rd District of South Cotabato.

“As a new province at that time, Congressman James L. Chiongbian
tirelessly accessed funds and implemented social and economic
infrastructure like farm-to-market roads, bridges, flood control, school buildings, spring and water development, irrigation, municipal hospitals, sea walls and ports,” according to the draft ordinance.

“He granted scholarships to poor but deserving students of the province, provided livelihood programs and sponsored and co-sponsored hundreds of House bills with local and national applications.”

In addition, the ordinance stated that “enough space” would be provided “outside the main Provincial Capitol building for the institution of a statue, signage, memorabilia, and/or any landmarks representing the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian and his remarkable accomplishments for the Province of Sarangani and the whole SOCSARGEN area.”

The ordinance also provides for activities to be conducted honoring the deeds of the late Congressman during foundation anniversaries of the province, with appropriation to be included in the regular subsidy of the provincial government.

The Sarangani Provincial Employees Union through its president Anacleto Saya-ang has expressed support to the ordinance.

In a letter sent to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Saya-ang said “we in the Sarangani Provincial Employees Union (SPEU) are very much supportive to the draft ordinance of the honorable board members naming the main Provincial Capitol Building of the Provincial Government of Sarangani as Congressman James L. Chiongbian (JLC) Building.”

Aside from the creation of Sarangani as a province through Republic Act No. 7228, Congressman Chiongbian also authored Republic Act No. 5412 otherwise known as the Charter of General Santos City. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

JLC Capitol Building

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) - An ordinance, with legislative enactment title “JLC (James L. Chiongbian) Capitol Building”, will soon be in effect upon its approval as all board members support and jointly sponsored the ordinance. The naming of the Sarangani Provincial Capitol building into JLC Capitol Building is to give honor to the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian, the founding father of Sarangani Province as well as the Charter of General Santos City. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani’s landmark

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) - The Provincial Capitol building, Sarangani’s landmark, will soon be named after its founding father the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian through an ordinance jointly sponsored and unanimously supported by all legislators of the province during its regular session on September 13. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Hundreds join coastal clean-up, mangrove planting

By COCOY SEXCION


MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the coast of barangay Poblacion for a coastal clean-up and mangrove planting and growing activity Friday (September 16) in observance of the month-long international coastal clean-up celebration.

“Today, we are going to plant 1,000 mangrove seedlings. This activity is our contribution to the international coastal clean-up celebration and this is also part of the commitment of the Alcantara Group of Companies to plant 50,000 mangroves all around Sarangani Bay in the next three years from 2011 to 2013,” said Richlie Lyndon Magtulis, executive director of Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc. (CLAFI).

“We are doing this because we are very dependent on Sarangani Bay in our businesses. For almost 50 years, the Agri Business Unit of the Alcantara Group has been relying on Sarangani Bay, so in return, we would like to preserve and protect the bay not only for our benefits but for the benefit of the people in Sarangani as well,” Magtulis added.

The event was spearheaded by CLAFI in partnership with the local government of Malapatan and provincial government of Sarangani through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. It was participated in by volunteers from Department of Education, Malapatan Police Station, 73rd Infantry Battalion, social welfare beneficiaries, Department of Interior and Local Government, and barangay officials and employees of the host barangay.

“This is all part of our campaign under the peace and development outreach program of the battalion. We are helping the LGUs and the community in the conduct of environmental protection,” said Lt. Nestor Valenzuela, commanding officer of the Alpha Company, 73rd IB.

“Rest assured that the 73rd IB will continue to support any activity with regards to preservation and protection of the environment,” he added.

In Sarangani, there 27 different species of mangroves out of the 54 endemic in the whole country, said provincial environment employee Jopy Caneda in his briefing on mangroves and solid waste management .

He said that in Sarangani 300,000 kilos of waste are generated everyday, 70% of which are biodegradable and almost 20% percent of those that are plastics are thrown in the bay.


“Since it’s coastal clean-up celebration, let’s manage our waste and start cleaning our bay,” Caneda said. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Free medicines for indigent patients

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Employees of Southern Philippines Power Corporation (SPPC) and volunteers prepare the medicines for distribution for free to indigent patients during the medical outreach Friday, September 16, at the barangay hall and multi-purpose center of Maribulan. The medical mission was sponsored by SPPC in partnership with the Provincial Governor’s Office, General Santos Doctors Hospital, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc., PNP Alabel and Barangay Council of Maribulan and it benefited 550 indigent patients. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Medical mission for hundreds of patients

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) – Dr. Norma Navarro checks a patient during a medical outreach Friday, September 16, at Maribulan barangay hall as (from left, standing) Joel Aton of Sarangani Energy Corporation and SPPC executives observe. The medical mission was sponsored by Southern Philippines Power Corporation in partnership with the Provincial Governor’s Office, General Santos Doctors Hospital, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc., PNP Alabel and Barangay Council of Maribulan and it benefited 550 indigent patients. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

CLAFI executive director takes the lead

MALATAPAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Richlie Lyndon Magtulis, executive director of CLAFI (Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc.), leads volunteers at the mangrove planting and growing activity Friday, September 16, in observance of the international coastal clean-up month. The activity was organized by CLAFI in partnership with the local government of Malapatan, ABU/FHI, SPPC, Sarangani Energy Corporation and provincial environment and natural resources office. It was participated in by volunteers from the Department of Education, Malapatan police, 73rd IB, 4Ps beneficiaries, DILG, barangay officials, LGU-Sarangani and barangay officials and employees of the host barangay. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Coastal clean-up month

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - In observance of the international coastal clean-up month, the local government of Malapatan, provincial government of Sarangani and ALSONS Corporation through its foundation, the Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (CLAFI), organized a mangrove planting and growing activity Friday, September 16, at the shore of barangay Poblacion. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Social welfare beneficiaries join environment protection

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Beneficiaries of DSWD’s Pantawind Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) join the mangrove planting and growing activity Friday, September 16, in observance of the international coastal clean-up month. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Soldier prepares mangrove hills

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011)- Army Corporal Peter Maquiling of the 73rd Infantry Battalion prepares mangrove seedlings for planting Friday, September 16, at the shore of barangay Poblacion. The activity was joined by volunteers from the Department of Education, Malapatan police, 73rd IB, 4P’s beneficiaries, DILG, barangay officials, LGU-Sarangani and barangay officials and employees of the host barangay. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Soldiers plant mangrove hills

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) – Lt. Nestor Valenzuela (center) of the 73rd Infantry Battalion leads his troops as they join other volunteers in the mangrove planting and growing activity Friday, September 16, in observance of the international coastal clean-up month at the coast of barangay poblacion. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Burning of marijuana

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Vice Mayor Tito Balazon (left), who is acting mayor, leads the burning of uprooted fully grown marijuana hills. The bulk of uprooted marijuana was burned earlier in barangay Tuanadatu, a far-flung village. Police, military and drug enforcement authorities swooped down on Tuanadatu village that resulted to the discovery and uprooting or more or less 498 seedlings with an estimated value of P124,500 and 1,738 fully grown marijuana hills with an estimated value of P782,100. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Books for quality education

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Grade 1 pupils from Maitum Elementary School hug the book given by QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today). The workbooks, donated by UnionBank of the Philippines through the initiative of Alcantara Foundation, involve developmental reading integrated with values education for good citizenship. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Have fun, enjoy learning

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Grade 2 pupils from Maitum Elementary School in barangay Old Poblacion happily show off their books distributed by QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today). QUEST started the distribution of books to all schools throughout the municipality of Maitum last week. The workbooks, donated by UnionBank of the Philippines through the initiative of Alcantara Foundation, involve developmental reading integrated with values education for good citizenship. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Museums chair visits Maitum

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Dr. Antonio Montalvan II, chairman of the National Committee on Museums of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, inspects a replica of a Maitum jar, copied from potsherds taken from Pinol Cave and Sangel Cave found in barangay Pinol. Dr. Montalvan visited the Maitum Diorama recently where replicas of the famous “Faces of Maitum” are on display. He emphasized the importance of these finds in the determination of Mindanao prehistory in particular and the Philippines as a whole. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Reading is fun

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Grade 1 pupils from Maitum Elementary School in barangay Old Poblacion earnestly read the books given to them by QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today). The workbooks, donated by UnionBank of the Philippines through the initiative of Alcantara Foundation, involve developmental reading integrated with values education for good citizenship. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Press conference for 13th National Mango Congress in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 15, 2011) - Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit (4th from left) gives her opening statement in behalf of Governor Migs Dominguez at the press conference for the 13th National Mango Congress Thursday, September 15, at the Capitol conference room. The mango congress will be held at Isla Jardin del Mar in Gumasa on September 28-30. Joining the legislator as panelists are (L-R) Danilo Centillas, coordinator of high-value crops development program in Region 12; Engr Nenita Barroso, provincial director of trade and industry; Dorecita Delima, assistant regional director of trade and industry; Vice Mayor Vivien Yap of Glan; Virginia dela Fuente, president of Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI) and Fred Dumasis, president of Sarangani Foundation of Fruits Industry Associations Inc. (SAFFIA). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Barangay officials hold Education Summit

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 15, 2011) – Barangay Captain Zenaida Famindalan of Patag in Malapatan (2nd right) leads the reporting of their workshop on how to develop and pursue their dreams of education for their barangay during the Education Summit at Capitol gym Tuesday, September 13. The summit hosted by Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) aims to harness close partnership between the barangay council and the provincial government by motivating the former to keenly seek the education reform agenda. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Education Summit

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 15, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (2nd left) and Board Member Eugene Alzate (2nd right) welcome barangay leaders as they participate in the Education Summit. The activity encouraged barangay leaders to share their dreams for their children, the challenges that hinder them in attaining their dreams and their specific action plan. The barangay leaders were expected as well to champion education in their barangay and to take active involvement in educational development. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Philippine Civil Service anniversary badminton champion

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 15, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) takes a shot with the badminton players of local government unit (LGU) of Alabel who bagged the 1st place over the Provincial Capitol badminton team headed by the Vice Governor. The event was the 111th Civil Service Anniversary and sports fest with this year’s theme, “Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed” at the Big Shot court Tuesday, September 14. The LGU Alabel ranked 1st followed by the Provincial Capitol and Pag-ibig teams. The winners will be formally awarded in a ceremony on September 26. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Residents train in road accident rescue

KIAMBA, Sarangani (September 15, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon observes participants in their demonstration of basic rescuing in a road accident Wednesday, September 14. It was part of their first aid and disaster management training at barangay Tambilil spearheaded by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in partnership with Philippine Red Cross Gensan Chapter and Integrated Barangay Defense Force. This training aims to equip residents basic knowledge about first aid and disaster management being the first responder in their community in times of emergency. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Stronger education commitment by barangay officials

ALABEl, Sarangani (September 15, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez encourages barangay leaders to strengthen their commitment and the accountability of all stakeholders in the education system in Sarangani down to barangay level during the Education Summit for Barangay Leaders Tuesday, September 13, at Capitol gym. A total of 240 barangay captains and committee on education chairpersons participated in the activity. (Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Waterfalls in Alabel (1 & 2)

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 15, 2011) – Atnayan Falls is located at sitio New Canaan of barangay Pag-asa. It is one of the must-see attractions of Sarangani Province which carries the “Sarangani your adventure” brand. Venturing to this spectacular sight takes three hours (from Buenavista) passing thru technical trails, knee-deep river trekking and slippery stones of the creek. While approaching the falls, the roaring sound increases. It is estimated to be 60 meters in height, with an excellent spot for rock climbing and rappelling. The astounding view of Atnayan Falls can ease a weary body and mind, and lifts the spirit of loving Mother Nature. (Alma Gabuat/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Village women run store for peace

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 14, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez mingles with members of Malabod Women’s Association Wednesday, September 14, as he buys some goods at the Tindahan sa Kalinaw (store for peace), a project funded by the provincial government through its KALINAW Sarangani Unit, to address social issues in areas where insurgency, armed conflict and banditry are present. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs leads burning of uprooted marijuana

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 14, 2011) - (L-R with torches) Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit, Director Aileen Lovitos of PDEA 12 regional office, Governor Migs Dominguez, chief of staff Bren Evangelio of Sarangani Congressional office and Barangay Captain Danilo Constantino lead the burning of uprooted fully-grown marijuana in the hinterland of barangay Malabod Wednesday, September 14. Malabod lies at the tri-boundary of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and Sarangani. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Former bandits help uproot marijuana plants

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 14, 2011) - Mayor Reynaldo Constantino (right) gestures as Gov. Migs Dominguez, Barangay Captain Danilo Constantino, PDEA 12 regional director Aileen Lovitos and Bren Evangelio, chief of staff of Sarangani Congressional office, listen at the briefing with former bandits who helped out PDEA operatives in uprooting around 3,000 fully-grown marijuana from September 11 to 14. A three-day hike from barangay proper to sitio Siman is where the plantation is situated in the tri-boundary of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and Sarangani. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Computers from Capitol to village school

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 14, 2011) - Teachers and Barangay Captain Danilo Constantino rejoice as Governor Migs Dominguez flashes his approval sign as he committed to deliver in October two units of brand new desktop computers with ink-jet printers for Malabod Integrated School Wednesday, September 14. The Governor with other provincial and municipal officials visited the barangay for a consultation and ceremonial burning of uprooted fully-grown marijuana plants in the tri-boundary of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato and Sarangani. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)