Cresing’s hosts Maitum Safari fotogs in Sarangani

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 30, 2012) – Photographers from General Santos City, Davao City and Sarangani take a group shot Friday, January 27, at Cresing’s Food Products, maker of the Cresing’s brand of rice coffee and corn coffee and distributor of marinated flying fish or bangsi. Cresing’s has been the traditional host of the Maitum Safari Photo Contest which is now on its 8th year. The contest has attracted scores of photographers across Mindanao. Awarding of winners will be during the Binuyugan Festival culmination program on May 7, 2012. The first prize is P10,000 plus trophy, second prize is P8,000 plus trophy and third prize P6,000 plus trophy, with seven consolation prizes of P700 each. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Joseph Tanedo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Photographers at 8th Maitum Safari Photo Contest in Sarangani

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 30, 2012) – Photographers from General Santos City and Davao City camera clubs take time to enjoy the competition during the Bangsi Festival Thursday, January 26. Through the years, the Maitum Safari Photo Contest has attracted scores of photographers across Mindanao. Awarding of winners will be during the Binuyugan Festival culmination program on May 7, 2012. The first prize is P10,000 plus trophy, second prize is P8,000 plus trophy and third prize P6,000 plus trophy, with seven consolation prizes of P700 each. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE

Vice Gov. at Bangsi Festival basketball League

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 30, 2012) ­– Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (extreme left) together with Board Member Cornelio Martinez Jr. (2nd left) and Board Member Alexander Bryan Reganit (extreme right) award prizes during the Pacman’s basketball league culmination of congressman Manny Pacquiao as part of the celebration of 5th Bangsi Festival. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Ivan Arroyo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs & Cong. Pacquiao in Maitum, Sarangani’s Bangsi Festival

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 27, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez and Congressman Manny Pacquiao join the Bangsi Festival celebration Friday, January 27, at the municipal gymnasium. Bangsi is Maitum's One Town One Product (OTOP), providing livelihood to coastal households. Its value-added product, the marinated and half dried flying fish, is a popular pasalubong and breakfast fare. Bangsi Festival also honors the fisherfolk. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Street dancing 1st runner up of Bangsi Festival in Sarangani

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 27, 2017) – This contingent is 1st runner up in the Bangsi Festival street dancing showdown Friday, January 27. Bangsi is Maitum's One Town One Product (OTOP), providing livelihood to coastal households. Its value-added product, the marinated and half dried flying fish, is a popular pasalubong and breakfast fare. Bangsi Festival also honors the fisherfolk who capture fish for livelihood. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani’s Bangsi Festival street dancing showdown champion

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 27, 2017) – The contingent of Edenton Mission College Inc. college department performs to win 1st prize in the Bangsi Festival street dancing showdown Friday, January 27. Bangsi is Maitum's One Town One Product (OTOP), providing livelihood to coastal households. Its value-added product, the marinated and half dried flying fish, is a popular pasalubong and breakfast fare. Bangsi Festival also honors the fisherfolk who capture fish for livelihood. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Residents of Maitum, Sarangani watch Bangsi Festival

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 27, 2012) - Residents and visitors gather at the municipal gym to watch the culmination program and street dancing showdown of Bangsi Festival Friday, January 27. Bangsi is Maitum's One Town One Product (OTOP), providing livelihood to coastal households. Its value-added product, the marinated and half dried flying fish, is a popular pasalubong and breakfast fare. Bangsi Festival also honors the fisherfolk. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bangsi longest grill is in Maitum, Sarangani

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 27, 2012) – A ton of fresh bangsi (flying fish) is distributed to residents and Bangsi Festival guests for the bangsi street grilling Friday, January 27, at the town’s main road. Guests and visitors were enjoined to grill and eat all they can for free. Bangsi is Maitum's One Town One Product (OTOP), providing livelihood to coastal households. Its value-added product, the marinated and half dried flying fish, is a popular pasalubong and breakfast fare. Bangsi Festival also honors the fisherfolk. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bangsi all you can eat in Maitum, Sarangani

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 27, 2012) - Residents and Bangsi Festival guests enjoy all they can eat as the bangsi (flying fish) street grilling unfolds Friday, January 27, at the town’s main thoroughfare. Bangsi is Maitum's One Town One Product (OTOP), providing livelihood to coastal households. Its value-added product, the marinated and half dried flying fish, is a popular pasalubong and breakfast fare. Bangsi Festival also honors the fisherfolk. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Curfew for minors in Glan restored

GLAN, Sarangani (January 25, 2012) — Authorities have renewed a crackdown on youth offenders with the re-imposition of the curfew for minors.

This, following an apparent resurgence in street crimes usually attributed to juvenile delinquents, such as thefts, burglaries and break-ins at the public market.

The curfew for minors is contained in Ordinance 92-05, which was put on hold after the general peace and order condition had vastly improved following the assumption to office of the new administration in June 2010.

With the restriction temporarily back in effect, anyone under 18 must now be safely tucked in bed by 10 p.m.

On Tuesday, police rounded up six youths aged 6 to 17 in subsequent operations.

The youngsters were later turned over to their parents after the proper documentation.

In Wednesday’s Management Committee meeting, Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. underscored the need for parents to keep track of their children, especially at night.

“Parents of curfew violators can be held liable if their children are caught again for the same offense,” he said. “They can be charged with child abuse, among other violations.” For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (GLAN INFO & NEWS SERVICE)

SOCSKSARGEN government unions protest “oppressive” budget memo

By COCOY SEXCION

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 27, 2012) - Government employees’ unions from all over SOCSKSARGEN launched a signature campaign among their members Wednesday (January 25) in a petition protesting Budget Circular No. 2011-05 they dubbed as “oppressive”.

The Department of Budget and Management issued Budget Circular No. 2011-05 on December 26, 2011 providing for supplemental guidelines on the grant of Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentives.

The guidelines stipulate that “savings from only the following MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expense) items may be used as fund source of the CNA incentives such as Travelling Allowance, Communication Allowance, Repair and Maintenance, Transportation and Delivery expense, Supplies and Materials and Utility expense.”

The unions claimed the granting of CNA incentives has become impossible under the accounts mentioned which were usually used up at the end of each year, according to Anacleto Saya-ang.

Saya-ang, president of Sarangani Province Employees Union (SPEU), also said that savings would unlikely happen for the MOOE fund source which are reduced by 10% yearly. Not to mention the continuing hikes of oil prices and other supplies needed for operation.

The government union leaders highlighted the “oppressive” budget circular in the petition presented January 25 during their regular monthly meeting at Mindanao State University High School campus.

The union leaders represented the entire SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City).

Also present during the meeting were Nur Juanday, president of General Santos City Employees Association; Tomas Robles, presiding officer and president of Public Sector Employees Alliance of SOCSKSARGEN; Felix Cabuguas of Philippine Independent Public Sector Employees Association; Edward Barrios, president of Surralah Municipal Employees Union Association; and Edna Guiñares, president of Tupi Municipal Employees Union and other municipal employees union leaders from provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

The petition was addressed to President Benigno Aquino, the Secretary of Department of Budget and Management and the Public Sector Labor Management Council.

“The Order is a violation to the resolution of PSLMC (Public Sector Labor-Management Council) in which the DBM is just a member,” said Robles.

“By doing this petition, more or less, other members of PSLMC will be aware that their resolution is violated by the DBM circular.” Robles added.

The PSLMC, constituted under Executive Order No. 180, is composed primarily by the Secretaries of Justice, Budget and Management, Labor and Employment and the chairperson of Civil Service Commission with sectoral representations for the NGA’s GOCC, LGU and SUC.

The unionists target to finish the signature drive before the end of the month. The signed petition will be submitted to PSLMC in time for its meeting in Manila this February. Exact date is yet to be confirmed said Ramon Villa, SPEU director. For more news and updates, please visit to www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Government employees union of SOCSKSARGEN launches signature campaign vs DBM Budget Circular No. 2011-05

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 25, 2012) - (From L-R seated) Nur Juanday, president of General Santos City Employees Association; Anacleto Saya-ang, president of Sarangani Province Employees Union; Tomas Robles, president of Public Sector Employees Alliance of SOCKSARGEN; Felix Cabuguas of Philippine Independent Public Sector Employees Association; Edward Barrios, president of Surralah Municipal Employees Union and Edna Guiñares with other government union leaders all over SOCSKSARGEN as they present Wednesday, January 25, the petition form to media during the launch of signature campaign to its members protesting DBM Budget Circular No. 2011-05 that affects the granting of Collective Negotiation Agreement Incentives to qualified government employees. The group dubbed the budget circular as “oppressive”. For more news and updates, please visit to www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani’s PPP housing project opens doors to first occupants

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 25, 2012) – The first-ever PPP (Public-Private Partnership) initiated housing project in Sarangani finally opened its doors to the first batch of occupants Tuesday (January 24) in time for the awarding of certificates of occupancy to 11 beneficiaries.

Called as “The Capitol Residences”, it is the housing project of the provincial government, in joint venture with Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Sarangani Land and Development Corporation, which translates the commitment of provincial leaders to provide better shelter through medium grade but affordable housing facility for its employees.

The local government unit (LGU) –led housing project was implemented pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 7279 otherwise known as Urban Development and Housing Act in conjunction with Section 17 of RA 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

HDMF Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe said there have been a lot of negotiations ongoing nationwide for the PPP housing program for the LGUs but she pointed out Sarangani’s project was yet the first ceremonial turn-over she witnessed.

“Una ko po itong (The Capitol Residences) napuntahan na tunay naman na nakatayo na ang mga bahay, tapos na ang land development, at may take-out na na labing-isang bahay,” Berberabe disclosed.

Berberabe said it was the first mandate of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Pag-IBIG, being the chairman of Pag-IBIG housing program, to conceptualize housing programs for LGUs which the latter supported with a campaign last year, but Berberabe said Sarangani implemented its own much ahead.

For his part, Governor Migs Dominguez said it was the “first time that the local government unit engages the first private-public partnership project especially in housing in the whole of Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines.”

“A step towards providing innovations in utilizing partnership with the private sector to meet (our) developmental objectives finally today of abiding quality housing especially to our local government and national government employees,” Dominguez said.

The governor emphasized also that he wanted to leave the housing project as his legacy where all the beneficiaries “build families, will build noble communities.”

Dominguez, likewise, anticipated that The Capitol Residences could be a “template where other local government units or agencies of the government can follow as a progressive, innovative way of developing.”

This, according to Dominguez, will also signal the start of investment development that would “provide formal, decent and the best housing project in Sarangani and also become a little imperative for the city residents to look at where you can experience fresh air, where you can see Mt. Matutum and get the fresh breeze coming from Sarangani Bay.”

Dominguez, however, stressed that in this project it is not only the houses that will be made as the model of development but as well as the families that will grow there.

Atty. Wendel Avisado, secretary general of Housing and Development of the Office of the Vice President, noted this initiative of the provincial government as effective in encouraging employees in return to be more productive civil servants.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng kasiguruhan sa usaping pabahay ay mahalaga sa bawat pamilya,” Avisado said. He also pointed out “isa sa mga pangunahing karapatan ng bawat tao sa mundo ay magkaroon ng sariling lupa at bahay para sa kanyang pamilya.

Also during the ceremonial turnover was the signing of memorandum of understanding between Sarangani and its partners where part of the covenants agreed was the recoupment of the P6 million the provincial government spent in purchasing the 6-hectare housing area that would in turn earn the provincial government P33,334 per unit based on the one peso computation from the proceeds of the loan per take-out.

From the total 180 housing units to mortgage with HDMF, 11 beneficiaries constituted the first batch in which HDMF ceremonially turned over to the provincial government its monetary cash equivalent of P4.7 million as its share.

Per lot measures 210 square meters land area and 39.24 sq. meters floor area each unit, the advantage beneficiaries get compared to commercial housing units in cities which would range to an average of only 90 to 120 square meters. For more news and updates, please visit to www.sarangani.gov.ph (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Trees planted at park of The Capitol Residences in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 24, 2012) – Gov. Migs Dominguez assists Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, chief executive officer of Home Development Mutual Fund, in a tree planting activity Tuesday, January 24, at The Capitol Residences park and playground as part of the turnover ceremony of the first batch of houses to its beneficiaries. The Capitol Residences is a provincial government housing project which aims to improve performance and productivity of its employees. It marks the first time that a local government unit engages in PPP (private public partnership) housing development project in Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani’s The Capitol Residences opens doors for first batch of houseowners

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 24, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez and Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, chief executive officer of Home Development Mutual Fund, cut the ceremonial ribbon for the turnover of the first batch of houses at The Capitol Residences to its beneficiaries Tuesday, January 24. It marks the first time that a local government unit engages in PPP (private public partnership) housing development project in Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines. This housing project by the provincial government is the translation of commitments of the incumbent leaders by providing medium grade but affordable housing facilities with the objective to improve performance and productivity from government employees. Also in photo are (from R-L) chief-of-staff of the governor Pio Justo Velasco; Benirando Claudio, president/CEO of Sarangani Land and Property Corporation; Atty. Wendel Avisado, deputy secretary general of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council; Congressional Office chief-of-staff Bren Evangelio and Mayor Corazon Grafilo. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Officials tour The Capitol Residences in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani(January 24, 2012) – Gov. Migs Dominguez guides Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, chief executive officer of Home Development Mutual Fund, in a quick tour inside the housing project of the provincial government of Sarangani – The Capitol Residences - before the ceremonial turnover of the first batch of houses to its beneficiaries Tuesday, January 24, at the subdivision site in purok Sto. Nino, barangay Poblacion, in Alabel town. It marks the first time that a local government unit engages in PPP (private public partnership) housing development project in Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

First house at Sarangani’s The Capitol Residences visited by officials

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 24, 2012) - Gov. Migs Dominguez briefs Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, chief executive officer of Home Development Mutual Fund, inside one of the units completed at the housing project of the provincial government for its employees – The Capitol Residences - before the turnover ceremony of the first batch of houses to its beneficiaries Tuesday, January 24, at purok Santo Nino, barangay Poblacion in Alabel town. It marks the first time that a local government unit engages in PPP (private public partnership) housing development project in Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines. This housing project by the provincial government is the translation of commitments of the incumbent leaders by providing medium grade but affordable housing facilities with the objective to improve performance and productivity from government employees. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Farming tools for Sarangani coffee farmers

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 23, 2012) – Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (2nd right), representing Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, hands over farming tools to the officers and members of Federation of Sarangani Coffee Growers in partnership with Strengthening Technological Advancement for Reforms Project under the office of the Vice Governor, Office of the Provincial Agriculture and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Alvin Gler/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Media opens bank account for Justice for Cris Guarin donation drive

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 19, 2012) - (From L-R) Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas SOCSARGEN Chapter president James Catalan, DXMD station manager Al Josol and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines SOCSARGEN Chapter president Edwin Espejo present the savings account bank book to fellow journalists during a press conference Thursday, January 19, on the updates on the assassination case of radio block timer and tabloid publisher Cris Guarin at Anchor Driving Range. The ASIA UNITED BANK peso savings account with account number 304-11-001391-3 is where money raised from the Justice for Cris Guarin donation drive is to be deposited. To date, the total amount raised is P100,000 and the group is still raising. This will be used as reward money for the gunman for him to surrender and identify the mastermind of the killing for this is the only way to stop the media killings according to the group. To those who may wish to donate for this donation drive, you may deposit your donations to the bank with details mentioned above or you may contact 09292136263 and look for James Catalan. For more news and updates, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani provides new firetrucks to capital town

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 18, 2012) – The provincial government turned-over on Tuesday (January 17) to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) P2-million worth of brand new firetrucks to equip the fire station of its capital town, Alabel.

The two firetrucks were purchased thru a counterparting scheme of the provincial government of Sarangani and the municipality of Alabel, which allocated from their local funds P1.3 million and P700,000, respectively.

Governor Migs Dominguez said Capitol complemented funds with the municipal government for this intervention to ensure the fire station is equipped with the proper firefighting equipment as the people rely on them for safety.

“Kayo ang inaasahan namin to protect lives and property,” Dominguez told firefighters.

However, Dominguez urged Mayor Corazon Grafilo to encourage all her constituents to adhere also to the “necessary fire codes and ensure that proper guidelines would be followed especially in businesses, markets, and other establishments.”

BFP officer-in-charge fire chief C/Supt Samuel Perez personally received the firetrucks with regional director S/Supt Alejandro Cagampang and other BFP personnel.

Perez noted the significant contribution of the provincial and local governments in the fire service.

He said the necessary equipment needed to fully equip the firetrucks will be delivered in the next three months.

Perez said Sarangani is assured of the bureau’s support. Perez was previously the regional director in Region 12 before he was appointed the officer-in-charge fire chief.

Meanwhile, Perez said the firetrucks turned over would mean additional manpower requirement as he lamented the BFP lacked personnel not only in Sarangani but in the whole Philippines.

“We only have 16,000 firemen distributed nationwide,” a significant gap of the supposed personnel requirement the bureau should hire as it was supposed to follow a “one fireman for every two thousand population” ratio, Perez said.

“Every year binibigyan lang kami ng Congress ng ceiling of 500 slots in which ang mapunta lang sa Region 12, let us say, mga 10 to 20 lang. That is not enough sa ating manpower requirement,” Perez pointed out.

But he said the BFP would meantime tap the local governments to train volunteers for the fire brigades to cope with the lack of manpower. For more news and updates, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani firemen get new trucks from governor, Alabel mayor

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) – Governor Migs Dominguez hands over the key of two new firetrucks to CSUPT Samuel Perez, OIC chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection, at municipal fire station of Alabel Tuesday, January 17. The firetrucks were procured thru a counter parting scheme wherein the provincial government allotted P1.3 million and the municipal government P700,000. Also in photo are (from right) Vice Mayor Vic Paul Salarda, Mayor Corazon Grafilo, SSUPT Alejandro Cagampang, regional director of Region 12; and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

OPAPP delivers P3 million for Sarangani peace communities

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) - The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) makes a turnover of a check worth P3 million for PDC (peace and development community) PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program) projects at Datu Molod Integrated Elementary School in barangay Lumatil Monday, January 16, together with Governor Migs Dominguez, Vice Governor Steve Chongbian Solon, Vice Mayor Utto Salem Cutan, OPAPP officials and Local Government Unit officials. The fund will be used to build community infrastructure projects in PDCs. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Ivan Arroyo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs challenges Sarangani firemen

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) – “Kayo ang inaasahan namin to protect lives and properties” says Governor Migs Dominguez to Sarangani firemen during the turnover of two new firetrucks to Bureau of Fire Protection at municipal fire station Tuesday, January 17. The firetrucks were procured thru a counter parting scheme wherein the provincial government allotted P1.3 million and the municipal government P700,000. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Arrival honors during turnover of Sarangani firetrucks

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) – Sarangani firemen salute Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Corazon Grafilo and CSUPT Samuel Perez, OIC chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection, during the ceremonial turnover of two new firetrucks Tuesday, January 17, at the municipal fire station of Alabel. The firetrucks were procured thru a counter parting scheme wherein the provincial government allotted P1.3 million and the municipal government P700,000. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani’s former town mayor marks 50th birthday with Tboli kids

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) - Deputy Governor for MAKIMA (Maasim - Kiamba - Maitum) Aniceto “Jojo “Lopez Jr. distributes gifts to Tboli children of barangay Nomoh as part of his 50th birthday celebration Monday, January 16, at the school campus of Nomoh Integrated School. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani builds peace center in former Moro rebel stronghold

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez and Susana Marcaida, director of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), lead the ceremonial ground breaking of community peace center Monday, January 16, at Lumatil Integrated School campus. The center is one of the community infrastructure projects for barangay Lumatil from the OPAPP through its PDC (peace and development community) PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program) as witnessed by (from right to left) Vice Mayor Utto Salem Cutan, Vice Governor Steve Solon, Board Member Lim Gacula, Barangay Captain Bonnie Sultan and Vice Governor of ARMM Bainon Karon, Al Hadja. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ground breaking for community peace center in Sarangani village

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) - Susana Marcaida, director of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and Barangay Captain Lazaruz Limpong lead the ceremonial ground breaking of community peace center for barangay Nomoh Monday, January 16, as ARMM Vice Governor Bainon Karon, Al Hadja; Municipal Councilor Luna Tabalao, Governor Migs Dominguez, Board Member Bryan Reganit and MAKIMA Deputy Governor Aniceto Lopez Jr. look on at the school campus of Nomoh Integrated School. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs with ARMM Vice Governor Bainon Karon, Al Hadja, in Sarangani

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez shares a light moment with ARMM (Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao) Vice Governor Bainon Karon, Al Hadja, at the ground breaking ceremony program for the community peace center of barangay Nomoh from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process through its PDC (peace and development community) PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program) Monday, January 16, at Nomoh Integrated School campus. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs accepts peace and development projects for Sarangani village

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez delivers his acceptance speech Monday, January 16, at the ground breaking ceremony and turnover of check for the community infrastructure projects for barangay Nomoh from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process through its PDC (peace and development community) PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program) at Nomoh Integrated School campus. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Filariasis elimination campaign launched in Sarangani

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 17, 2012) - A Tboli lass takes a look at the billboard of Filariasis elimination campaign of the Department of Health, Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI) and provincial government of Sarangani at its launch Monday, January 16, at Nomoh Integrated School. SMI funded the program in the amount of P1 million and will be implemented throughout the province by Sarangani provincial government through its health office. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Cocoy Sexcion /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani scholars to train in Japan

By BON-BON QUIÑO

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 13, 2012) – Twelve scholars of the Philippine-Nippon Technical College (PNTC), all from Sarangani, are scheduled to fly to Japan in the first quarter of the year to be trained by Japan’s top industrial companies, and at the same time, to earn.

PNTC teamed up with the provincial government through the Strengthening Technological Advancement for Reforms (STAR) Project under the office of Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon in identifying qualified applicants for an opportunity to acquire technical skills and earn in Japan.

The 12 scholars who underwent skills training in Padada, Davao Del Sur and Calamba, Laguna passed and qualified for internship.

PNTC is a Japanese affiliated-technical school in the Philippines that offers study-now-pay later technical courses and free Japanese language study to qualified applicants under their Education to Career Assistance Program (ETCAP).

Qualified applicants are already considered scholars. Scholars who are high school graduates, under graduate, or graduated with vocational courses, undergo free three-month Japanese language training at PNTC in Padada, Davao Del Sur and four-month skills training in Calamba, Laguna. For scholars with college degree, the language and skills training are conducted in Laguna with free accommodation, food, fare and allowances. Skills training include welding, machining, painting, electronics, heavy equipment, and automotive.

With the assistance of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), scholars who passed the examination and met the qualifications will then be chosen by the accepting Japanese companies through their country representatives for further training in Japan under the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) Program.

POEA ensures that all scholars send to Japan are considered trainees and not as employees or workers; they shall be turned over to JITCO when they arrive in Japan for cultural and values orientation and their official deployment to identified companies.

More or less 1,800 PNTC graduates are currently training in Japan.

Tomas Delator, 19 years old, and a former fast-food chain crew from barangay Talus, Malungon, and five others, were set to fly to Japan on January 16.

“This is a big help. The opportunity to pass and qualify as PNTC scholar through the support and endorsement of the Office of the Vice Governor is very seldom. This will hopefully improve our life,” Delator said. Delator is set to work in Hitachi Kasado, a bullet-train repair and assembly plant in Japan.

Wilbert Sara, a graduate of management accounting and a former employee of the Municipal Accounting Office in Alabel is scheduled to go to Japan this February. “The scholarship opens opportunities for us. I am encouraging my fellow youth to help themselves. Do not just dream for yourself but strive harder to help your parents. Do not forget to pray and be mindful of where you came from. Opportunities are everywhere but we have to work harder to be successful,” Sara said. He took up his Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) training at PNTC in Laguna.

In his message to the PNTC scholars, Vice Governor Solon said: “This is a good opportunity, a God-given opportunity. This is an opportunity to benefit not only yourself but your family and the Province of Sarangani. So good luck and God Bless.”

Other PNTC scholars assisted by STAR project are: Danny Boy Ojayas, Eric Jones Himota, Jake Rosa, Reymart Badaran, Loreto Mogpon, Carlito Lumpan, Louie Coloma, John Patrick Empuerto, Cloudee Jim Olarter, and Santiago Pantalita Jr., all from Malungon; Jomelito Wanal, Ronald Kevin Sanchez, and Ronald Pallar,from Alabel; Jose Pepito Español of Glan; Merald Jay Rivera, Francis Leo Serna, Archie Alta, Mark Anthony Castro, and Reinz Michael Alta, all from Maitum; and Dennis Anthony Ofredo and Julius Ceasar Patagnan, both from Kiamba. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani poorest families receive cash assistance

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 13, 2012) - Sarangani released cash grants on Thursday (January 12) to augment the income of the poorest families in barangay Domolok thru the conditional cash transfer (CCT) project, a local initiative patterned after the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the national government.

4Ps is a poverty alleviation strategy which provides poor families cash assistance for the health and education needs of their children 0-14 years old.

A total of 268 families each received a P500 monthly assistance covering July, August, and September 2011. This first release entitled each beneficiary the sum of P1,500.

Governor Migs Dominguez urged beneficiaries to religiously submit to the conditions required of them like sending their children to pre-schools and for pregnant women to avail of the pre-natal services in barangay health centers.

Community affairs officer Rene Punzalan explained among the seven towns of Sarangani, only Alabel was not covered by the 4Ps program which prompted the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to initiate local intervention using the Community-Based Management System (CBMS) as a tool to identify the poorest families.

CBMS is an organized process of data collection and processing at the local level and of integration of data in local planning, program implementation, and impact monitoring.

CBMS identified the barangays of Alegria, Domolok, Datal Anggas, and Paraiso with the most numbered constituents that fall below the poverty threshold.

A social welfare indicator revalidated the level of well-being of the 1,261 households of these barangays which revealed that 1,199 or 95 percent did not meet the minimum household income. In short, “these households could hardly eat three meals a day,” Punzalan said.

Punzalan, however, pointed out only the remaining five percent or 62 households that belong to the “subsistence” level have met the required daily meals, family bonding, and participated in the community development activities.

Punzalan said this initiative became a convergence task of PSWDO, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Provincial Agriculturist’s Office in responding to the basic needs in the communities.

Basic requirements like pre-school education and health services are among the conditions that have to be met under CCT.

Punzalan said beneficiaries would also be provided poverty reduction interventions such as family development sessions, organization of parent leaders, provision of livelihood trainings and assistance, provision of sanitary toilet, potable water supply, and enrolment to PhilHealth “to ensure that communities are resilient and capable” when they will be out of CCT’s list. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Women in Christ foundation anniversary in Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani (January 12, 2012) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon delivers his message of unity to the officers and members of Women Active in Christ Ministry of the Philippine General Council of Evangelical Church of God Inc. during their 17th foundation anniversary Wednesday, January 11, with a fellowship and seminar at barangay Upper Mainit. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Ivan Arroyo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani town’s leaders vow to maintain peace and order

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 12, 2012) - Former Board Member Art Lawa (center) and Mayor Jose Zamorro (in blue shirt) appear before the public after a meeting Wednesday, January 11. A day earlier, Lawa, who is contesting the post of Zamorro, arrived in Maasim to follow up his several motions for execution at the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office. Lawa and Zamorro vowed to maintain the peace and order as they agreed to wait for the Comelec’s official written order. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner Arzaga)

Sarangani beneficiaries of cash assistance

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 12, 2012) – Part of the 268 family-beneficiaries of local Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) receive their first release of P1,500 assistance intended for the months of July, August and September 2011 from the local government of Sarangani Thursday, January 12, at the barangay hall. This project is patterned after the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty alleviation strategy that invests in human capital to improve their living conditions by providing a cash grant of P500 per month. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Russell Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Local Conditional Cash Transfer ongoing in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 12, 2012) – A beneficiary of local Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) receives her cash assistance from the local government of Sarangani Thursday, January 12, at the barangay hall. This project is patterned after the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty alleviation strategy that invests in human capital to improve their living conditions by providing a cash grant of P500 per month. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Russell Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs with Sarangani Conditional Cash Transfer beneficiaries

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 12, 2012) – Governor Migs Dominguez encourages responsible parenthood to the 268 family-beneficiaries of local Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) project on its first sortie at barangay Domolok Thursday, January 12. This project is patterned after the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty alleviation strategy that invests in human capital to improve their living conditions by providing a cash grant of P500 per month. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani (Russell Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Justice for Cris Guarin press conference

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 12, 2012) - Edwin Espejo, president of National Union of Journalists of the Philippines SOCSARGEN chapter, stresses a point as he gives updates to his fellow journalists on the case of slain radio blocktimer and local tabloid publisher Cris Guarin Thursday, January 12, at Anchor Driving Range restaurant. Espejo appealed to the gunman to surrender and identify the mastermind as he will be provided with reward money and due protection. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Justice for Cris Guarin donation drive

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 12, 2012) - Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) SOCSARGEN chapter president James Catalan accepts the P500 bill from a fellow journalist at the launching of a donation drive and press conference for speedy justice for slain radio blocktimer and local tabloid publisher Cris Guarin Thursday, January 12, at Anchor Driving Range restaurant. The raised amount will be offered to the gunman to identify the mastermind of the killing. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Glan earns ‘Seal of Good Housekeeping’

GLAN, Sarangani (January 12, 2012) — In recognition of its exemplary performance in governance, transparency and accountability, the local government unit (LGU) of Glan has been chosen as one of recipients of the 2012 Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) awards of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

A mechanism that recognizes good performance, the SGH is given to LGUs that have excelled in the areas of planning, budgeting, revenue mobilization, sound fiscal management and budget execution, procurement and resource mobilization, transparency and accountability, and giving value to performance management.

An SGH award means that a recipient LGU has religiously complied with all the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act as well as the Full Disclosure Policy of the DILG with regard to project implementation and financial transactions.

Aside from topping the standards on full disclosure and transparency, LGU-Glan bagged the award because of its “no adverse findings” from the Commission on Audit, and because of the efficiency in the implementation of its programs and projects.

A P1 million incentive from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) is usually given to the best performing LGUs, but, for one reason or another, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo had decided to up the PCF incentive for Glan to P2 million, according to Zorayda Grafilo-Labos, chief, DILG-Glan.

“Surely, this is something for Glan to be proud of and another feather in the cap of the administration of Mayor Victor James Yap, Sr.,” she said.

She said the incentive is in line with the Millennium Development Goals for the implementation of priority projects designed to boost tourism and local economic development as well as comply with the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and the Ecological and Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

For tourism and local economic development, the projects include school buildings, rural health units, health centers and birthing facilities, roads, bridges, tourism facilities, irrigation systems, post harvest facilities, cold storage facilities, ports and wharves and other economic infrastructures.

On the other hand, projects--such as flood control, reforestation, solid waste management facilities, storm drainage and related flood protection---are on tap for Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness. (GLAN INFO & NEWS SERVICE)

Sarangani opens 2012 on positive note

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 11, 2012) – Just as 2012 opened, financial assistance has started to pour in as supplementary fund from a nationally-acclaimed awards body as testimony of Sarangani’s good governance.

On Tuesday (January 10), officials bared that Sarangani has received the P10M Performance Challenge Fund for having earned the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The fund has now been credited to Sarangani’s account at the Development Bank of the Philippines under Special Allotment Release Order No. G-11-01858.

This will fund scores of priority programs and projects that Governor Migs Dominguez endorsed to DILG immediately after the latter notified the provincial government on requirements for the availment of the incentive.

The P10M will only fund programs and projects anchored on the Millennium Development Goals broken down into P3.465-million for the improvement/rehabilitation or construction of 13 day-care centers across Sarangani, the P2.5-million Kalinaw Fort Sarangani Landmark, and the completion of the Regional Trial Court building amounting to P4 million.

The province’s commendable performance on the aspects of good governance, transparency, and accountability made it bag the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award.

The award was aimed at recognizing local government units having good governance and practice the values of good planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and valuing of performance monitoring.

The same award was also given to three out of the seven municipalities of Sarangani with corresponding monetary incentive of P2 million for Glan and P1 million each for Maitum and Alabel.

Officials said the provincial government has projected significant milestones this year as they gauged this award (Seal of Good Housekeeping) would drive optimism in local government ranks to do better and innovate more.

Meanwhile, Governor Dominguez will also receive the Galing Pook Award at Malacanang Palace this month.

“Your program entry (Justice Enhancement and Empowerment Program) has been selected as one of the ten outstanding local governance programs in the Galing Pook Awards 2011,” said Eddie Dorotan, executive director of Galing Pook, in a letter to the governor.

Dorotan said the awarding ceremony may be held “within the fourth week of January.”

Sarangani’s Justice Enhancement and Empowerment Program (JEEP), which carries the mobile court “Justice On Wheels” (JOWs) project, bested more than a hundred entries coming from all over the country in the course of screening and tedious selection process that concluded in November 2011.

Only Sarangani and 17 others qualified to the panel presentation and interview as the selection’s final step on November 29 at the Ateneo de Manila.

People’s participation and empowerment, innovation, transferability and sustainability, and efficiency of program delivery were among the criteria of the Galing Pook Award.

In his 10-minute presentation, Dominguez underscored innovations and outstanding accomplishments that gave impact on successful reduction of inmates at Sarangani’s provincial jail because the mobile court has resolved several cases since it first rolled out in January 2009.

The initiatives of the provincial government to help dispense justice with JOWS are “fulfillment of a social as well as moral obligation.”

It is aimed at easing “dockets of the court by providing a venue of trial in the municipality the mobile court can be transported," a JOWS briefer said.

On the other hand, a string of successes in 2011 that comprised of the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) on Horse, JeepneED, and other education reform program activities had continuously stirred innovative intervention for the provincial government.

Sarangani’s partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund improved services on ECCD on Horse home-based education that addressed the lack of pre-school facilities in the hinterlands of Sarangani.

Also last year, the province was launched as the country’s pilot area for the mobile science laboratory called JeepneED, a mobile lab equipped with 10 netbooks, 3G hub for internet connectivity, and basic science materials that students will find helpful for their learning.

Presently, the provincial government is continuously giving all out support to Alabel Central Elementary School which has been included in the shortlist of schools in Mindanao vying for the 80-laptops program of Procter&Gamble Phils.

Alabel Central Elementary School is still the highest so far in the votes cast. Online voting at e.Estudyante Facebook page https://apps.facebook.com/e-studyante/index.php/entries would be until March 2012.

At the environment protection front, the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape-Protected Area Management Board (SBPS-PAMB) was able to get from the owners of MV Double Prosperity the total compensation package of P20 million, which constitutes the P10 million representing the actual valuation of experts for the actual damage, and additional P10 million allotted for the rehabilitation of the damaged reef.

The Panamanian-registered vessel MV Double Prosperity ran aground at Bacud Reef, Kiamba, on May 8, 2011 while passing the Sarangani strait enroute to India from Australia.

“The use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under RA 9285, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004, and sans going to the rigorous procedures of the regular court, as the main legal strategy, hastened the compensation of damages against the offending vessel,” said Atty. Arnel Zapatos, provincial legal officer.

“This case was first of its kind successfully prosecuted by the SBPS-PAMB, and duly acknowledged by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as first, anywhere in the Philippines. This is also the first case which had triumphantly taken compensation against a foreign merchant vessel, not doing business in the Philippines. This is also the first case of the largest foreign merchant vessel which ran aground in the area of Mindanao and the Visayas, which was successfully arrested by the Philippine Coast Guard using its protective authority on the environment,” Zapatos added. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mayor Yap wants all projects fast-tracked, finished by year-end

GLAN, Sarangani (January 4, 2012) — Mayor Victor James “Tata” Yap, Sr. held his first Management Committee (Mancom) meeting for 2012 on Tuesday (January 3) where he spelled out his main priorities for the next 12 months.

“I want all unfinished projects finished and all pending projects started and fast-tracked as soon as possible,” Mayor Yap told the Mancom.

These include the street-lighting project, the concreting of the road shoulders around the public market, the concreting of the public market’s interior road network, the construction of an P8 million foodcourt, also in the public market, the beautification of the public plaza, and the construction of the baywalk at the water front.

He said the department heads concerned should send in periodic reports so that problems that tend to slow down or block altogether the early and successful implementation of projects could be threshed out immediately.

He expressed confidence that his administration would perform better this year, with the entire officialdom and rank-and-file putting in more quality work and added sacrifices.

"Our people expect no less, and I appreciate the fact that, by and large, our officials and employees have been up to their tasks, but we need to do more this year, and there are lots of things that need to be done and done quickly without sacrificing the quality of work," he said.

The weekly Mancom meeting also took up the renewal of business permits and licenses, building permits, the streamlining of purchase requests, especially for fuel (No P.R., No Fuel), the need for additional personnel, the full implementation of waste segregation by end of January, and the 10 percent discount for prompt payment of the assessment tax. (For the permits and license renewal, which will run from January 3-20, a one-stop documentation center has been set up at the Municipal Hall lobby.)

Mayor Yap directed acting municipal engineer Jerry Baltazar and municipal agriculture officer Virgie Musa to form their respective groups to monitor all new buildings being constructed, on the one hand, and the status of all the livestock and pakura already given out under the cattle dispersal and livelihood assistance program of the office of Congressman Manny Pacquiao and the local government, on the other.

The mayor said the building owners should be made to comply with all the requirements without prejudice to their business or pecuniary interests.

As to the livestock and small fishing boats, the mayor instructed Musa to verify whether the recipients had complied with all the conditions laid down in the Memorandum of Agreement they had entered into with the local government.

"If warranted, we will make the necessary adjustments in order for others to benefit from the program," the mayor said.

He also told municipal treasurer Rani Omega to intensify tax collection but in the most judicious and equitable manner possible.

"It is only to be expected that big businesses should pay more while small businesses should pay less," he said. (In the last elections, then mayoral candidate Yap promised a progressive development program with preferential treatment for the poor.)

It was also learned that Glan would receive from the Department of Interior and Local Government some P2 million worth of projects for having won the Seal of Good Housekeeping awarded to local government units which had religiously complied with full disclosure and transparency in their financial transactions.

"The usual prize is only P1 million for a recipient municipality, but, for one reason or other, Secretary Jesse Robredo decided to up the reward for Glan to P2 million," Zorayda Grafilo-Labus, chief, DILG-Glan, told the mayor.

Meanwhile, some 100 sacks of rice, repacked into 5-kilo bags, will be given out in the so-called "disparity barangays" starting this month, courtesy of Congressman Pacquiao.

For its recently retired employees, the local government will tender a testimonial dinner, also this month. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (GLAN INFO AND NEWS SERVICE)