Kiamba beats Glan in SPAA men’s volley

KIAMBA, Sarangani (January 9, 2014)- A winning spike from Kiamba Dragon’s Volleyball Men Secondary during the championship game of Kiamba and Glan districts at Kiamba Sports Complex. The Kiamba Dragon’s won this match during the Sarangani Provincial Athletic Association meet Thursday, January 9. (Ruel Ampatin/KIAMBA INFO CENTER)

SPAA meet, Governor’s Cup ongoing

KIAMBA, Sarangani (January 8, 2014) – On behalf of Vice Governor Jinkee J. Pacquiao, technical officer Roselle King gives an inspirational message during the Sarangani Provincial Athletic Association meet 2014 and Governor’s Cup held at Kiamba Sports Complex Tuesday, January 7, with the theme “SPORTS: Road To Peace and Progress.” (Marvin Soler/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

SPAA meet opens in Kiamba

KIAMBA, Sarangani (January 8, 2014)- Isagani dela Cruz, schools division superintendent, declares the 2014 Sarangani Provincial Athletic Association meet and the Governor’s Cup open from January 7-9 at Kiamba sports complex Tuesday, January 7.(Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Athletic association meet opened by Governor Solon

KIAMBA, Sarangani (January 8, 2014)- Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon delivers his message during the opening ceremony of Sarangani Provincial Athletic Association (SPAA) meet Tuesday, January 7, at Kiamba sports complex. The SPAA theme is “SPORTS: Road to Peace and Progress.”(Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Immigration field office now in Robinson’s Place

 

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 7, 2014) – Commissioner Siegfred Mison of Bureau of Immigration (extreme right), executives of Robinson’s Land Corporation (center) and Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (extreme left) formally open the new field office of Bureau of Immigration in General Santos City at Robinson’s Place Monday, January 6. The new location is expected to cater to clients more comfortably and be more accessible especially to senior citizens and persons-with-disabilities. The bureau has strategically joined other national and local agencies sub-offices in the One-Stop-Shop Public
Service at the Lingkod Pinoy Center of the mall. (Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Village Museum in Sarangani target of Green Initiative

MALUNGON, Sarangani (January 6, 2014) – Gina Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc., Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, Brgy. Captain Ephraim Englis of Datal Tampal, and Mayor Reynaldo Constantino listen to a Blaan woman who shares her insights on how to preserve Lamlifew village museum. Lopez and her group visited Lamlifew Sunday, January 5, being one of the focus areas of the Green Initiative of Bantay Kalikasan. (Aiza Cruz/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gina Lopez visits Sarangani for Green Initiative project

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2014) – Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., gestures as she meets with Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and local officials at the white-water tubing adventure site in barangay New La Union Saturday, January 4. Lopez arrived in Sarangani together with her two sons and some friends including the three biggest travel operators in the country. Lopez purposely visited Sarangani to finalize matters on the Green Initiative project of Bantay Kalikasan. This project will not only promote tourism for the province but also aims to uplift the lives in the community by providing sources of income. One of the two focus areas is the water tubing adventure. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gina Lopez tries water tubing adventure

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2014) - Gina Lopez, an environment advocate, enjoys the clear water of Pangi River in barangay New La Union Saturday, January 4. Lopez challenged the community and the officials to protect, conserve and love the nature’s bounty of the province. While the government continues its part in the development of these priority areas, ABS-CBN Foundation which Lopez heads committed to promote and market the province through national television and The Filipino Channel. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani LGUs partner with ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan’s Green Initiative

By CHARITO S. ANSAGAY

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 7, 2014) – “The way for the country to go is through taking care of our environment and its natural resources,” said Regina Paz Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI) during her visit in Sarangani on January 4-5.

Lopez, who is an active advocate of preserving the environment,visited Sarangani after a series of strategic planning workshops on tourism organized by the province.

Lopez handles the Green Initiative of Bantay Kalikasan, which is a joint program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation and ABS-CBN Foundation. Its main objective is to protect
Philippine biodiversity and help uplift the lives of the people.

Recently, Green Initiative has listed Sarangani to be among the focus areas in the country. Sarangani, according to National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), is still in the list of the poorest
provinces during the first quarter of 2012, despite its gift of nature.

Two sites were considered in the province - the village museum in Lamlifew, Datal Tampal in Malungon and river tubing adventure in New La Union in Maitum town.

The Bantay Kalikasan team, accompanied by the officials and tourism officers led by Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon conducted assessments after each tour. Recommendations and suggestions from the community, LGU and Green Initiative came up during the dialogue. These are useful tools to develop the sites and services further.

“This partnership will mostly benefit the people in the communities. We take care of our resources and use it appropriately. This project is not just all about promotions and marketing our place and invite more tourists, but for our people to have sustainable sources of income,” Governor Solon said.

A memorandum of understanding is underway.  The government and ALKFI shall work hand in hand in poverty alleviation by developing eco-tourism sites and livelihood projects that will benefit underprivileged communities.  The province shall mainly develop tourism areas; ALKFI shall facilitate and fund the media exposure and advertising.

Villagers and officials in the barangays and municipalities vowed to support the project and showed enthusiasm in the program.  It was initially agreed that the project will be launched formally in March. (Charito S. Ansagay/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)