Ayuda-Eskwela supports pupils, school

MAASIM, Sarangani (August 11, 2014) - Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon joins Board Member Elmer de Peralta, Board Member George Falgui, Mayor Jojo Lopez, Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan, the Kamanga Agri-Industrial Ecozone Development Corporation, and the Alcantara Group in distributing educational school supplies in partnership with Holcim as part of the Ayuda-Eskwela project for Mangelen Integrated School on August 8. On the same day, a new classroom building for Mangelen Integrated School was turned over. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Restocking of Sarangani Bay with 1.5 million bangus fry

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (August 29, 2013) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office-Sarangani, Lun Padidu National High School, Juanico Ville Resettlement area of Lun Padidu, Parents Teachers Association and students join on August 23 the Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. and Fin Fish Hatcheries, Inc. in releasing 1.5 million bangus fry in Alkumaim Beach in barangay Lun Padidu. It was part of the commitment of Alcantara Group to restock 50 million bangus fry for the conservation and protection of Sarangani Bay. It was also in celebration of Linggo ng Wika and community extension service of Lun Padidu National High School administration. (Contributed photo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

LGU, Holcim, POs ink MOU to fabricate artificial reef domes

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

MAASIM, Sarangani (August 17, 2013) – At least 4,000 artificial reef domes will be fabricated to serve as breeding ground and aggregating device for marine life along the coasts of this town.

According to the provincial environment and natural resources office (PENRO), with only below 30 percent good coral cover in the province based on a seven-year old assessment, additional domes to augment those already deployed would encourage the growth of marine life and rehabilitation of damaged reefs in Sarangani Bay.

On Thursday (August 15), Mayor Aniceto Lopez Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding with Holcim, the country’s leading cement manufacturer, and Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. for this project.

As counterpart, Holcim will provide 2,000 bags of cement worth roughly half a million pesos for the construction of the domes.

It is part of the corporate social responsibility of the company in upholding its commitment in managing resources responsibly and working with communities to develop sustainable options for their future.

The people’s organizations (POs) composed of fisherfolk will fabricate the domes which Alcantara Foundation will pay at P50 each.

However, PENR officer Rolando Tuballes suggested a need to create a management plan to provide a clear guide for fisherfolk in the correct usage of domes and for the local government unit in managing the project to ensure efficiency rather than “worsening the situation.”

Fourteen out of 16 barangays of this town will benefit from this project.

Since 2009, there were already more than 1,000 domes deployed here.

An additional 270 domes that Alcantara Foundation produced in partnership with World Vision will be deployed starting next week with at least 30 to 50 units released per deployment every Friday.

Mayor Lopez disclosed that fish catch in coastal areas in his town has been low but this project dubbed as “Ating Pangalagaan Likas na Yaman” is a long-term scheme to support the rehabilitation of the damage coral reefs. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ >Province of Sarangani </a> (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Holcim donates cement for 4,000 artificial reef domes

MAASIM, Sarangani (August 17, 2013) - Mayor Anecito Lopez Jr.(seated right) signs the Memorandum of Understanding with Holcim Philippines Inc. represented by Base Devilleres, OIC-corporate social responsibility (CSR) and in behalf of Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. at Maasim municipal hall Thursday, August 15. Holcim Philippines Inc. will provide 2,000 bags of cement for the fabrication of estimated 4,000 artificial reef domes for the benefit of Maasim fisherfolk. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a> (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Social media expert inspires Sarangani, GenSan youth-entrepreneurs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (August 17, 2013) - Participants of “NegosYOUNGte: An Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Young Leaders” for General Santos City and Sarangani hold a social media interaction with Jessica Mah (right), CEO of inDinero, an online financial management site which creates software to help small businesses better track and manage their finances. The two-day camp on August 14-15 was conducted by Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation in partnership with the US Embassy Manila. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

US Embassy, Alcantara Foundation train youth for business

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (August 14, 2013) – The US Embassy has partnered with Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation (Alcantara Foundation) in training 40 youth leaders from the grassroots for business and trade.

NegosYoungTE, a two-day entrepreneurship boot camp, was designed to enhance business interests of youth participants from this city and Sarangani province thru a series of workshop sessions that encourage innovative approaches and creativity for long-term investment.

Alcantara Foundation executive director Richlie Lyndon Magtulis explained the boot camp is primarily designed for micro, small entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs. He pointed out the youth should have the “heart” in doing business as they are being capacitated into entrepreneurship.

Magtulis also laid down options to them in engaging into business instead and “create employment” for themselves amidst employment crisis that these students might be dealing when they graduate.

The participants are mostly college students who are already into small business like local food products and accessories.

The workshop also introduced interactive sessions on business planning that included aspects in marketing, organization, finance, social desirability and controls where participants are expected to come up with a business plan.

Jessica Mah, CEO of inDinero, a financial management site which creates software to help small businesses better track and manage their finances, will have social media interaction with the participants via Twitter.

Mah was supposed to have personal interaction with the participants but the US Embassy reportedly issued her a travel advisory that cancelled her trip.

Mah, who studied Computer Science at U.C. Berkeley and has been running businesses since she was 13, was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Inc’s 30 Under 30 lists.

Carmelo Enriquez, project director of Notre Dame Business Resource Center in General Santos City, said thru the boot camp participants would be able to enhance knowledge and skills and could later participate in attaining the so-called “inclusive growth” and generate income and employment with their own small business.

As he said, the Philippines has to achieve “inclusive growth so everyone should be able to benefit from the growth of the economy na hindi ka na maghihintay na mag-trickle down yung benefits. You can create opportunities for yourselves.”  For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a> (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

40 youth leaders in entrepreneurial camp

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (August 14, 2013) - Engr. Nenita Barroso, Department of Trade and Industry provincial director in Sarangani, encourages the 40 youth leaders of General Santos City and Sarangani Province attending the “NegosYOUNGte: An Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Young Leaders” to enhance their interest in trade and business. The two-day camp, held August 14-15, is conducted by Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation in partnership with the US Embassy Manila. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ >Province of Sarangani </a> (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Villagers seed Sarangani Bay with bangus fry

 

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 6, 2013) - Local officials of barangay Sapu Masla release some 336,480 bangus fries into Sarangani Bay during the 64th foundation Anniversary and 8th Kanduli Festival Saturday, July 6. Bangus fry releasing is supported by Alcantara Foundation with the Multi-Year Environment Project which targets the release of 1.5 million bangus fries by the end of 2013. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani< /a>. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani mangroves and SarBay focus of Ocean Month

 

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 31,2013) – Capitol employees join the mangrove planting and Bangus fry releasing in celebration of Ocean Month Friday, May 31, at Kawas beach. Volunteers planted 2,000 saplings and released 100,000 bangus fry into Sarangani Bay in coordination with the LGU Provincial Environment Natural Resources Office and Alcantara Foundation. Volunteers included members of the Philippine National Police, Kawas Youth Care and Sarangani Youth Organization. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani residents celebrate Month of the Ocean

 

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 31, 2013) - A resident joins other volunteers in planting mangroves at the marine forest in Kawas village Friday, May 31, during a planting and fish restocking activity to celebrate the Month of the Ocean. The event was organized by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Sarangani in partnership with Alcantara Foundation which provided mangrove seedlings and bangus fry as part of its "Seed the bay, Save the bay" environmental protection and preservation program. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani Big Brother gears up for Season 6

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 8, 2013) – Annalie Edday, program manager of Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST), welcomes barangay youth volunteers during a training at Kawas Central School. Season 6 of the Sarangani Big Brother opens this summer for a 15-day remedial reading program that will be implemented in partnership with the Alcantara Foundation, Department of Education, QUEST and Sangguniang Kabataan. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Fish restocking in mangrove forest

 

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 20, 2013) - Around 105,000 bangus fingerlings are being released by barangay, municipal and provincial employees to the mangrove forest of barangay Kawas Tuesday, February 19, during a fish restocking activity initiated by Alcantara Foundation in celebration of 100 years of life and legacy of Conrado Alcantara, founder of Alcantara Group. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a> (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mangrove planting

 

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 20, 2013) - Rolando Tuballes, provincial environment and natural resources officer, leads the mangrove planting activity in barangay Kawas Tuesday, February 19. The event is initiated by Alcantara Foundation in celebration of the 100 years of life and legacy of Conrado Alcantara, the founder of Alcantara Group. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a> (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) 

MOU for mangrove reforestation

 

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 20, 2013) - Lydia Octura (3rd right), president of Kawas Boundary Fishermen and Farmers Association and Richlie Lyndon Magtulis, executive director of Alcantara Foundation, sign the Memorandum of Understanding in support for development, management and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code Tuesday, February 19. Also signing as witnesses are from left Rolando Tuballes, provincial environment and natural resources officer; Jonathan Duhaylungsod, provincial agriculturist; Enriquito Daguplo, municipal agriculturist; and Engr. Allan Rivera, municipal environment and natural resources officer. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a> (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Donors lay artificial reef domes in Sarangani Bay

By Jenny Rose de Guzman

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 29, 2012) – September is International Coastal Cleanup month and the deployment of artificial reef domes was the counterpart of donors, volunteers and the provincial government for the celebration.

For this project, World Vision provided the cost of materials and labor in making the artificial reef structures.

The people’s organization, Tinoto Fisherfolk’s Association, labored for the 300 pieces of artificial reef domes.

World Vision, in partnership with Alcantara Foundation, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Environmental Conservation and Protection Center, barangay officials and the 73rd Infantry Battalion worked together in deploying the artificial reefs at barangay Tinoto.

As of Friday (September 28), there were 29 pieces of newly submerged artificial reef domes at the bay of Sarangani in Tinoto.

“Basically the project will help in the conservation and protection of Sarangani Bay,” said Jean delos Santos, project officer of Alcantara Foundation. This is a main program of the Alcantara Foundation under its environment project.

The 73rd Infantry Battalion led the deployment of the heavy structures from the coast to the bay while divers from PENRO, ECPC, and Lemlunay Resort positioned the artificial reef domes underwater.

Other local government units and the management of Lemlunay Resort provided the diving suits, boat and “balsa”.

There are 271 artificial domes to be deployed yet. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani< /a>. (Jenny Rose de Guzman/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Banana project for family livelihood, kids’ education

By Jenny Rose de Guzman

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 29, 2012) – Residents of barangay Alegria have received livelihood assistance in the form of cardava banana seedlings with training on its proper planting and growing.

Barangay Captain Hilario Villamora expressed his gratitude to the people behind the project which he said would greatly help their community and thus convincing the beneficiaries to be responsible with the seedlings.

“Let us take care of these banana seedlings given to us because these could help our families and the education of our children,” Villamora told the beneficiaries.

A ceremonial turn-over and banana leaves livelihood training project was held Thursday (September 27) at barangay Alegria gymnasium initiated by World Vision in partnership with Sarangani Agricultural Company Inc. (SACI), Alcantara Foundation, and the offices of the provincial and municipal agriculturists.

The project aims to help disadvantaged families to use their capacities for sustainable development.

Some 14,000 planting materials (cardava banana seedlings) were sponsored by World Vision, Alcantara Foundation, and SACI for this livelihood assistance project.

To take good care of the seedlings was the appeal of Lyndon Magtulis, executive director of Alcantara Foundation. Magtulis said when the project succeeds and harvest would come, the families must not forget to share the same experience by giving seedlings to their neighbors.

Through this livelihood project, the help extends to the “whole family” and could provide for their children’s education as well, he said.

The provincial and municipal agriculture offices and municipal and barangay officials took part in the project through technical support especially in conducting the training for proper planting and growing of the banana seedlings.

There were a total of 195 registered families with World Vision at barangay Alegria who would benefit from the livelihood assistance. Each family will be trusted with 75 seedlings of cardava banana.

Part of the requirements for acquiring the seedlings for each family is a verified owned land area to plant the banana. It will be monitored by area leaders appointed by World Vision.

As of September 27, a total of 3,000 banana seedlings were initially turned over to the families and it was to be completed within the week. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jenny Rose de Guzman/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Artificial reef domes deployed at fishing village

 

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 28, 2012) - Volunteers from 73rd Infantry Battalion deploy artificial reef domes into Sarangani Bay at the village of Tinoto Friday (September 28). World Vision, in partnership with Alcantara Foundation, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, barangay officials and the 73rd Infantry Battalion deployed 29 artificial reef domes in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Month. There are still 271 pieces of artificial reefs to be released in the area. For more news and updates, please visit the< a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Harvest in community garden

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 10, 2012) - Barangay Captain Jimy Catulong (front)leads barangay council members and residents in harvesting vegetables at the community garden Friday, August 10, in barangay Maribulan. The harvested crops will be offered during the Holy Mass in celebration of the 60th foundation anniversary of the barangay. The Gulayan sa Barangay project is in partnership with Alcantara Foundation through its rural advancement and development program. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Vegetable harvest

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 10, 2012) – The barangay council of Maribulan headed by Barangay Captain Jimy Catulong (10th from right) and Alcantara Foundation personnel headed by its executive director Richlie Lyndon Magtulis (8th from left) with some residents show their harvested vegetables from the community garden Friday, August 10. The harvested crops will be offered during the Holy Mass in celebration of the 60th foundation anniversary of the barangay. The Gulayan sa Barangay project is in partnership with Alcantara Foundation through its rural advancement and development program. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Fish restocking activity

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 9, 2012) - Another batch of 101,640 21-day old bangus fry from Alcantara Foundation are being released into Sarangani Bay by barangay officials and residents of Maribulan as part of their 60th foundation anniversary celebration. The fish restocking activity is part of the commitment of the Alcantara Foundation to release 50 million bangus fry into Sarangani Bay. To date, 381,640 have been released by the foundation. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)