Sulong Kaligtasan leads bamboo planting

MAITUM, Sarangani (August 5, 2015) - Sulong Kaligtasan, in collaboration with the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office represented by forester Emie Alvin Gler (2nd from right), delivers 12,000 bamboo seedlings to the barangay council of Kalaong headed by Barangay Captain Linda Narte (extreme right) on July 29. The distribution of bamboo seedlings is intended for riverbank rehabilitation of the province to prevent flash floods and soil erosion. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ECPC holds biodiversity assessment

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 19, 2015) - The Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC) conducts a biodiversity assessment at Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo. The recent research activity aims to promote proper resource management through resource profiling and identification of fauna and flora specie present in the area for management and implementation of programs for their protection as their presence is of utmost importance for sustainability and integrity. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

PENRO, police seize illegal charcoal

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 10, 2015) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and Philippine National Police confiscate 837 sacks of Ipil-ipil charcoal while being transported without any certificate of verification. The illegal charcoal which originated from the municipalities of Malapatan and Alabel are now stored at the Capitol grounds. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

WASAR trainees graduate in Maitum

MAITUM, Sarangani (June 2, 2015) - Trainees of the week-long Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training listen as their fellow trainees speak and recall embarrassing moments of their training during the WASAR culmination program on May 29. The WASAR training was assisted by the Sultan Kudarat Rescue Team with 30 trainees from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government employees, Kabalikat Civicom members, and interested residents. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarbay citizens join clean-up party

GUMASA, Sarangani (May 21, 2015) – An event was added to Sarbay Fest on Sunday, May 17. Participants in the Sarbay Clean-up Party were given a trash bag (which was part of the environmental fee upon entrance). For every five kilos of garbage submitted by every person, a token was given in exchange, courtesy of SarBay partners Smart Telecom, Globe Telecom, 2Go, and Coca-Cola. Meanwhile, the first 50 participants who presented eight kilos of collected rubbish received a personalized SarBay shirt from Smart Telecom. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pinoy Aquaman lands in historic site

GLAN, Sarangani (May 11, 2015) - Bohol-based lawyer Ingemar Macarine, also known as the Pinoy Aquaman, poses at Sumbang Point with the team of media and rescuers who escorted his swim from Maasim to Glan Sunday, May 10. Sumbang Point is a place in Glan where Spanish navigator Ruy Lopez de Villalobos sailed in 1543 in search for provisions according to historical accounts. Who would ever believe historic Sarangani Bay (mentioned in Antonio Pigafetta’s epic journal of Magellan’s expedition), the deepest bay in the Philippines, can be conquered with human prowess? (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bohol lawyer makes 1st solo swim of Sarangani Bay

By MELODY COSEP and BEVERLY PAOYON
GLAN, Sarangani (May 11, 2015) – A Bohol-based lawyer fought strong current...s Sunday (May 10) in the first-ever solo swim of Sarangani Bay from Maasim to Sumbang Point.

Atty. Ingemar Macarine covered a distance of 12.95 kilometers in 5:55 hours. He said it was one of his most difficult swims.

Strong currents kept pulling him off course so he had to change direction more than 16 times.
“Nakaluha ko ganina kay na reach nako ang Sumbang Point kay sa swim may possibility nga dili ma reach ang target,” Macarine said.

Sumbang Point is a place in Glan where Spanish navigator Ruy Lopez de Villalobos sailed in 1543 in search for provisions according to historical accounts.

“Na feel daw niya na maski unsa nya langoy kusog daw kayo ang sulog,” said Tres Besana, videographer of Sarangani Information Office.

The average speed of Macarine, a pioneer in solo channel swimming in the Philippines, was 2.65 kph with a brief stop every 30 minutes for energy drink or feeding. After covering 6.79 kilometers in three hours, his speed increased to 2.40 kph.

He constantly used freestyle and had no difficulty with his swimming techniques. He was calm and seemed just like practicing throughout the course.

Despite finishing the swim at Sumbang Point instead of the original route in barangay Tango, a few kilometers away, Macarine still considers this swim a successful one because his intention was really to swim from Maasim to any point in Glan.

Atty. Macarine started the swim by reading the Bible and by praying.While swimming, he said, he kept repeating Psalm 23 in his mind, and the thought of his wife and kids waiting for him to finish at the other side of the bay.He was escorted by two boats. A small one carrying his navigator and a bigger boat loaded with mediamen, rescue team and staff of the Provincial Capitol.

His swim was meant to promote tourism in Sarangani Bay and for clean seas and beaches.
“The swim this morning was my own little way of contributing to the Sarbay tourism of your province,” he said. “Thank you to the provincial government especially to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Ma’am Michelle Solon for sponsoring the swim. Without your support, this event would not have been made possible.”

Sarangani Bay’s strong currents have been bugging swimmers who join Sarbay Festival’s Swim-Across-the-Bay Competition each year.

The fastest time logged is 3:36:46 hours achieved in 2014. This swim relay of five members is one of the most awaited events of Sarbay to be held on May 15-16.

The Swim-across-the-Bay is a brainchild of former Sarangani agriculture chief and marine biologist Giuseppe Chew.“When I made my suggestion to the floor when we had our first meeting to conduct the Sarangani Bay Festival, everyone was laughing at me,” Chew said. “The suggestion was almost killed.”

Chew said the Swim-across-the-Bay “turned out to be the best activity then and highly successful.”
He said it is “the longest open ocean swimming competition in the Philippines and probably in Asia.”
“Who would ever believe historic Sarangani Bay (mentioned in Antonio Pigafetta’s epic journal of Magellan’s expedition), the deepest bay in the Philippines, can be conquered with human prowess?” Chew said.

Michelle Solon, chair of Sarangani Provincial Tourism Council and Region XII Tourism Council hope that the solo swim Of Atty. Macarine would bring more attention to Sarbay. “Atty. Macarine has his advocacies. He is advocating for clean seas. We in Sarangani have the same objective,” Solon said.

In 2006, then Board Member Rommel Tomas Falgui authored a resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan making Sarangani Bay Festival a tool for environmental awareness.

Governor Solon echoed the advocacy of Macarine and noted that Sarangani Bay is a protected seascape through Presidential Decree 756 declared in 1996.

“We are happy that the advocacy of Atty. Macarine is also for clean seas, clean waters, clean beaches and the protection of the environment,” the governor added.

A Surigaonon by birth, Atty. Macarine is now based in Tubigon, Bohol. He is currently the Election Officer of the Municipality of Tubigon. He has finished at least four marathons and four triathlons here and abroad.
Atty. Macarine is the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City, California, USA (2.7km in 1hour on April 7, 2014).

Before his Sarangani Bay swim, the latest in his 10 long-distance swimming feats was the Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to San Remigio, Mainland Cebu swim with a distance of 19.99 km in 7 hours and 45 minutes last April 12, 2015. The swim was to promote climate change awareness and tourism in San Remigio.

Atty. Macarine follows the Marathon Swimming Federation Rules (such as no floating aids of whatever kind, regular swim suits only, and no physical contact with another human being or with the boats).
Among his future plans is a solo swim of the 10km-San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge on May 22, 2015. (Melody Cosep and Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sulong Kalikasan goes bamboo

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 15, 2015) - Rolando Tuballes, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer(PENRO), orients residents on agro-forestry and river bank rehabilitation by planting bamboos. The meeting was held at Barangay Kalaong Tuesday, April 14. Kalaong is a recipient of agro-forestry project of Sulong Sarangani Program under Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and PENRO’s Sulong Kalikasan. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

VG Jinkee calls for enhanced solid waste management

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 17, 2015) - In her inspirational message during the commitment-signing on Enhanced Solid Waste Management Program Monday, March 16, Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao encourages Capitol employees to practice and advocate proper solid waste management. She emphasized that this advocacy is important and relevant to the implementation of the Capitol Beautification and Landscaping Program. Further, this is in compliance to Executive Order No. 10, s. 2008 of the provincial government providing an Enhanced Solid Waste Management Program in all offices and establishment within the Capitol compound and the Enhanced Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Municipality of Alabel. Inset, Vice Gov. Jinkee signs the commitment board.  (Quenny D. Dandan/Vice Govenor’s Office)

SP approves watershed conservation project

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2015) – Board Member Cesar Nallos Jr., environment committee chairman, leads the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) with Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao during its first regular session of the year on January 13 on the  authority of the governor to sign a contract with Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammernarbeit (GIZ)-GmbH-German Development Corporation as the primary funding agency for the project called Conservation of Mt. Latian Complex located in Barangay Datal Anggas, Alabel. The German government will download P1.2 million for the study to be conducted by the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center to conserve the ecosystem and biodiversity in Mt. Latian, viewed as vital for the protection of the watersheds of several major rivers of the province, such as Buayan-Maribulan, Big Glan, Big Lun Masla and Little Lun Masla rivers. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Kiamba police seizes hot lumber from Sultan Kudarat

By MELODY J. COSEP

    

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2014) – Almost P400,000 worth lumber from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat were intercepted by the composite team of Kiamba Police Station and the Provincial Natural Resources Office (LGU-PENRO) at dawn on November 18 at the Community Police Assistance Center (CPAC) No. 1 in Sitio Ubbog, Barangay Badtasan after confirming that the lumber permits were falsified.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of DENR in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat told the Kiamba police that the documents presented were all fake.

Around 2 o’clock in the morning of November 18, the composite team flagged down a white Isuzu Forward truck with plate number MVY-960 driven by Renato Cabucos loaded with 223 flitches of Antipolo, Falcata, DapDap, Ilang-Ilang and Bagras species or a total of 7,050 board feet with an estimated market value of P176,250.

Another green Isuzu truck with plate number GTR-822 was apprehended at 3:47am loaded with 163 log bolts of same species equivalent to P200,000.

Per police initial investigation, the owners of the lumber are Datu Otto Mastura and Datu Sammy Sultan.

Kiamba police has turned over the confiscated lumber including the trucks to CENRO Kiamba as it is the mandate of DENR to file cases against the violators.

The seizure was the provincial government’s immediately response to information given by concerned citizens. Accordingly, another two trucks of similar origin on the same day turned back after learning of the apprehension.

Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Cong. Manny Pacquiao have been stringent in prohibiting any unlawful activity in the province. In a press conference at the Capitol last month, Gov. Solon affirmed that the provincial government is against illegal gambling, mining and timber poaching but is pro-sustainable development.

The firm stand of the officials and the sentiments of the residents have triggered the DENR Regional Office XII to issue an order of moratorium on the issuance of permit to cut in the towns of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum effective October of this year.

Municipal officials are also mobilizing at their level to run against the offenders. Mayor Raul Martinez has been supportive and at the same time leads in the confiscation of illegal logs and in the prevention of illegal mining operations in his town.

Last November 10, the composite team of Sarangani Provincial Police Office led by Col. Emmanuel Peralta, Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB), PENRO-LGU Sarangani and Mines and Geosciences Bureau was able to confiscate mining tools, explosives and equipment  at Sitio Kafugan, Barangay Nalus in Kiamba.

All concerned citizens are encouraged by the local government to give relevant information on illegal activities, assuring the former that their identities will always be concealed and protected. (Melody J. Cosep/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

CENRO Kiamba takes custody of hot lumber, trucks

KIAMBA, Sarangani (November 24, 2014) - Community and Environment of Natural Resource Office (CENRO) Kiamba has taken custody of two trucks loaded with illegal lumber from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on November 19 after confirming that the documents presented were all fake. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lawmen confiscate illegal mining equipment in Kiamba

By MELODY J. COSEP

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2014) – No illegal miners were arrested but lawmen who swooped down in an illegal mining enclave were able to seize mining tools, explosives, and equipment.

The anti-illegal mining operation was conducted by the composite team of Sarangani Provincial Police Office (SPPO), Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) XII, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (LGU-PENRO) on November 10 at Sitio Kafugan, Barangay Nalus in Kiamba.

The seized illegal mining tools were one set of generator with engine (Yongchai), two pieces of electrical fuse, one piece of disposable lighter, one piece Safex-3 explosive-Class 2, one piece of blasting cap, one piece of flashlight, three pieces of detonating cord with blasting caps, one roll of exhaust hose, one piece of mallet, one piece of shovel, three pieces of pump belt, one piece of hacksaw, and more or less 60 pieces of Superdyne Explosives.

Three open makeshift shanties that served as roofing of portal tunnel with more or less 150 meters depth, bunkhouse and dirty kitchen of miners were also found.

The team went to the area by travelling for eight hours along the rugged roads of Barangay New La Union, Maitum and Barangay Nalus, arriving in the site at around 6:30am..

According to SPPO chief Sr. Supt. Emmanuel Peralta who was the overall supervisor of the operation, it was in the year 2010 when reports arose that small-scale mining started to exist in the mountain of Sitio Kafugan. These reports were confirmed after operations have been conducted by the joint teams of PNP Sarangani and Philippine Army on July 19, 2010.

Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Cong. Manny Pacquiao have been stringent in prohibiting any unlawful activity in the province. In a press conference held at Capitol last month, Gov. Solon affirmed that the provincial government is against illegal gambling, mining and timber poaching but is pro-sustainable development.

  

Municipal officials are also mobilizing at their level to run against the offenders. Mayor Raul Martinez has been supportive and at the same time leads in the confiscation of illegal logs and in the prevention of illegal mining operations in his town.

Illegal small-scale mining is a violation of Republic Act No. 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 punishable by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than six years and shall include the confiscation and seizure of equipment, tools and instruments. (Melody J. Cosep/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

DENR stops issuance of permit to cut trees in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 5, 2014) – The DENR and the Provincial Government of Sarangani conclude during the press conference on October 29 after the assessment report and study was presented that natural and physical reasons were the major causes of the October 25, 2014 flooding in Sitio Tual, Poblacion, Kiamba, like the intense rain/high precipitation rate that week especially in the mountains, silted Tual river mouth, high tide, and higher slope which brought more runoff to the gullies and river. Based on the geo-hazard map/study, the area has been previously declared as susceptible to flooding. Contributing factors include the cultivation of forest land to agricultural activities in the upland and the anthropogenic/human activities. Nonetheless, the authorities have been intensifying the campaign and confiscation against anything illegal - timber poaching and mining. Starting October, DENR has already temporarily stopped the issuance of permit to cut. The Sarangani Provincial Government with the support of Kiamba LGU is already in the process of providing relocation site to Kiamba residents living in the danger zone and who were affected by the recent flooding. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Presscon: Are flashfloods in Kiamba caused by mining and logging?

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 5, 2014) – Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon with Board Members Cornelio Martinez Jr. (right, seated), Elmer T. De Peralta (2nd from right) and Hermie Galzote (3rd from right) and other board members like Board Members Cesar Nallos Jr., Virgilio Clark Tobias, George Falgui and Eduardo Paras meet the media on October 29 at the Capitol together with PENRO-DENR head Eduardo Saladero, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 12 chief Engr. Constancio Paye, MGB Geological Services Division head Jaime Flores, CENRO Kiamba officer Abunawas Abduladsis, Col. Paterno Morales of the 1002nd Brigade, Col. Emmanuel Peralta, Atty. Emma Nebran of the Environmental Conservation and  Protection Center (ECPC), PENRO-LGU Sarangani Rolando Tuballes, and PDRRMO Rene Punzalan to present the causes of the October 25, 2014 flooding in Sitio Tual, Poblacion, Kiamba. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

8k Sarangani volunteers plant 114k seedlings on TreeVolution day

By April Jane Cagas Ugsad

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 1, 2014) - Sarangani volunteers planted a total of 114,120 seedlings with 8,066 registered planters who took part in “TreeVolution: Greening MindaNOW,” a project of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on September 26.

Local volunteers, employees and personnel from national and local governments and non-government agencies participated in the planting of Narra seedlings.

TreeVolution is a welcome program since it aligned with the Sulong Kalikasan component of the Sulong Sarangani convergence program of Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon in partnership with Cong. Emmanuel Pacquiao, Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquaio, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The province got 250 hectares in the DENR allocation where Malungon in Barangay San Miguel held the largest area of 100 hectares, and 50 hectares each in Barangay Alegria, Alabel; Barangay Lumasal, Maasim; and Barangay Katubao, Kiamba.

Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon who joined Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino during the planting day in San Miguel, Malungon lauded the activity. “I encourage all Sarangani residents to continue preserving the environment even beyond TreeVolution. Good job to everyone who volunteered,” Solon said.

According to Rolando Tuballes, provincial environment and natural resources officer (PENRO), “we are here to develop environmental awareness and advocacy in line with global warming and climate change and to break the Guinness record of India of most planted trees in an hour.”

The TreeVolution area was comprised of the six regions in Mindanao - Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim in Mindanao. A total of 9,200 hectares was targeted to be planted with 4.6 million seedlings all throughout the island.

India’s record to beat was 1.9 million planted seedlings in an hour. Though there is no official declaration yet, Mindanao has successfully planted more than 3 million seedlings after the massive tree planting activity making it to be the new holder of the title.

TreeVolution primarily aimed to highlight and increase people’s awareness on the National Greening Program of the national government and MinDA’s “MindaNOW, Nurturing our Waters” project thru tree-growing. (April Jane Cagas Ugsad/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Volunteers in MAKIMA plant 39k trees

KIAMBA, Sarangani (September 28, 2014) – Volunteers flock to the registration area during the TreeVolution in Kiamba on September 26. Some 3,833 planters from MAKIMA (Maitum-Kiamba-Maasim) planted 39,120 seedlings in an hour. (Ruel Ampatin/KIAMBA INFO CENTER)

SP member plants during TreeVolution

KIAMBA, Sarangani (September 28, 2014) – Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Elmer De Peralta plants to reach his quota of 20 seedlings planted in an hour during the TreeVolution in Barangay Katubao on September 26. (Ruel Ampatin/KIAMBA INFO CENTER)

Police support TreeVolution

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 28, 2014) - The Philippine National Police of Alabel did not want to miss the historic TreeVolution, a simultaneous tree planting in various locations in Mindanao on September 26. (Martin Fernando E. Bernad Jr./SARANGANI TOURISM AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION CENTER)

Mayor leads 2k TreeVolutionists

KIAMBA, Sarangani (September 28, 2014) – Mayor Raul Martinez does his share in the TreeVolution by leading some 2,000 volunteers in the tree planting at Barangay Katubao on September 26. (Ruel Ampatin/KIAMBA INFO CENTER)