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)

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)

Residents plant 10,000 Ylang-ylang seedlings

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Rolando Tuballes, provincial environment and natural resources officer, demonstrates to participants how to plant the Ylang-ylang seedlings properly during the Ylang-ylang project launching at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo Wednesday, July 8. The launching was participated in by over 400 people coming from the different barangays of Maitum and its neighboring municipalities who planted 10,000 Ylang-ylang seedlings. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM 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)

Women in eco-waste skills training

ALABEL, Sarangani (March 27, 2015) - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office conducts an eco-waste basic entrepreneurial skills training at the provincial jail on March 24 in celebration of Philippine Women’s Month. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Seminar on waste management

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 24, 2015) – Capitol employees attend a waste management training on February 18. The training was spearheaded by the office of Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao in coordination with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial General Services Office, Provincial Security Guard and HRMO. (Tres Besana/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

PENRO hosts eco-waste skills training

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 9, 2014) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) facilitates two days of eco-waste basic entrepreneurial skills training at the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office on November 5-6. The training was a joint activity of the provincial government of Sarangani thru PENRO and the MENRO in partnership with Sarangani Energy Corporation. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION 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)

Cacao seen as promising crop in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 13, 2014) - Simon Bakker (standing), president of Kennemer Foods International (KFI) Inc., presents to Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, PENRO Rolando Tuballes (2^nd from left) and Ely Uy (3^rd from left) of the agriculture office on September 11 the promising benefits of growing cacao in Sarangani. Cacao is one of the perennial crops with a relatively short gestation period that is suitable in the province with sure market, can provide good income and be intercropped with other crops, especially coconut trees. The Philippines, as a whole, is declared an ideal place for cacao due to soil composition and climatic conditions and is already producing 6,000 to 8,000 tons a year. Gov. Solon plans to take Bakker around the province for ocular visit of potential sites. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Vice Governor Pacquiao attends sanitation workshop

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (August 20, 2014) – Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao, Board Member Eduardo Paras Sr., PENRO department head Rolando Tuballes listen as Karl Galing, country manager of Water Sanitation Program (WSP)–World Bank, discusses the progress and impact of the Rural Sanitation Program in the province during the Scaling Up Rural Sanitation Program Implementation Review and Planning Workshop on August 18 at Greenleaf Hotel. During the workshop, Vice Governor Pacquiao also gave her welcome remarks where she informed the participants of the proposed ordinance on strengthening the sustainable sanitation program by eradicating open defecations in the province. Inset: Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora–Pacquiao together with WSP–World Bank project staff headed by Galing; Dr. Rafaida Hernandez (in plain white shirt), Malungon Municipal Health Officer; and Dr. Arvin Alejandro, Provincial Health Officer. (Quenny D. Dandan/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Red Cross thanks Gov. Solon

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 7, 2014) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (3rd from left) receives a plaque of appreciation and token for the partnership, sterling contribution, commitment and support selflessly extended to the success of implementation of the 2013 Dugtong Buhay Project Blood Service Program during the flag raising ceremony at Capitol on August 4. Federico Yadao, medical technologist, also received a plaque of appreciation from Philippine Red Cross represented by member of the board Engr. Nenita Barroso (center). Also in photo are Board Member Cesar Nallos Jr. (extreme left), Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (2nd from left), Dr. Arvin Alejandro, OIC-Provincial Health Officer (3rd from right) and Nemrad Butil of Provincial Environment Natural Resources office. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Board Members lead tree-growing trip

MALUNGON, Sarangani (June 27, 2014) – Board Member Elmer de Peralta, Acting Vice Governor, talks before government and non-government workers during the tree-growing activity at 1002nd Brigade Camp Agaab in sitio Pulatana, Malandag on June 25. Also present were Board Members Cesar Nallos, Virgilio Clark Tobias, Hermie Galzote, Eduardo Paras and 1002nd Brigade Commander Col. Ronald Villanueva. The activity was in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Municipality of Malungon, DPWH, DENR and Philippine Army. (Marvin N. Soler/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Will there be new Sarangani Bay swim record?

By JOY R. SEVILLA

GLAN, Sarangani (April 23, 2014) – Swimmers from General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sarangani and even from Manila and Cebu will display endurance and speed as they attempt to conquer Sarangani Bay in record time on May 16 for a 15-kilometer swim from Maasim to Glan.

Will the 2:34:21 hours record of Dadiangas Torpedoes be broken? – that’s the million-dollar question.

Nemrad Butil, of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and organizer of the 9^th Swim-Across-Sarangani Bay Competition, said the teams who will join in the competition are also those who joined in the previous years. However, some members per team may have to be replaced.

He said a team from General Santos City has invited swimmers from Cebu and Manila to take the challenge.

Sarangani’s swim-across-the-bay is the longest swim in the country. The open ocean swimming race remains to be the much-awaited sports event of SarBay.

This is the longest open ocean marathon swimming competition probably in Asia.

“Kailangan talaga na may bagong swimmers kada-taon sa bawat team to give chance to other swimmers. This competition is limited to ten teams only,” explained Butil.

He added that the teams, composed of five members each, are from Polomolok, Lake Sebu, Koronadal City, Sarangani and General Santos.

Butil said “I Conquer Sarangani Bay” will be embedded in the winners’ medals.

“Pinalitan natin yung ‘Sarangani Bay Invasion’. Hindi kasi lahat naka-cross ng Sarangani Bay through swimming,” Butil said.

Organizers are looking forward for more competent and record-breaking swimmers this year.

Last year, 11 year-old Alyssa Damasco from Kabacan, Cotabato was the youngest swimmer. The fastest team finished the race an hour earlier than expected. An average team can finish the competition in four hours.

2013 champion Dadiangas Torpedoes team (2:34:21 hours) has been breaking its own record in the most grueling sport of SarBay Fest, the biggest beach party in Southern Philippines. It was in 2007 that the Torpedoes set their first championship record of 2:50:15.

Aside from medals and trophies, cash prizes are at stake for all participating teams. Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) awaits the team to win first place; P35,000 for the second place; and, P25,000 for the third place. All finishers shall also be awarded with a medal of “Invaders” and consolation cash prize of P6,000 per team.

Butil added that all swimmers who participated and successfully swam across Sarangani Bay will be properly recognized. As a token of recognition, the names of all swimmers who have successfully crossed the finish line shall also be logged in the “Book of Invaders”.

“Hindi lang endurance ang iku-consider dito pero pati na ang speed,” he said.

Rolando Tuballes, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the objective of the competition is to raise awareness in protecting and conserving Sarangani Bay aside from promoting eco-tourism in the province.

The 9^th Swim Across Sarangani Bay Competition, organized by the PENRO in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Provincial Governor’s Office is just one of the events that beach enthusiasts and party-goers look forward to every year in celebration of SarBay Festival. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani conducts marine mammal stranding response training

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 10, 2014) - Professor Lemuel Aragones, University of the Philippines professor and president of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network (PMMSN), gives a lecture to some personnel of the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices and Office of the Municipal Agriculturists of the different municipalities of Sarangani during the first day of the Marine Mammal Conservation and Stranding Response Training-Workshop which runs from April 8-10 at the Kasfala Hall, Capitol Compound. The training aims to have a continuing advocacy drive down to the community level on survey and monitoring of marine mammal occurrence, and technical training, documentation and response on marine mammal stranding. The training is facilitated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, in coordination with the Provincial Veterinarian's Office, the Sarangani Wildlife Protection and Response Team, DENR 12, and the PMMSN. Also in photo is Rolando Tuballes (extreme left), provincial ENRO. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani PAMB convenes

KIAMBA, Sarangani (March 26, 2014) – The Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS)- Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) executive committee convenes at Kiamba Municipal Hall Monday, March 24. Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (extreme left) shared his insights for SBPS-PAMB. The meeting was also called for concerns on the two whale sharks (Butanding) found in Sarangani Bay and their protection and contribution to ecotourism. The whale sharks were first sighted in Sarangani Bay in early March 2014. Local Officials headed by Mayor Raul Martinez and Vice Mayor Martinez support the formulation of regulations to protect the bay. The meeting was led by Regional Executive Director Tungko Saikol (center) of Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 12 and Protected Area Superintendent – SBPS Dirie Macabaning (extreme right). (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Sarangans laud Team BUNDOL for winning TAYO 11's Coke Barkada Award

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 17, 2014) - They are a pool of young people of different personalities.  They are mountaineers, but what made them different from the others is having the right heart.

About three or four years ago, they started their trek in the mountains of Sarangani.  Team BUNDOL (Backpackers United for the Defense of Life) as they call themselves could have just climbed and be fulfilled.  However, as they hike, they saw and felt that there’s more into what they are just doing.  According to the leader of the team, Ariel Lalisan, who teaches high school, one thing they are advocating is to promote the eco-tourism of the province.  Then, it goes with teaching others on protecting the resources. 

This is why team BUNDOL has organized activities related with preserving the environment and its natural resources, such as tree growing and clean up drives.  These led the communities to think not just for themselves but for the whole of Sarangani and for the country.  Sarangani is well-known for its beauty.

“Noong minsang umakyat kami, nakita naming ang kalagayan ng mga eskwelahan, naglalakad ang mga bata ng kilu-kilometro pero pagdating sa paaralan, wala silang halos magamit na libro at iba pang kagamitan,” Lalisan said.

This has brought them to scout for partners in various organizations in private and in government to provide them with books and other materials for their organized community events.

Just last year, team members decided to join in TAYO or Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the Philippines.  Sure enough, they have attracted the attention of the judges, including its partner, the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI). Team BUNDOL was the Coke Barkada Awardee.

Sarangans, officials and the employees of the provincial Capitol recognized their efforts as they were presented by Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon during a regular assembly.

“These are young people who proved that they can do something more that is expected and be good models to other youth.  We should be really proud of them,” Solon said.

The award did not mean the end of their trek, but this has motivated the team to reach higher peaks, help communities and to teach every Sarangan the value of what God has given us.

Gov. Solon and Lalisan agreed to continue with the partnership, because the present programs and priorities of the provincial government and Team BUNDOL’s goals go well together.

“We have been supporting the endeavors of the team, and we continue to support them now and in the future,” Solon added.

This coming March, CCFPI will visit the team in Sarangani and will go to different communities with BUNDOL.

TAYO, CCFPI and the National Youth Commission continue to seek for inspiring stories all around the country.  This is held every year to encourage other youth to be involved and be active partners in nation-building.  This is what they recognized in the hearts of these young people in Sarangani. (Charito Ansagay/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Sarangani’s Team Bundol wins TAYO 11’s Coke Barkada Award

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 17, 2014) - Members of the Team BUNDOL (Backpackers United For the Defense of Life) get the title as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in the country.  They were given recognition recently by Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. (Jake T.  Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)