ALS produces 221 graduates

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 1, 2015) – Candidates for graduation thru the Alternative Learning System prepare to march during their graduation ceremony Tuesday, June 30, at the Capitol gym with the theme “Saktong Buhay: Kalidad na Edukasyon Pinanday”. Among the 600 examination takers, 21 passed from the elementary and 200 from high school. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ALS confers special award

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 1, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (right) congratulates the special awardee of Alternative Learning System (ALS) Andres Dialane, 20, from Malungon during the graduation rites at the Capitol gym Tuesday, June 30. Dialane narrated his hardships as he strives to learn despite being physically challenged. ALS is a parallel learning system that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction. When one does not have or cannot access formal education in schools, ALS is an alternate or substitute. ALS includes both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

U4U Teen Trail held

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) - Dave Sapalo, a U4U youth facilitator, discusses the rights of teens to protection against human trafficking, child abuse and child prostitution during the U4U Teen Trail Tuesday, June 23. The activity is a component of the province wide health caravan dubbed as Universal Health Care High Impact Five of the Department of Health which involves provision of various health services such as medical, dental, laboratory, HIV/AIDS screening and counseling and lectures for the youth. The teen trail is part of the U4U Program (You-for-You), a Youth Hub Initiative of the Philippine Commission on Population (POPCOM) supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The program aims to deliver critical information to Filipino teens aged 10-19 to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections through online and mobile platforms. The event was conducted in partnership with the Gal E’ Libun: True Love Waits project of the Office of Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao. (Carl Clemence F. Tolog/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Two computers for RTC Branch 38

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) – Court officers receive from Congressman Manny Pacquiao two computer units for Regional Trial Court Branch 38 Monday, June 22. The turnover coincided with the switching on rites of LED streetlights at the national highway in front of the Capitol compound. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Philhealth services at health caravan

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) – Philhealth cards are given free to indigents as part of the Hi-5 Caravan Tuesday, June 23, at the Capitol gym. Some 2,818 persons availed of the services like pediatric, dental, minor surgery, bloodletting, youth intervention activities and HIV testing, family planning, nutrition, sanitation, fire and earthquake drills, and other laboratory services. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lights on at Capitol highway

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) – Congressman Manny Pacquiao switched on the LED streetlights at the national highway in front of the Capitol Monday, June 22. The P21.6-million streetlight project is within the Sarangani-Davao Del Sur Road connecting the eastern municipalities of Sarangani to General Santos City. Two kilometers of the highway were installed with 142 streetlights. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

JINKEENATION joins health caravan

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) - Dr. Arvin Alejandro (2nd from right), provincial health officer, presents to Congressman Manny Pacquiao and Vice Gov. Jinkee Jamora Pacquiao the various toilet bowl models used in different areas in Sarangani during the health caravan Tuesday, June 23. This is part of the showcasing of sanitation products of the JINKEENATION project of the Provincial Vice Governor’s Office in partnership with World Bank - Water and Sanitation Program. JINKEENATION is the sanitation program in support to the provincial goal of Sarangani as a 100% zero open defecation area by 2016. (Quenny Dandan/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Gov. Solon leads Hi-5 Caravan

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 25, 2015) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon speaks before thousands of patients and health workers who trooped to the Hi-5 Caravan at the Capitol gym Tuesday, June 23. The health caravan focused on the promotion of health information and services on maternal and child health, men’s health, adolescent health, health for the elderly, and nutrition. (Queeny Dandan/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Hi-5 Caravan fast-tracks health targets

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 24, 2015) – The Department of Health (DOH) has refocused priorities on key universal health care interventions to ensure high impact health outcomes are obtained through a nationwide Hi-5 Caravan.

According to provincial health officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro, Hi-5 Caravan, which stands for High Impact Five universal health care interventions, is DOH’s strategy to fast track accomplishments on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6.

MDG 4 is anchored on reducing child mortality, MDG 5 is for improving maternal health and MDG 6 is for combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.

Alejandro cited the sluggish progress towards realizing the goals on time which the country has agreed with the United Nations to be 2015.

Hence initiatives from the national government to focus on these goals were made and ensuring “all constituents nationwide should be aware of the services” and ultimately reach the targets.

In his keynote speech, DOH Region 12 director Teogenes Baluma said the caravan was part of the Aquino administration’s Kalusugan Pangkalahatan or Universal Health Care agenda to improve health outcomes like maternal and child care, the most vulnerable population.

But the caravan also offered a range of health service packages including those for adolescents, men, persons with disability and the elderly.

In Sarangani, a total of 2,818 persons availed of the services like pediatric, dental, minor surgery, Philhealth related concerns, bloodletting, youth intervention activities and HIV testing, family planning, nutrition, sanitation, fire and earthquake drills, and other laboratory services during the Hi-5 Caravan held Tuesday (June 23).

These services, however, are regularly provided by the provincial health office and in the municipal health offices especially for the indigents as “health is one of the top priorities” of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.

Governor Solon said “it is very important to us that the population of Sarangani remains healthy” as he lamented that the indication of poverty is either falling into bad health or remaining into poor health.

Lorenzo Tan, 45 years old and residing in a far-flung barangay in Alabel, was one of those who availed of the free minor surgery. A marble-size cyst in his foot that has been bothering him since 2000 was finally extracted during the caravan.

He said he was very lucky to have undergone the surgery for free as it would cost him thousands of pesos in a private hospital.

Tan, who has 13 children, cultivates his small parcel of land that produces around two sacks of copra quarterly and plants banana for additional income.

Meanwhile, director Baluma reported that Sarangani is improving its performance in terms of health and credited it also to the leadership governance program that changed the perspective of local chief executives on health. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Abot Alam Program pushed in Sarangani

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 19, 2015) – Education Secretary Armin Luistro has pushed for the roll out in Sarangani of Abot Alam Program, describing it as the “last mile” intervention of his department.

Over the years, Luistro said, the Department of Education (DepEd) primarily focused its concern on the development of students who are in school. Yet there were many who have finished elementary a decade ago but were never given a chance to be in high school.

Abot Alam is an interagency convergence effort to reach out around a million out-of-school youth (OSY) in the country in 2014 and another million in 2015 to provide them appropriate intervention in education, entrepreneurship or employment.

In Sarangani, from the 14,000 OSY ageing 15 to 30 years old that the schools division office mapped out as the balik-aral population, around 11,000 of them registered to the Abot Alam Program whose implementation started last March.

Abot Alam is DepEd’s national strategy in line with its goal of achieving education for all and of the Millennium Development Goal targets to locate OSY nationwide who have not completed basic or higher education or who are unemployed.

The program was primarily aimed at creating a database of all OSY in the country, unify efforts of various agencies towards addressing OSY problems and ensure that they have the access to these stakeholders’ programs and services.

Luistro said the program would bring education closer to those who have missed the chance to once again develop their stock abilities which they could eventually share to others.

As he lamented the OSYs’ plight, Luistro said “hindi po sila bobo. Hindi po sila mang-mang. Nawalan lang sila ng pagkakataon na ibigay ng gobyerno o ng mga eskwelahan natin para makatapos ng kanilang high school.”

Abot Alam, he said, hopes to address this. After all, he added, it is the responsibility of DepEd to provide them avenues to fulfill their dreams.

“Responsibilidad po natin bilang kagawaran na siguraduhin na hindi lamang ang nangangarap, pati yung nahihirapan ng mangarap at pati na rin yung ayaw nang mangarap, na buksan muli ang ating pintuan para muli silang makapagpangarap ng kinabukasan.”

On his onsite visit to the municipality of Glan, Luistro tapped barangay captains to help in doing house to house census of OSY below 30 years old for the Abot Alam facilitators to handle under modular learning program.

There are a total of 148 facilitators deployed in Sarangani with at least 75 learners each to handle.

With the implementation of Abot Alam, the DepEd division office reported an increase of enrollees to informal education to 14,000 this year compared to 6,000 in 2014.

Last year, around 1,442 completed the Basic Literacy Program; some 899 learners completed the Accreditation and Equivalency in both elementary and secondary programs; and around 1,161 learners completed the program handled by District Alternative Learning System coordinators.

These are all informal education programs of DepEd for dropouts in elementary and secondary schools, out-of-school youth and non-readers. It is part of the education system of the Philippines but an alternative to the regular classroom studies where facilitators still have to go thru tiring trips in accessing far-off barangays just to conduct sessions.

Luistro complimented the facilitators’ sacrifices as he also lauded them for representing as the “face of DepEd” to the remotest areas in the Philippines where, according to him, “ang mga pangarap ay pilit nang kinalimutan.”

To ensure that interactive learning takes place in communities, Luistro donated a total of 76 laptops for DepEd Region 12 where the schools divisions of South Cotabato, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani received 19 units each.

According to Luistro, the laptops were smuggled items seized by the Bureau of Customs which he lobbied to be donated to DepEd for the use of teachers instead of having them auctioned off.

Meanwhile, DepEd Region 12 director Allan Farnazo enjoined the support of all teaching and non-teaching personnel in the region to the Abot Alam Program. “This is our program and everyone is encouraged to conduct advocacy campaign to give equal opportunities to those learners who have not finished their basic education in the formal schools.”(Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Women Health and Livelihood Trainings completed

KIAMBA, Sarangani (June 18, 2015) - Theofany Cabanda, resource person, assists members and officers of the Women In Nation Development of Sarangani (WINDS) of Lomuyon Association in formulating their budget and financial management plan during the Strategic Planning Training at Barangay Poblacion on June 10-11. This training is the last leg of the series of Women Health and Livelihood trainings under the Gal E’ Libun (Strength of Women) Project of the Office of Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao. Inset: Some of the members who have completed the training show their certificate of completion during the graduation ceremony. Some 30 members successfully finished all Gal E’ Libun: Women Health & Livelihood Trainings. Overall, the training has benefited over 200 association members coming from seven selected associations all over the province, namely: Margus Producers Asso., Purok Jolohano Women’s Asso., Purok Eleven Kawas Women’s Asso., Kiblat Women’s Asso., Retired AFP/PNP Dependents & Widows Asso., WINDS of Lomuyon Asso., and Ticulab Women Association. (Carl Clemence Fontanilla Tolog/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Sec. Luistro visits Sarangani

GLAN, Sarangani (June 6, 2015) – Education Secretary Armin Luistro meets Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao, Mayor Victor James Yap Sr. and Vice Mayor Vivien Yap on his brief stopover from an onsite visit to schools in Balut Island and Sarangani town on June 2. Luistro was calling for support for his Abot Alam Zero OSY (Out-of-School Youth) program which aims to bring education closer to those who have not finished their studies. (Tres B. Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani grants incentives to provincial employees

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 6, 2015) – Members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan approve Friday, June 5, “Special Ordinance Authorizing the Grant of the FY 2015 Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) Equivalent to One Month Basic Salary to Each Qualified Government Employee of the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Subject to the Provisions of Executive Order No. 181 Issued by the President of the Philippines to Other Applicable Laws, Rules and Regulations”. A total amount of P13,812,931 from the Personal Services (PS) lapses fund from months of January to May 2015 will be granted to 675 provincial employees. The provincial government of Sarangani has been certified by the Department of Interior and Local Government as passer of Good Financial Housekeeping (formerly the Seal of Good Housekeeping) and a full compliant with the full disclosure policy. (Romina Boaquina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE

Rep. Pacquiao leads Balik Eskwela gift-giving

KIAMBA, Sarangani (June 6, 2015) – Congressman Emmanuel D. Pacquiao gives school supplies and packed meals to pupils during the Balik Eskwelang Handog ng Emmanuel and Jinkee’s Heart Foundation on June 1 at Kiamba Civic Center. This project, which is in partnership with the Provincial Vice Governor’s Office, has benefitted over 1,000 Grade 1 to 6 students coming from selected schools in Kiamba, especially from the Indigenous People’s community. The program was conducted in the seven municipalities of the province with over 7,000 beneficiaries. (Quenny D. Dandan /VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

PRDP team inspects Maitum FMR project

MAITUM, Sarangani (June 6, 2015) -  Engr. Eric Mammag, alternate head of the National Project Coordination Office PRDP I-BUILD, checks the area of the road to be improved in Pangi-Kiambing farm-to-market-road project during an inspection in Barangay Kiambing on June 3. According to the inspection team, the accomplishment is on time and it passed the quality assurance set by PRDP. (Joyltn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Planning for peace

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (June 6, 2015) - Jennifer Kamid (standing) of Sulong Kapayapaan under Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon’s Sulong Sarangani program facilitates the strategic planning workshop for Peace and Development Advocates League (PDAL). The PDAL workshop was attended by Muslim elders and peacekeepers of the seven towns of Sarangani. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

MOA signed for Abot Alam

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 6, 2015) - Education Secretary Armin Luistro signs the Memorandum of Agreement for 76 laptops to Abot Alam program that aims to zero in on Out-of-School Youth at Alabel National High School on June 2. Also in the photo is Dr. Allan Farnazo, regional director of DepEd Region 12. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Maitum implements P29-M FMR project

MAITUM, Sarangani (June 6, 2015) - Engr. Eric Mammag, alternate head of the National Project Coordination Office PRDP I-BUILD, checks the material testing result of the improvement of Pangi-Kiambing farm-to-market-road (FMR) project as municipal engineer Milrose dela Cuadra looks on during the inspection in Barangay Pangi on June 3. The inspection is done to ensure that civil works and other components of the P29-million FMR project are well implemented in accordance with approved plans. According to the inspection team, the accomplishment is on time and it passed the quality assurance set by PRDP. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Kids receive school supplies

GLAN, Sarangani (June 6, 2015) – Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s eldest son Michael Pacquiao (3rd from right) gives kids school supplies from the Emmanuel and Jinkee’s Heart Foundation in time for the opening of classes. The foundation targets to give school supplies to some 10,500 pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 6 throughout Sarangani. (Tres B. Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gifts from Emmanuel and Jinkee’s Heart Foundation

MAITUM, Sarangani (June 6, 2015 ) – Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao and Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao are together in giving school supplies and packed meals to pupils during the Balik Eskwelang Handog ng Emmanuel and Jinkee’s Heart Foundation on June 1 at Maitum Municipal Gymnasium. Almost 1,000 elementary pupils from different schools in the municipality benefitted from the event. This project, which is in partnership with the Provincial Vice Governor’s Office, intended to benefit about 7,000 elementary pupils in the seven municipalities of the province. (Carl Clemence/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)