Vice Governor Jinkee gives reading glasses

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 10, 2015) – Dr. Ma. Emily A. dela Pena of Eye Crafter Clinic conducts an Eye Grade Test to a patient during the free eye check-up and giving of reading glasses on June 27. The Emmanuel & Jinkee’s Heart Foundation spearheaded the event dubbed as “Patuloy na Pag-angat ng Kabuhayan at Pamayanan, Libreng Check-up at Salamin Pambasa”, in partnership with the Office of Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao. A total of 182 reading glasses were given to the residents. (Carl Clemence Tolog/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Police heightens community relations

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 10, 2015) - Police Senior Inspector Jaime Dy Chavez educates high school students of Maitum about the best practices of the Maitum Police Station towards the community during the 20th celebration of Police Community Relations (PCR) month at the Maitum municipal auditorium Thursday, July 9. He added that their best practices such as feeding programs, community workshops and seminars promote and strengthen police-community partnership and contributed to the over-all peace and development initiatives in their area of responsibility. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM 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)

July is PCR month

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 10, 2015) - A student from Malalag National High School writes his essay evolving around the theme "Matibay na Ugnayan ng Mamayan at Pulisya, Simbolo ng Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran ng Sambayanan" during the essay writing competition in relation to the 20th celebration of Police Community Relations (PCR) month at the Maitum municipal auditorium Thursday, July 9. The activity which was participated in by students and teachers coming from different high schools of Maitum was conducted by the Philippine National Police. The activity aims to educate students about the relationship being built between the community and the police force. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Starkey coming back for hearing mission

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 10, 2015) – Starkey Hearing Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building better lives for hearing-impaired people across the world, will visit Sarangani the third time for a hearing mission.

This time, the provincial government of Sarangani targets around 1,230 people to benefit from Starkey’s hearing aid gift-giving that costs roughly P15,000 to P20,000 each set.

The visit is slated in November.

Starkey is the world’s leading manufacturer of comprehensive hearing solutions and donates thousands of hearing aids in many countries every year.

At least 385 persons were already screened but only 256 qualified and underwent ear impression while 39 others were referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist volunteer physician for a possible ear infection treatment.

Starkey is the partner foundation of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon’s office in its Serbisyong Sarangan Outreach Program that is anchored on addressing the needs of the less fortunate and people with disability (PWD) who have hearing defects.

The program also serves to create a friendly environment for PWDs in the province.

Program manager Asma Akmad said the partnership with Starkey was an offshoot of their effort of exploring possible partners that could help them “provide the needs of PWDs like hearing aids, and mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches.”

In 2013, Starkey distributed P9.3 million worth of hearing aids to some 1,200 patients in the province.

Last year, a total of 1,570 patients from all over SOCSARGEN area and Cagayan de Oro got their early Christmas gift from the foundation.

Akmad said, Starkey spent around P34.5 million for all types of hearing instruments that were distributed in their 2015 mission in the province. This included the seven specialized hearing aids costing P120,000 a set for those patients with no outer ear.

The provincial government “is very thankful for the assistance of Starkey because we could not cater all concerns of our PWDs here,” Akmad said. “At least, with our partnership with them, the needs of our PWDs could now be answered thru a gift giving from the foundation.”

On July 14 to 17, Akmad and her team will visit Kiamba, Maasim, Glan and Malungon for a phase one hearing screening. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mayor thanks Governor Solon for infra projects

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Mayor Pepito Catimbang thanks Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon for his untiring support to the people of Maitum during the inauguration ceremony of a road concreting project in Barangay Sison Wednesday, July 8. Catimbang said more than P100 million worth of projects have already been poured in by the provincial government to his town. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Solon, officials open new concrete road

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (5th from right) and Mayor Pepito Catimbang (5th from left) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony for 1,334 meters of concrete road in Barangay Sison. The Kabisig farm-to-market road amounting to P11,012,350 was inaugurated Wednesday, July 8. The road concreting funded by Department of Agriculture-Food Security Projects (DA-FSP) was counter parted by Sarangani provincial government with P2 million. Also in   photo are Board Member Elmer de Peralta (3rd from left), Board Member George Falgui (3rd from right), provincial engineer Jerry Belbider (extreme right), Engr. Robert Lumayag (2nd from right), and contractor Arlyn Congson (4th from right) of N. Congson Construction, Barangay Captain Ramil Tugade (4th from left) and council and staff of Barangay Sison. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Solon, local officials inaugurate FMR

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon speaks at the inauguration ceremony of a paved farm-to-market road (FMR) in Barangay Sison Wednesday, July 8. Governor Solon said infrastructure projects like establishment of road network are among his priorities for economic growth. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ylang-ylang project launched in Maitum

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Women of the community and residents of Maitum troop to a nursery for Ylang-ylang seedlings to be planted in nearby hills during the Ylang-ylang project launching at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo Wednesday, July 8. There were 10,000 seedlings distributed to some 400 participants for the tree planting activity. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ylang-ylang project for women’s livelihood

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Mayor Pepito Catimbang thanks Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon for making the Ylang-ylang project possible during its launching at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo Wednesday, July 8. The Ylang-ylang project was initiated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in partnership with the Maitum Municipal Council of Women and in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Maitum. This project hopes to develop the capability to produce the finest Ylang-ylang oil for women's livelihood. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Women’s council chair takes Ylang-ylang challenge

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) -  Maitum Municipal Council of Women chairperson Perlita Ampodia accepts the challenge of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon in making not just the women of the community but also its local residents to engage and be active participants in the Ylang-ylang project. The project was launched at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center Wednesday, July 8. The fragrant extract of the Ylang-ylang is a top choice and one of valuable ingredients among manufacturers of aromatic soaps, shampoos, lotions, mouthwash, and even novelty items like scented and mosquito repellant candles. Ampodia has hopes in developing the capability to produce the finest Ylang-ylang oil in later part and surely help to provide a sustainable community in the long run. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Women planting Ylang-ylang in Maitum

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) -  Maitum Municipal Council of Women members break the ice as they wait for the program to start during the Ylang-ylang project launching at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo Wednesday, July 8. Ylang-ylang extract produces perfumes and high-grade essential oils and is rising into the global trade since. This project hopes to develop the capability to produce the finest Ylang-ylang oil for women's livelihood. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Romancing the scent of Ylang-ylang

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Tboli chieftain Basilio Kusin renders a Tboli song as an intermission number before proceeding to the tree planting activity during the Ylang-ylang project launching at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo Wednesday, July 8. His song stated that if a Tboli man keeps an Ylang-ylang flower in his pocket, the scent of the flower will surely attract women. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM 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)

Governor Solon launches Ylang-ylang project

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon encourages the Maitum Municipal Council of Women to be consistent in being active in Ylang-ylang project during its launching at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo Wednesday, July 8. The Ylang-ylang project was initiated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in partnership with the Maitum Municipal Council of Women and in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Maitum. 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 as part of the program launching. Ylang-ylang extract produces perfumes and high-grade essential oils and is rising into the global trade since. This project hopes to develop the capability to produce the finest Ylang-ylang oil for women's livelihood. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pregnant women take Nutrition Month lessons

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Pregnant women listen closely as municipal health office workers give them a lecture on how to be mindful of their health and that of their baby during the Nutrition Month celebration at the municipal gymnasium Monday, July 6. The celebration was participated in by over 300 residents, some 200 of them pregnant women. The rest were from the municipal government, barangay officials and some interested individuals. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Nutrition + exercise = correct weight

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - A healthy pregnant woman introduces herself before the crowd during the search for healthy preggies and kiddies in line with the celebration of Nutrition Month 2015 at the municipal gymnasium Monday, July 6. Nutrition Month aims to make people aware about how they can prevent obesity. It celebrates with the theme "Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo” (Correct weight through right nutrition and exercise). (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Maitum launches Nutrition Month

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Doctor Marielyn Silauso performs free oral examination to a pregnant client during the launching of Nutrition Month 2015 at the municipal gymnasium Monday, July 6. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

“10 Kumainments” for proper nutrition

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Municipal health office workers show the “10 Kumainments" to Municipal Hall officials and employees during the flag raising ceremony Monday, July 6. The list is a reminder in line with the launching of the Nutrition Month celebration with the theme "Timbang iwasto sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo” (Correct weight through right nutrition and exercise). (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Septuagenarian finishes high school thru ALS

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 1, 2015) - Erlinda Canonigo (2nd left), 70, of Barangay Kihan, Malapatan is among the 200 students who graduated from high school thru the Alternative Learning System (ALS) together with 21 others who finished elementary under ALS. Their graduation ceremony was held at the Capitol gym Tuesday, June 30. Canonigo was the oldest ALS graduate. 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)