Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Blood donor

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 28, 2010) – Donor Jomar Jalos, a contractual employee of the capitol, shows a bag of his blood during donors’ day at the provincial health office Wednesday, July 28, for the “New Blood for the World”. Scores of employees volunteered to donate blood in celebration of the blood donors’ month. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

USWAG Sarangani showcases private partnerships

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – “This celebration showcases our public-private partnership (towards progress)”, Governor Migs Dominguez said Tuesday, July 27 in a press conference sponsored by Globe Telecom.

Sarangani celebrates its 6th USWAG (United Towards Strong, Wealthy, and Globally Competitive) Sarangani during the week (July 27-August 1) with product exhibits at the Gaisano Mall.

USWAG is Sarangani’s local version of the national Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) week-long celebration.

In Sarangani, Globe has been assisting four of the province’s micro-enterprises that have shown remarkable growth in the last few months.

“We have big plans in SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City , Sultan Kudarat),” Globe regional area head Norma Zamora- Ribo said. “We are right now preparing for another roll-out with our broadband facilities.”

At the press conference, Ribo introduced WiMAX, Globe’s latest broadband technology in 4G signal and the first in the country.

Ribo said Globe plans to build 100 additional sites in Mindanao, 50 of these will be built in the region.

“We are here to make business and to help,” Ribo added.

“Development should start in the community like Ihan,” said Jeffrey Tarayao, corporate social responsibility head. Sitio Ihan Lumad Association (SILA) in Ihan is one of the four communities assisted by Globe who now produces handcrafted basketry, plates, mats, and picture frames from bamboo, abaca, nito and rattan.

SILA members are a group of outlaws who used to attack Globe facilities in the area.

“It was Governor Migs’ idea to spur development in Sarangani,” Tarayao said.

“It is the private sector that builds the economy. We are just providing opportunities where investments will thrive and for our people to improve their way of living,” Dominguez said.

The 6th USWAG Sarangani celebration is dubbed as “Tagumpay Mula sa Kahirapan”.

Department of Trade and Industry provincial director Engr. Nenita Barroso said since 2005 until June this year, business registrants increased in an average of 28 percent every year.

“Consequently, there is an increase of employment for about 29 percent every year,” Barroso said.

“We just want to have alive and thriving business partnerships with the private sectors in the province,” Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry board chairman Bronx Hebrona said. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bridging communities

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez answers a question from the media as the other speakers react (from left) Globe Telecom corporate social responsibility head Jeffrey Tarayao, regional area head Norma Zamora- Ribo, DTI provincial director Nenita Barroso, and Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry board chairman Bronx Hebrona at the press conference sponsored by Globe Tuesday, July 27. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

USWAG food exhibit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – A saleslady tenders food sample to Governor Migs Dominguez of their product, JOEFRANS TUNA based in General Santos City at the opening of this year’s USWAG (United towards Strong, Wealthy And Globally Competitive) Sarangani Tuesday, July 27, at Gaisano Mall. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Quality homemade products

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez checks labels of food products at the USWAG (United towards Strong, Wealthy And Globally Competitive) Sarangani six- day exhibit that started Tuesday, July 27, at Gaisano Mall. Thirty exhibitors from South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City joined this year’s business showcase. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Providing business opportunities

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez emphasizes partnerships between government and the private sectors in bringing development and improving lives in the communities at the USWAG (United towards Strong, Wealthy And Globally Competitive) Sarangani six- day exhibit that started Tuesday, July 27, at Gaisano Mall. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Plaque of appreciation for Globe

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez, with Vice- Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (right), gives a plaque of appreciation to Globe Telecom corporate social responsibility head Jeffrey Tarayao together with Globe officials from Sarangani Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council for helping the province’s micro-entrepreneurs after the press conference Tuesday, July 27, sponsored by Globe. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Maitum food products

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez asks proprietress Nieda Ramos of Cresing’s Food Products, maker of organic rice coffee, about the health benefits of her products from Maitum at the first day of the United towards Strong, Wealthy And Globally Competitive (USWAG) Sarangani Exhibit Tuesday, July 27, at the Gaisano Mall to last on August 1. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Aquaculture products

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – A customer holds a product from Alsons Aquaculture at the first day of the United towards Strong, Wealthy And Globally Competitive (USWAG) Sarangani Exhibit Tuesday, July 27, at the Gaisano Mall to last on August 1. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Press conference

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – A local media man asks a question to the panel, from left, Globe Telecom corporate social responsibility head Jeffrey Tarayao, regional area head Norma Zamora- Ribo, Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez, DTI provincial director Nenita Barroso, and Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry board chairman Bronx Hebrona at the press conference sponsored by Globe Tuesday, July 27. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

USWAG ceremonial ribbon cutting

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 28, 2010) – Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Eleanor Saguiguit and Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated president Cherrylin Marie Espinosa lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting at the opening of this year’s USWAG (United towards Strong, Wealthy And Globally Competitive) Sarangani Tuesday, July 27, at Gaisano Mall with Growth with Equity in Mindanao -3 Deputy Chief of Party John Dorr (back, right) and provincial officials headed by Governor Migs Dominguez. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Monday, July 26, 2010

Part of the message of Pres. Aquino for his first State of the Nation Address

“If the answer to justice is accountability, the answer to the dearth in funds is a new and creative approach to our long-standing problems. We have so many needs: from education, infrastructure, health, military, police and more. Our funds will not be enough to meet them. No matter how massive the deficit is that may keep us from paying for this list of needs, I am heartened because many have already expressed renewed interest and confidence in the Philippines. Our solution: public-private partnerships. Although no contract has been signed yet, I can say that ongoing talks with interested investors will yield fruitful outcomes.”·

“From these public-private partnerships, our economy will grow and every Filipino will be the beneficiary. There are so many sectors that could benefit from this.”·

“A reminder to all: creating jobs is foremost on our agenda, and the creation of jobs will come from the growth of our industries. Growth will only be possible if we streamline processes to make them predictable, reliable and efficient for those who want to invest.”·

“I call on our local government units to review its own procedures. While we look for more ways to streamline our processes to make business start-ups easier, I hope the LGUs can also find ways to implement reforms that will be consistent with the ones we have already started.”· “The time when we will no longer be made to choose between our people’s security and the future of our children is upon us now. Once we implement these public-private partnerships, we will be able to fund public service in accordance with our platform.”·

“These laws serve as the basis of order in our land, but the foundation of all rests on the principle that we cannot grow without peace and order.”

Note: Message as shared by Governor Migs Dominguez

Japan educational assistance for Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 26, 2010) – Teacher Ellin Vicera, Information Technology coordinator of Colon National High School in Maasim, receives a certificate of award from Governor Migs Dominguez Monday, July 26, with P333,000 educational assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for Sarangani through the Department of Trade and Industry in celebration of the USWAG (United, Strong, Wealthy And Globally Competitive) Sarangani. Six schools in the province received the same assistance. (Richie Tongo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Math Clinic

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 26, 2010) – A check worth P100,000 for the construction of a Math clinic of Lun Padidu National High School is given by Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (2nd from left) and former Board Member Norberto Butiong to the representatives of the school administration and barangay council Sunday, July 25. Also in photo are (left to right) barangay captain Elmer Diodina, former barangay captain and Governor’s representative Latip Morsal, Board Member Abdulracman Pangolima, Math Adviser Melanie Canillo, school principal Norma Rendon and barangay councilor Wilson Panayaman. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Community covered court assistance

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 26, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (2nd from right) leads the turn-over of check from the Provincial Government of Sarangani worth P30,000 in support to the completion of a community covered court at barangay Lun Padidu. Also in photo are (left to right) former barangay captain and Governor’s representative Latip Morsal, Board Member Abdulracman Pangolima, barangay captain Elmer Diodina, Lun Padidu National High School principal Norma Rendon and Malapatan District Supervisor Ricardo Unda. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

61st Founding Anniversary

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 26, 2010) РVice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon calls on residents of barangay Lun Padidu to be united for the development of the province regardless of political parties during 61st Foundation Anniversary of the barangay and turn-over of checks for the completion of community covered court and construction of a Math clinic Sunday, July 25. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Qui̱o)

Friday, July 23, 2010

Community products

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 23, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon talks with Karl Vincent Queipo, executive director of RD Foundation, before the unveiling of community products display shelf at Fitmart Mall, RD Building Thursday, July 22. This community products display shelf is a joint project of RD Foundation, RDEX Food International Philippines Inc., Gensan Shipyard and Machine Works, Province of Sarangani, Department of Trade and Industry and SPECTRUM that displays products from different municipalities of Sarangani. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Courtesy call

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 23, 2010) - Vice Mayor Utto Salem Cutan (left) welcomes Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon to the Sangguniang Bayan Of Maasim Thursday, July 22. In his visit, Vice Governor Solon said working hand in hand would hasten the development of Sarangani. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Quick Response Team

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 23, 2010) – Members of the Quick Response Team (standing) pose with provincial disaster coordinating council action officer Meloy Latoja (4th from left) with Board Member Elmer de Peralta and Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (middle) before send off to Albay late last night (July 22) to join the 1st national search and rescue (SAR) competition next week and to learn more about SAR. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Send off ceremony

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 23, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon joins the Sarangani Quick Response Team (QRT) in a boodle fight during the send off ceremony Thursday, July 23. The Sarangani QRT, an 18-member team of rescuers, traveled by land late last night to Albay to join the 1st national search and rescue competition. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

With high morale

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 23, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gives an inspirational message to a team of rescuers who will join the 1st national search and rescue competition in Albay next week. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Seaweeds processing

Alabel, Sarangani (July 22, 2010) – Ms. Charmaine Buitre (left), aqua officer of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, trains participants from Kawas Urban Poor Small Fisherman Association Inc. and Ladol Seaweeds Growers of Alabel in making food products from seaweeds like crackers, chips, yema, pickles, puree and noodles at the Provincial Capitol Wednesday, July 21, in partnership with the provincial government of Sarangani through the Vice Governor’s Office and the Office of Municipal Agriculturist. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Seaweed processing participants

Alabel, Sarangani (July 22, 2010) – Representatives from Kawas Urban Poor Small Fisherman Association Inc. and Ladol Seaweeds Growers of Alabel join the seaweed processing seminar at the Provincial Capitol Wednesday, July 21. This activity is conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in partnership with the provincial government through the Vice Governor’s Office and the Office of Municipal Agriculturist. This training aims to teach small entrepreneurs skills in making food products like crackers, chips, yema, pickles, puree and noodles with seaweeds ingredients. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Mayor swears to protect environment against illegal miners

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 23, 2010) – Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett yesterday warned illegal miners she would do all means under the law to protect the town’s environmental welfare.

Perrett personally filed a criminal case Wednesday (July 21) at the provincial prosecutor’s office against 20 men reportedly doing illegal mining in the mountain of Maitum at sitio Kaffugan for violation of Section 68 of PD 705 as amended by EO 277 for Cutting, Gathering, Collecting, Removing, Possessing timber and other forest products.

The mayor said she filed a “criminal action” against the suspects “for lack of registration as small-scale miners under Section 8, RA 7076”, or the People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991.

“Don’t ever come back to do any illegal mining in Maitum especially that one in New La Union, or else you will go to jail,” Perrett said.

The reported mining area in Kaffugan is an ancestral domain of the Tboli tribe in barangay New La Union.

Barangay New La Union is the site of the town’s famous white water tubing, the only eco-tourism adventure destination among locals and foreign tourists.

Barangay captain Digs Movilla disclosed that the mining site is the headwater of Pangi river which is the source of the white water tubing adventure.

In the morning of July 20, the municipal police and members of the 73rd infantry battalion of the Philippine Army trekked and conducted an ocular inspection in the area.

In his sworn statement, police officer Nonette Apolinar testified he saw felled trees and hundreds of sacks of mineral ore piled outside the tunnels. The team apprehended the 20 men hiding at the bunkers.

Watchman Cesar Tayan of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Office who joined the team saw the destruction and clearing of the forest area with 11 tunnels and more than 400 sacks containing mineral ores. He also saw the suspects at the mining site with their tools and implements.

Mayor Perrett said two weeks ago a police blotter was made for same group of men in the area.

“They were released, but they came back,” Perrett said.

Arrested were Eddie Penona, 36, from Bukidnon; Joseph Leo, 23, from Butuan City; Argie Toribillas, 21, from Panabo City; Darin Loseno, 21, from Maramag, Bukidnon;

Nelson Lacre, 18; Jeffrey Magno, 22; Ramil Legara, 18; Lito Malbasias, 29, all from Compostela Valley;

Martin Barosa, 54; John Dayan, 26; Diosdado Almoite, 48; Junior Bulahan, 29; Bobby Navales, 34; Victor Mauricio, 30; Allan Baliwan, 33; Jose Garuna, 38; Jun Cortez, 28, all of barangay Suli, Kiamba; and Arnold Diwan, 26, and Jun Codenera, 30, of Poblacion Kiamba, and Gerald Juares, 21, of barangay Kalaong, Maitum. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Troop nab illegal miners in Maitum

By Serafin N. Ramos Jr.

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 21, 2010) – Joint Philippine Army and police operatives arrested on Tuesday (July 20) 20 suspects allegedly engaged in illegal mining activities in an ancestral domain and protected area near the famous whitewater river-tubing resort in barangay New La Union.

Cesar Tayan Sr., a watchman of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, said he joined the police Regional Mobile Group and the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion in going to sitio Kaffugan, New La Union “to verify reports that there were around 37 men mining the area for gold.”

“We arrived at the mining site at around 8:32 AM where I saw shelters and bunkers, destruction and clearing of forest area, 11 tunnels, and 414 sacks containing mineral ores,” Tayan disclosed. “I also took pictures of the 20 men who were apprehended in the mining site and their tools and implements.”

Arrested were Eddie Penona, 36, from Bukidnon; Joseph Leo, 23, from Butuan City; Argie Toribillas, 21, from Panabo City; Darin Loseno, 21, from Maramag, Bukidnon;

Nelson Lacre, 18; Jeffrey Magno, 22; Ramil Legara, 18; Lito Malbasias, 29, all from Compostela Valley;

Martin Barosa, 54; John Dayan, 26; Diosdado Almoite, 48; Junior Bulahan, 29; Bobby Navales, 34; Victor Mauricio, 30; Allan Baliwan, 33; Jose Garuna, 38; Jun Cortez, 28, all of barangay Suli, Kiamba; and Arnold Diwan, 26, and Jun Codenera, 30, of Poblacion Kiamba, and Gerald Juares, 21, of barangay Kalaong, Maitum.

According to Police Inspector Celso Supli Suelo, police and army troops recovered from the suspects six pieces of hammer (maso), two axes, three iron bars (bareta), five shovels, one chainsaw, two chainsaw guide bars, and five kilos of rocks while the rest, around 400 sacks, were left in the mining site.

Mayor Elsie Perrett, a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holder of Manobo-Tboli Ancestral Domain, has a certification from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office that the apprehended persons were not registered miners.

The mayor said she was filing a “criminal action” against the suspects “for lack of registration as small-scale miners under Section 8, RA 7076”, or the People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991.

Another charge against the suspects was for Cutting, Gathering, Collecting, Removing, Possessing timber and other forest products (Section 68 of PD 705 as amended by EO 277), Mayor Perrett said.

“(There is) a certification from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office showing that they have not issued any small-scale mining contract to any person to conduct small-scale mining in New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province,” Perrett said.

In addition, there is a certification from the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples showing that it has not issued any Free Prior and Informed Consent or any permit to enter or mine any portion of the ancestral domain located in sitio Kaffugan, New La Union, the mayor said.

Perrett was also set to file a criminal action for Unauthorized and Unlawful Intrusion and Use of the Manobo-T’boli Ancestral Domain (Section 10 of RA 8371) against the detained persons.

In an affidavit, PO2 Pedro A. Malupeng Jr. said his team conducted an ocular inspection on the alleged mining activity in sitio Kaffugan on July 20.

Malupeng said they checked “where the sound of a chainsaw was coming from” and “saw a man cutting a felled tree.”

“The man told me that his name is Jojo and he is a resident of Sitio Banate. Thereafter, I brought him to a clearing near the bunkers and confiscated his chainsaw,” Malupeng said. (Serafin N. Ramos Jr./SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Arrested miners

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 21, 2010) – Some of the arrested miners at the compound of Maitum Police Station. (Cesar Tayan/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Forest destruction

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 21, 2010) – Illegal mining suspects cleared a forest in sitio Kaffugan to build their camp site near tunnels. (Cesar tayan/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Logging

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 21, 2010) – A man cuts up a felled tree Tuesday, July 20, as joint forces of the police and Philippine Army arrest suspects engaged in illegal mining activities in sitio Kaffugan, New La Union, near the famous whitewater tubing resort. (Cesar Tayan/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Miner's campsite

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 21, 2010) – Miners cleared part of the forest in sitio Kaffugan for their campsite. (Cesar Tayan/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mining

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 21, 2010) – A man comes out of a tunnel Tuesday, July 20, as joint forces of the police and Philippine Army arrest suspects engaged in illegal mining activities in sitio Kaffugan, New La Union, near the famous whitewater tubing resort. (Cesar Tayan/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tunnel

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 21, 2010) - One of the 14 tunnels in sitio Kaffugan, barangay New La Union. (Cesar Tayan/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Saturday, July 17, 2010

International Monitoring Team

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez greets a member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) from Malaysia at the celebration of the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion’s 22nd founding anniversary Friday, July 16, as IMT head Col. Shamsirudin Mohd Shariff looks on. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Trooping the line

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez joins Lt.Col. Edgardo de Leon, battalion commander of the 73rd Infantry(Neutralizer) Battalion, in trooping the line at the opening ceremony of the battalion’s 22nd founding anniversary celebration Friday, July16. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Taskforce MAKIMA Head

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon receives a plaque of appreciation from 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Carlos Holganza and Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon,battalion commander of the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion, as head of the taskforce MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum) during the celebration of the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion’s 22nd founding anniversary Friday, July 16. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Kalinaw Sarangani

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda, program manager of the Kalinaw Program, receives a plaque of appreciation from 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Carlos Holganza and Lt.Col. Edgardo de Leon, battalion commander of the 73rd Infantry(Neutralizer) Battalion, as a partner in socio-economic development during the celebration of the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion’s 22nd founding anniversary Friday, July 16. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Memento

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon,battalion commander of the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion,presents K’filan, a sacred sword and a symbol of power for the Tboli tribe, as a memento for guest of honor and speaker Major General Carlos Holganza of the 10th Infantry Division as the battalion celebrates its 22nd founding anniversary Friday, July 16. (CocoySexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

IMT with the 73rd IB

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon,battalion commander of the 73rd Infantry (Neutralizer) Battalion,leads Col. Shamsirudin Mohd Shariff, head of the InternationalMonitoring Team, and 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Carlos Holganza (middle) to the venue of the program for the battalion’s 22nd founding anniversary Friday, July 16. (CocoySexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ABS-CBN SOCSKSARGEN

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – TV reporter Chat Anzagay and anchorman Jay Dayupay of ABS-CBN receive a plaque of appreciation from 10th Infantry Division commander Major General Carlos Holganza and Lt.Col. Edgardo de Leon, battalion commander of the 73rd Infantry(Neutralizer) Battalion, as a partner in public affairs during the celebration of the battalion’s 22nd founding anniversary Friday, July16. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Soldiers in Sarangani trained to fight and to care

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 17, 2010) – At the 22nd Founding Anniversary celebration of Philippine Army’s 73rd “Neutralizer” Infantry Battalion Friday (July 16), peace partners and local officials disclosed deep appreciation of the soldiers’ effort to relive peace in thecommunities.

“This is the first time I attended a celebration where there’s so muchpride,” Governor Migs Dominguez said.

“You have successfully embodied what we want in each and everysoldier, by coming with solutions to conflicts in our communitieswhich clearly shows that we care. This is the kind of patriotism thatwill carry our country to excellence,” the governor added.

The battalion under commanding officer Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon openedthe celebration with a pass-in-review in the morning to honor guests.“I am always proud of this unit being exemplars of discipline andpatriotism,” guest of honor and speaker Major General Carlos Holganza said.

According to Holganza, the 73rd IB is the only battalion facing two fronts - the New Peoples’ Army and the secessionists fronts - under their area of operational responsibility “but were able to maintaintheir position with flexibility and balance”.

“We are changing the image of the soldier. We are having a paradigmshift and expanding our role as soldiers. In our context, soldiers areto be respected and not to be feared,” Holganza said.“We are trained to fight and trained to care. It is always importantto think about other people.”

According to Holganza, the way to peace is to work together, to workhard, the need to educate the youth, and to believe in God.Maitum town passed a municipal resolution in January “in gratefulappreciation to the peace building effort” given by the battalion to their community especially when Moro rebel atrocities broke out intown and its neighboring Kiamba and Maasim municipalities in 2008.

Thousands of families began to return to their homes after the 73rd IB arrived who immediately conducted clearing operations in the mountainswhere the suspects fled.“We started our partnership in 2008,” Dr. Roel Cagape of the Hearts and Brains Foundation said.“They are good models to the children. These uniformed men enjoy dancing with them in our medical missions. I actually heard one of the children in one of our medical missions that he wanted to be a soldier.”

Members of the battalion received the Bronze Cross medal. Troops from the Neutralizer were assigned to Maguindanao who went after the criminals responsible for the Maguindanao massacre killing 57 civilians and media men in November last year.

Other awards were also given to peace partners such as KalinawSarangani Unit, Kapayapaan Kapatid Council, Hearts and Brains Foundation, ABS-CBN SOCSKSARGEN, and Conal Holdings Corporation.(Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Education for Sarangani highlanders

By Russtum G. Pelima ,MA Ed

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) – For tribal chieftain Pepito Lanon, having a nearby school where he could send his kids everyday is a blessing after long years of waiting.

Yet, the school built by Conal Holdings Corporation in their nearby village, Langaran, from their own, Tahakayo, is still five kilometers away along tapered roads of Amsipit hills.

Yesterday (July 14), the Department of Education in Sarangani headed by Schools Division Superintendent Deborah Adrales, Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST), Conal Holdings, with Mahintana Foundation and Alcantara Foundation, opened two primary schools in Langaran and Lebe of barangay Amsipit.

Langaran is a Blaan village 18 kilometers away from the main road to Maasim. The school site, donated by Eyog Malo, is 3,000 feet above sea level and second to Maasim’s highest plateau, Datal Basak. Lebe is eight kilometers lower than Langaran.

Adrales told parents the importance of education especially for the future of their children. She said the Department of Education has been fielding more number of teachers for the remote barangays to complement the province’s campaign for education.

In partnership with QUEST, 250 more teachers under the Provincial School Board were sent to farthest schools by the DepEd.

QUEST is an education program of Sarangani under the Governor’s Office.

In his inaugural speech last month, Governor Migs Dominguez reiterated education as his priority program of governance.

“No child will be left behind,” Governor Dominguez said.

“We started planning to build a school here in October last year after seeing a number of children,” Fely Constantino, Conal Holdings’ community development officer, said.

Conal funded the P720,000 two-classroom building here and helped the community to open a primary school in Lebe by rehabilitating an old building of the Upland Development Program.

Langaran has 124 Grade I pupils now with two sections and 60 pupils in Grade I in Lebe. Village children from Lamsaging can now walk three kilometers to Langaran Primary School instead of ten kilometers to Kyumad Elementary School.

Langaran and Lebe primary schools are among the ten schools assisted and built by Conal Holdings in the highlands of Maasim as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“Not all of these communities are covered by our agro-forestry project as carbon sink areas for our 200-megawatt power producing plant in Kamanga,” Ed Cejar, project assurance head, said. “We are just happy that we extend some help for the community.”

Conal provides school supplies, technical and vocational trainings, medical and dental missions to schools, scholarship grants, and classroom buildings for its educational program.

As part of its program for health and sanitation, the company donated a P1.2-M water system to barangay Tinoto which the community longed for 70 years.

For the three QUEST volunteer teachers, teaching the village kids in Langaran and Lebe is a vocation. When others were hired at the schools in the lowland, theirs is a call.

Conal officials said a staff house will be built aside from the school building at the school ground for the teachers. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

"Kabalikat sa Edukasyon program"

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 14, 2010) - Children of sito Lebe and other neighboring hinterland sitios in barangay Amsipit receive school supplies and raincoats from Conal Holdings Corporation's "Kabalikat sa Edukasyon program" during the opening of the sitio's primary school Wednesday, July 14. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

1st flag ceremony

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) - Marnalyn Amora, one of the teachers in the newly-installed Sitio Langaran Primary School, leads the singing of the National Anthem during its 1st flag raising ceremony Wednesday, July 14, to formally open the school. The creation of the school in the hinterland village was made possible by the joint efforts of the provincial government of Sarangani through QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today), Mahintana Foundation, Alcantara Foundation, Department of Education and Conal Holdings Corporation by allocating P800,000 for the construction of the school building. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

DepEd Superintendent

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) - Deborah Adrales, Sarangani schools division superintendent, distributes school supplies and raincoats from Conal Holdings Corporation to pupils of newly-installed sitio Lebe Primary School Wednesday, July 14. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Deputy Governor

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) - Jojo Lopez, deputy governor for MAKIMA (Maitum-Kiamba-Maasim) area, delivers a message during the opening of sitio Langaran Primary School Wednesday, July 14. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Land donor

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) - Eyog Malo, holds his certificate of recognition from Department of Education for donating one hectare of land for the school site as he listens during the opening program of sitio Langaran Primary School. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

New teachers

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) - Edmund Gualm (3rd, right), Department of Education’s Maasim district representative, introduces to pupils and parents their first teachers - Marnalyn Amora (2nd, right) and Alfredo Jutar (extreme right). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

School supplies from Conal Holdings

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) – Ed Cejar of Conal Holdings Corporation leads the distribution of school supplies during the opening of Langaran Primary School Wednesday, July 14. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Thanksgiving song

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 15, 2010) - Children of sitio Langaran, a remote village, render a thanksgiving song to donors and sponsors of their newly opened school. Mahitana Foundation will provide the armchairs; Eyog Malo, a native of the place donated the land for school site; the provincial government of Sarangani for providing the provincial government-paid teachers through QUEST program and Conal Holdings Corporation for the construction of school building and the teachers dormitory. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Sarangani gets P54-M health investment

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 13, 2010) – Sarangani receives P54,225,000 worth of health facilities from the Department of Health (DOH) through its Center for Health Development (CHD)-SOCSKSARGEN, officials said on Tuesday (July 13).

The assistance from the DOH is in response to the province’s health program to “provide quality health services for the Sarangans”.

Of this fund, P52,740,000 will go to infrastructural development while P1,485,000 is intended for hospital equipment.

“This is for the improvement of our municipal hospitals, health centers, barangay health stations and hospital equipment,” Governor Migs Dominguez said.

A total of P15,028,000 is intended for hospital infrastructure improvement of Maitum (P3.372-M) and for Malungon (P11,656-M), according to a briefer from DOH-CHD- SOCSKSARGEN,

Maitum is Sarangani’s farthest municipality to the West while Malungon is the province’s Northern and only land-locked municipality.

In 2007, Maitum won the national Galing Pook award for its maternity home that offers services to adjacent municipalities of Kiamba, Maasim, and Palimbang of Sultan Kudarat province.

Sarangani’s seven municipalities, with each of their rural health units, have a total fund of P17,082,000 for the improvement of the health centers.

Also, 16 of the province’s barangay health stations will receive a total of P20,630,000 for infrastructural development.

“These are among our remotest barangays where the communities need most immediate health care,” according to Governor Dominguez.

Among these are the barangay health stations of Pinol, Mabay, Kalaong, Upo and Mindupok in Maitum town, Maligang and Lagundi in Kiamba, Lumasal and Kamanga in Maasim, Alegria in Alabel, Lun Padidu and Kinam in Malapatan, Small Margus in Glan, and Malandag, Kiblat and Upper Mainit in Malungon.

Maitum and Malungon municipal hospitals have P1,485,000 intended for new hospital equipment. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFROMATION OFFICE)

Monday, July 12, 2010

Maitum inaugural session

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 12, 2010) - Mayor Elsie Perrett speaks before the Sangguniang Bayan where she sought support for her flagship programs on environment, social services, tourism and revenue generation. "With me alone, I cannot do it. I need your legislative support and purest intentions of helping my administration reach the goals that all of us earnestly hope for the people of Maitum," the mayor said. At right is Vice Mayor Tito Balazon. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Maitum local officials

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 12, 2010) - Mayor Elsie Perrett and Vice Mayor Tito Balazon pose with the members of the 16th Sangguniang Bayan of Maitum. From left are councilors Ruperto Bunzo, ABC president Ismael Dimaudtang, Kubli Kusin, Jess Bascuna, Josefina Marasigan, Rey Mayled, Genaro Thomas Strong, SK president Micheal Elechicon, Edgardo del Rosario and Ruben Balanag. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bombo Medico

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 12, 2010) – A Bombo Radyo staff distributes medicines to patients during the dental-medical mission of Bombo Radyo dubbed as "Bombo Medico" Sunday, July 11, at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University campus. This event is in cooperation with Governor Migs Dominguez and the provincial government of Sarangani. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Friday, July 9, 2010

"Follow the culture of excellence" - Gov. Migs

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 8, 2010) – Reminding the people of one of the centerpieces of his administration, Governor Migs Dominguez urged parents Thursday (July 8) to usher their children towards quality education by spending at least an hour a day studying with them at home.

“Follow the culture of excellence to make sure that our children will have a brighter future in order to become successful members of our community,” Governor Dominguez said.

He added the province’s national achievement test for elementary school has greatly improved from 41% in 2006 to 69% last year.

Governor Dominguez led provincial officials in the turn over of checks with a total of P400,000 to four adjacent barangays Katubao, Tambilil, Datu Dani and Lagundi for community development.

“We owe this to the Kalinaw (peace) Program under the office of the governor,” Lagundi barangay captain Jose Huliganga said. The barangay received P100,000 for the extension of the barangay health center and birthing home.

Among the town’s barangays, Lagundi has the first and only lying-in center which can also be accessed by the nearby barangays.

Tambilil received P80,000 for the improvement of its barangay health center, P120,000 for Datu Dani’s Kadal water system expansion, and P100,000 for Katubao’s day care center comfort room, provision of chairs and deep well.

“We welcome private investors to join us in bringing development to our communities,” Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said. “It is through counter-parting that we become successful.”

Governor Dominguez also emphasized the use of material recovery facility to protect and conserve the environment. The four barangays are among the coastal barangays of Kiamba where families are dependent of fishing at the Celebes Sea.

“We promise to take care of these projects which are truly helpful to us especially our children,” barangay councilor Delia Valencia said.

The four barangays are among the 50 peace and development communities identified by the Kalinaw Program.

The Kalinaw Program, now under the direct supervision of provincial peace program officer and deputy governor for MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum), former Mayor Aniceto Lopez, Jr., won the Galing Pook award last year for innovative governance on peace and development. According to Hanafi Ebrahim, Kalinaw coordinators have been requested by municipalities in the region and in Maguindanao to lead the replication of the program in their own locality. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Institutionalizing the culture of peace

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 8, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez reminds communities “to follow the culture of excellence through education” at the turn over of checks for barangay development to Tambilil, Katubao, Datu Dani and Lagundi Thursday, July 8. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Kids

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 8, 2010) – Kids listen at the turn over ceremony of checks for four adjacent barangays of Tambilil, Katubao, Datu Dani and Lagundi Thursday, July 8 for barangay development such as water system, improvement of day care center, health center and lying-in. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 8, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon discusses with Board Member Cornelio Martinez the program on the turn over of checks for barangays Tambilil, Katubao, Datu Dani and Lagundi Thursday, July 8, and how to enhance the provincial legislature in allocating fund for barangay development. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Check for barangay development

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 8, 2010) – Deputy governor Aniceto Lopez, Jr. ,with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Cornelio Martinez, hands over to barangay councilor Delia Valencia the P80,000 check from the provincial government for the improvement of the health center of Tambilil. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Barangay lying-in center

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 8, 2010) – Community beneficiaries thank Governor Migs Dominguez for providing a P100,000 provincial fund for the first barangay birthing home in town at the turn over ceremony of checks for Lagundi and three nearby barangays Thursday, July 8. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)