Sarangani Province Updates

Springhill Village

2011-02-07T11:22:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 7, 2011) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon consults beneficiaries with provincial social welfare and development officer Hermelo Latoja at the turnover ceremony of Springhill Village’s 107 housing units in barangay Spring Friday, February 4. Springhill Village is a joint shelter assistance project of the provincial and municipal government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development- XII. (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Inmates thank Gov. Migs

2011-02-05T23:18:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 5, 2011) – Inmate Mike Alfonso speaks in behalf of his inmates thanking Governor Migs and the provincial government particularly on the justice On Wheels project which provided speedy justice to overstaying inmates and better and healthier environment inside the jail. A community outreach was conducted by office heads and provincial employees at the provincial jail in celebration of Governor Migs Dominguez 34th birthday Saturday, February 5. (Ritchie Tongo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs's 34th birthday

2011-02-05T23:17:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 5, 2011) – Executive Assistant Hanafi Ibrahim delivers Governor Migs’ thanksgiving and inspirational message to inmates as office heads led provincial employees to a community outreach at the provincial jail in celebration of Governor Migs Dominguez’ 34th birthday Saturday, February 5. (Ritchie Tongo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gift to inmates

2011-02-05T23:16:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 5, 2011) – Inmate Mike Alfonso receives from Sarangani Provincial Employees Union (SPEU) president Bobby Saya-ang sports equipment and slippers from the union as office heads led provincial employees to a community outreach at the provincial jail in celebration of Governor Migs Dominguez’ 34th birthday Saturday, February 5. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Blaan School

2011-02-04T21:57:00.003-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Pupils get ready to welcome visitors at the school entrance with a bamboo-made man bridge. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lamlifew pupils

2011-02-04T21:55:00.001-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – In their traditional dress, pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School sing the national anthem in an open stage landscaped with white stones from the Bluan river in front of the school. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lawin dance

2011-02-04T21:54:00.000-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Pupils of the Lamlifew Elementary School perform the ral kafi (lawin dance) to entertain their visitors. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Assistance to MTB-MLE

2011-02-04T21:52:00.001-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Board member Eleanor Saguiguit urges the community to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of the indigenous Blaan particularly in Lamlifew and swears to seek more assistance for them. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mother tongue-based multi-lingual education

2011-02-04T21:50:00.001-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Department of Education division language coordinator of Sarangani Elizabeth Torres expounds the nature and importance of mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) in the learning processes of children. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot MTB-MLE of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

My Sarangani hymn

2011-02-04T21:49:00.000-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School sing an original composition of Blaan elder Herminia Lakna called E E Sarangani, (My Sarangani) in the Blaan dialect. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Welcome dance

2011-02-04T21:47:00.001-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Ye or Blaan mothers perform a welcome dance as visitors and guests arrive at the village. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Blaan school pilots mother tongue-based education

2011-02-04T21:41:00.001-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4).

Lamlifew is a Blaan village at the town’s outskirts. Blaan is the name of the people and the language of the largest indigenous group in Sarangani that finally sought indigenized curriculum from the Department of Education.

“Basically, MTB-MLE is integrating the indigenous culture in the regular education curriculum using the first language (Blaan),” DepEd- Sarangani division language coordinator Elizabeth Torres said.

As an example, Torres said teachers can teach the English alphabet in Blaan accent and intonation and then do it in English as an international language.

“MTB-MLE also includes teaching traditional practices that have cultural significance to them.”
Part of the indigenized curriculum through MTB-MLE is the integration of Blaan’s Tabih (traditional clothing), dances and songs to the pupils.

“Sarangani has three variations of the Blaan language from the three municipalities of Glan, Malapatan and Malungon. We will also come up with a phrase book and try to investigate their differences,” Torres added.

Lamlifew has a women’s association aimed at the preservation and development of their cultural heritage and traditional handicrafts.

Lamlifew as a complete elementary started in 1997 with teachers come and go because of their inadequacy in number and their willingness to be assigned to far-flung areas.

The school was built in 1982, then a primary school, through the effort of tribal leader Kalingo Maluma who brought the proposal to Malacanang by himself. Loida Esperanza became the first school head of the school in 1997.

Malungon West District supervisor Nora Nerpiol said the education department has been supporting the school since then through physical and academic means. Lamlifew has the most number of professionals in Barangay Datal Tampal.

Board member Eleanor Saguiguit said the Growth with Equity in Mindanao- (GEM) is on its way for the construction of a footbridge along Bluan river in front of the school where 98 percent of the pupils are crossing everyday to get to school.

“We will also look for partners for the community to fund their traditional craftsmanship like basket-making and beads making,” Saguiguit said.

Saguiguit recalled the village, roughly 1,600 hectares of pasture land, was given to her as a dowry by her uncle-in- law when she got married in 1977. She afforded to refuse ownership of the land after seeing the presence of the community there, she said.

In 2007, the province’s Indigenous People’s Development Program (IPDP) helped Lamlifew build a living museum and identified Lamlifew Elementary School as a School of Living Tradition (SLT).

Rosie Alcantara Dominguez, mother of Governor Migs Dominguez, sponsored the technology transfer of silk weaving by Malaysian expert weavers to the Lamlifew Women’s Association.

In 2009, Beth Ditan, a master in the art of beads making from the community, taught Grades V and VI pupils the traditional craftsmanship. Japanese anthropologist Taku Kawamuta later funded the materials for beads making and traditional clothing after seeing the children in the internet.

With the MTB-MLE, the school will have a once-a- week IP day with community elders to teach the children songs, dances and handicrafts. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani joins International Year of Forests

2011-02-02T21:07:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, sarangani (February 2, 2011) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) launches the international year of forests and its local campaign for environmental conservation and protection with Conal Holdings Corporation Wednesday (February 2).

PENRO’s Forest and Management Section (FMS) joined Conal’s agro-forestry project of 7,500 hectares in the hinterlands of Maasim instead of its tree-planting activity in Alabel seeing its more direct effect and bigger impact in the environment with its national re-greening program.

“These grasslands are generally acidic so we have to plant trees to protect our mountains and the highland communities like what you have here,” forester and FMS Chief Jesus Boja said.

“This year is the international year of forests so I hope we will all cooperate and do our part to protect our remaining forests by planting trees. This is an agro-forestry project by the DENR and Conal so with this, I thank the Conal Holdings (Corporation) for their concern to environment,” he added.

“There are 14,000 hectares of watershed area in Maasim that needs to be rehabilitated,” Conal project assurance manager Rommel Tomas Falgui said.

“7,220 hectares will be Conal’s reforestation project and 280 hectares we intended for the riverbank rehabilitation.”

The day was the turn-over ceremony of the two-classroom building to the Department of Education as “A Gift of donation from Conal to the Children of Langaran”.

In October last year, Conal started constructing a primary school in Langaran and another one in Lebe in partnership with the local government, after finding significant statistics of children not attending school.

“We are very happy that Conal and the Alcantara help us to have a school here in Langaran,” Kablacan barangay captain Allan Ambrad said. Neighboring Sitio Kyumad in barangay Amsipit has a complete elementary school but ten kilometers away from the community.

Langaran is a community of the indigenous Blaan and Tboli. The school site was donated by Eyoy Malo, a native of the place. Very remote to the town site at 22 kilometers from the main road, it is seldom reached by transportation and upland products are brought to the market by horse.

Langaran is 870 meters above sea level and the climate is still cold at high noon. The primary school has 117 Grade I pupils.

“I want to be an engineer someday and work in the city to help my parents,” 16-year old Grade I pupil Sadam Ontong said. Sadam’s parents plow a small farm planted with cassava and corn.
Three other 15 years old are among the 117 pupils attending Grade I in Langaran Primary School.

“Without the Conal, we don’t have a school here,” mayor Jose Zamorro said. Assistant Schools Division superintendent Isagani Cruz said DepEd- Sarangani will build an additional school building here next year.

Conrado Ladislawa and Alcantara Foundation, Incorporated, donated school uniform for the pupils last Christmas. Mahintana Foundation will donate chairs for the classrooms.
Langaran has 12 surrounding communities benefiting the Conal school. The school site is overlooking a portion of the Seguil riverbank rehabilitation area.

During the day, Conal and local officials led pupils to the ceremonial planting of 50 mahogany seedlings from Mahintana Foundation at the forest gutters near the school site.

Falgui said Conal will sponsor parent mentoring sessions in partnership with the province’s Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) to maximize community participation for the education of their children. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Conal school turn-over

2011-02-02T21:06:00.000-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 2, 2011) – Conal Holdings Corporation project assurance manager Rommel Tomas Falgui speaks before the villagers and pupils of Langaran Primary School as visitors looked on in a ceremonial turn-over of the two-classroom building donated by the company to Department of Education, Wednesday February 2. Conal allocated P1 million for the construction of the school building as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities. Sitio Langaran, a Blaan community in barangay Kablacan, is a 22-kilometer uphill stretch from the town proper. (Cocoy Sexcion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Cutting of ribbon

2011-02-02T21:05:00.000-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 2, 2011) – Mayor Jose Zamorro (left) leads the cutting of ribbon with Conal Holdings Corporation project assurance manager Rommel Tomas Falgui (right) and Department of Education (DepEd) – Sarangani ssistant schools division superintendent Isagani Cruz (center, partly hidden), looking on, during the ceremonial turn-over of the two-classroom building donated by the company to DepEd, Wednesday February 2. Conal allocated P1 million for the construction of the school building as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities. The building which is a 10 by 40 meter-concrete edifice occupying 144 square meters of land area is now home to 117 grade one pupils in the village. The school also benefits children from outlying communities of Sitio Bog, Datal Pupo, Datal Basak, Purok Matbal among others. Sitio Langaran, a Blaan community of 60 households located in barangay Kablacan, is a 22-kilometer uphill stretch from the town proper. (Cocoy Sexcion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

DENR information and education campain

2011-02-02T21:04:00.000-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 2, 2011) – Forest Management Section chief and forester Jesus Boja of Sarangani Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) gestures a point, underlining the importance of rehabilitating and protecting the forest and watershed life in an education and information campaign in Sitio Langaran, kicking off the province’s International Year of Forests celebration Wednesday, February 2. PENRO partners with Conal Holdings Corporation’s agro-forestry and Siguel riverbank rehabilitation project in Maasim. (Cocoy Sexcion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Flag-raising ceremony

2011-02-02T21:02:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 2, 2011) – Villagers and pupils of Langaran Primary School display nationalism during the flag ceremony Wednesday, February 2, where Conal Holdings Corporation have turned-over a two-classrom school building to Department of Education as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities. The building which is a 10 by 40 meter-concrete edifice occupying 144 square meters of land area is now home to 117 grade one pupils in the village. The school also benefits children from outlying communities of Sitio Bog, Datal Pupo, Datal Basak, Purok Matbal among others. Sitio Langaran, a Blaan community of 60 households located in barangay Kablacan, is a 22-kilometer uphill stretch from the town proper. Due to the inaccessibility of the village, the tribe and their children for years were deprived of education. (Cocoy Sexcion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

For my future

2011-02-02T21:01:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 2, 2011) – A pupil from Langaran Primary School prepares to transplant a budding Mahogany tree marking the provincial-wide celebration of the International Year of Forests Wednesday, February 2. (Cocoy Sexcion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tree-planting for the launching of International Year of Forests

2011-02-02T20:37:00.004-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 2, 2011) – Conal Holdings Corporation project assurance manager Rommel Tomas Falgui joins municipal mayor Jose Zamorro in a massive tree-planting activity in Sitio Langaran, as DENR and local government launch the International Year of Forests, Wednesday February 2. Conal Holdings Corporation, proponent of the 200 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Maasim is also developing a 7,500 hectares agro-forestry project. (Cocoy Sexcion/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor Migs and Tisha's wedding photos and video

2011-01-31T15:54:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Dominguez!

Click title to visit the link.

Distribution of ECCD horses

2011-01-31T15:41:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 31, 2011) - Raquel Panal, PSWDO-ECCD (Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office-Early Childhood Careand Development) in-charge (3rd left), distributes five of the 10 horses provided by UNICEF to SNP (Supervised Neighborhood Play)workers Monday, January 31, at Sitio Cebuano in Alabel. The horses will be used by workers for their daily means of transportation in going to their respective Early Childhood learning centers or home base sites where hiking is the only means of mobilization. Sarangani has atotal of 110 SNP sites and serving 4,659 indigenous children with ages 3-6 years old mostly located in the hinterlands of the province.(Cocoy Sexcion, SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ECCD horse test ride

2011-01-31T15:39:00.000-05:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 31, 2011) - Worker Fely Grace Maguan,22, test rides a horse provided by UNICEF Monday, January 31, as partof its Early Childhood Care program which will be used for her dailyride in going to Malacutay SNP (Supervised Neighborhood Play) located in the outskirt barangay of Malapatan that caters 50 indigenous children. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Reading of the Memorandum of Agreement

2011-01-31T15:37:00.002-05:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 31, 2011) - Raquel Panal, PSWDO-ECCD (Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office-Early Childhood Careand Development) in-charge, reads the memorandum of agreement to SNP workers before the ECCD horses were distributed to their caretakers.One of the conditions stipulated in the MOA states that SNP worker is entitled to own the first offspring of the livestock as the primary caretaker of the same with the condition that an SNP worker can own or take away the first offspring as the owner only upon the delivery or birth of the next offspring subject to proper coordination and documentation of the barangay captain and concerned Municipal Social Welfare and Development office personnel. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Dancers

2011-01-29T23:02:00.000-05:00

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) – The Edenton Mission College contingent performs and won 2nd Place during the 4th Bangsi Festival street dancing competition Friday, January 28. Their cash prize is P 25,000. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish). (Abner P. Arzaga/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Photographers

2011-01-29T23:00:00.002-05:00

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) – Participants of the 7th Maitum Safari Photo Contest pose with organizer and municipal accountant Beth Ramos Palma Gil (6th from left) during the culmination of the 4th Bangsi Festival celebration Friday, January 28. (Abner P. Arzaga/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sugba-sugba sa kadalanan

2011-01-29T22:59:00.001-05:00

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) - Barangay Captain Linda Narte of Barangay Kalaong joins her constituents in grilling flying fish during the "Sugba-sugba sa Kadalanan" Friday, January 28, as one of the highlights of the 4th Bangsi Festival celebration. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish).(Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gensan Camera Club

2011-01-29T22:57:00.001-05:00

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) - Dong Pading of Gensan Camera Club takes a break as he covers the 4th Bangsi Festival celebration Friday, January 28. Pading and other photographers from General Santos City, Sarangani and Davao City are competing in this year's Maitum Safari Photo Contest. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Bangsi Festival street dancing champion

2011-01-29T22:56:00.001-05:00

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 28, 2011) - Malalag National High School won 1st Place in this year's Bangsi Festival street dancing competition Friday, January 28. The group takes home the P30,000 prize. The festival is named after the town’s prime product, marinated bangsi (flying fish). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani Magazine

2011-01-29T22:54:00.001-05:00

KORONADAL CITY (January 26, 2011) – Regional Director Olive Sudaria ofthe Philippine Information Agency reads "SARANGANI", the official news magazine of Sarangani province during the Mindanaw Solidarity Conference Thursday, January 21. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/TresBesana)

Philippine Medical Society of Northern California

2011-01-29T22:53:00.003-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 26, 2011) – Dr. Herman Valle, head of mission of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California receives a plaque of recognition and appreciation from Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon for their full support and service to the province of Sarangani during the Grand Surgical – Medical Mission 2011 thanksgiving dinner at Family Country Hotel. (SARANGANI INFORMATIONOFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Mindanaw Solidarirty Conference

2011-01-29T22:51:00.000-05:00

KORONADAL CITY (January 26, 2011) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon talks in behalf of the Provincial Government of Sarangani during the Mindanaw Solidarity Conference at Koronadal City. The Mindanaw Solidarity Conference was organized to positively respond to the common concerns on socio-economic and political issues. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

MinDa Chairwoman

2011-01-29T22:50:00.000-05:00

KORONADAL CITY (January 26, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon listens to Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairwoman Luwalhati Antonino as they share ideas during the Mindanaw Solidarity Conference 1st leadership summit at The Farm, Carpenter Hill,Koronadal City. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc.

2011-01-29T22:48:00.000-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 26, 2011) – Members and staff of Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. headed by mission director Dr.Benedict Edward Valdez (4th left) receives a plaque of recognition and appreciation from Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (3rd left) andthe provincial government of Sarangani for their contribution and as one of the major partners in the conduct of the weeklong Grand Surgical – Medical Mission 2011 at Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Sarangani Bay view

2011-01-29T22:47:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 25, 2011) – A tourist takes a look at the Sarangani Bay early morning from Lemlunay Dive Resort’s infinity pool. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION

Kris dance

2011-01-29T22:46:00.000-05:00

MALUNGON, Sarangani (January 25, 2011) – A lovely biya (princess) of the Tagakaolo tribe dances the Lepang, a kris dance or warrior dance. Even women of the tribe must know how to defend themselves in times of danger or when an aging tribal leader needs to be defended. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Coco White Sand Beach

2011-01-29T22:45:00.000-05:00

GUMASA (January 25, 2011) – As summer is about to begin, Capitol employees play volleyball at the beachfront of Coco White Sand Beach on a weekend while the sun is about to take a dip at the horizon. Huge clouds like these reflect the sun’s colors dramatically contrasting the blue water and flakes below. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Grand medical mission serves 7,301 indigents

2011-01-29T22:42:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 23, 2011) – The biggest medical-surgical mission here, with lead medical team from the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC) and Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. (MCFI) served 7,301 Sarangani indigents.

PMSNC and MCFI, composed of more than 200 doctors and medical staff, were invited by the provincial government to conduct the five-day medical mission. It so far served the biggest number of indigent patients in major and minor surgeries, dental services, pediatric, optical and general medical services.

“We have prepared for this in the past three years in order to accommodate as many patients in the province as necessary,” Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said.

The province started screening patients from farthest barangays in September last year.

“We are very grateful that we were given medicine and provided medical assistance through the provincial government,” teary–eyed Luzviminda Naharo, a beneficiary, said.

Solon and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias welcomed the PMSNC medical team at General Santos City International Airport on January 15.

Among the 20 boxes of medical equipment and eyeglasses on board the plane were 14 boxes under the name of ophthalmologist Ron Enriquez.

“Perhaps our first challenge to help the people of Sarangani came right after we arrived at the Manila International Airport,” Enriquez said.

“But it’s good that we were able to make the Customs officials understand our passion to help and asked no more questions after some delays.”

Enriquez explained the team knows the rules in the Philippines and appreciate them doing their job, but said, “Please help us in delivering these services to them. Right now there are a lot of people in Sarangani already waiting for us.”

Enriquez desperately decided to cancel joining the mission after one of the boxes in his name was missing. The box contained 800 pairs of eyeglasses he intended to give to his patients. After knowing the incident, some staff of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan contacted the airport and located the box before the first day of the mission.

Three years ago, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Jose Villanueva, provincial health officer Antonio Yasaña, and Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon went to Davao City to start planning the medical mission.

“We would like to thank our partners and volunteers who answered the call to bring help to our indigents in the province,” Yasaña said.

MCFI mission director Benedict Edward Valdez and PMSNC head Herminigildo Valle appreciated the leadership of the provincial government “in maximizing the effort to help their people”.

Volunteer nursing students from Brokenshire College of SocSKSSarGen, General Santos Doctors Foundation, Inc., also joined the mission.

Major surgeries were done at the Socsargen County Hospital in General Santos City.
“Thank you, Governor Migs, Congressman Pacquiao, mayors and volunteers and for making this medical mission very successful. Let us continue our partnership in helping our fellow Sarangans. Many organizations have expressed their willingness to join our next medical mission and our sincere interest to serve our people,” Solon said. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Token

2011-01-29T22:39:00.001-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 22, 2011) - Glan Councilor and co-owner of Sarangani Highlands Resort Dr. Tranquilino Ruiz gives a photo frame of a Blaan lass to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman as a token as Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Hermelo Latoja looks on during the consultative meeting of the Secretary with all local chief executives of Sarangani province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow Friday, January 21, at Sarangani Highlands Resort and Restaurant. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Greetings

2011-01-29T22:38:00.000-05:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias and Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon greet residents as they arrive at Juanico Ville for a turn over ceremony of the Shelter Assistancce Project Friday, January 21, in barangay Lun Padidu. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Discussion

2011-01-29T22:37:00.002-05:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - OIC Governor Steve Solon talks with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman as Vice Mayor Jinal Panayaman listens at the turn over ceremony of the shelter assistance project. Sec. Soliman also had consultative dialogue over lunch with local chief executives of the entire province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Consultative meeting

2011-01-29T22:35:00.001-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 22, 2011) - Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman speaks at the consultative meeting with local chief executives of Sarangani province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow Friday, January 21, at Sarangani Highland Resort and Restaurant. With her at the panel are DSWD regional director Bai Zorahayda Taha, Acting Vice Governor Hermie Galzote and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Hermelo Latoja. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Certificate of Stewardship

2011-01-29T22:34:00.001-05:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman awards the Certificate of Stewardship to one of the beneficiaries of Juanico Ville resettlement project, Friday, January 21 in barangay Lun Padidu. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Briefing

2011-01-29T22:33:00.001-05:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - OIC Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon briefs Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman during the turn over ceremony of the shelter assistance project Friday, January 21, at Juanico Ville resettlement area in barangay Lun Padidu. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Arrival in resettlement area

2011-01-29T22:32:00.001-05:00

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) - Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Hermelo Latoja (3rd left) with Barangay Captain Alexander Figuracion (left) and Board Member Hermie Galzote (2nd left) escort Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman upon her arrival at Juanico Ville resettlement area Friday, January 21, for a turn over ceremony of the shelter assistance project. Sec. Soliman also had consultative dialogue over lunch with local chief executives of the entire province as part of the Regional Convergence Roadshow. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Secretary Soliman

2011-01-29T22:30:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman delivers her inspirational message before community volunteers during the dialogue and interaction with her Friday, January 21, at Templado Beach Resort in barangay Malbang. Secretary Soliman ensured that her department will provide help and work hand in hand with Mayor Jose Zamorro on their core projects in Maasim. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

SEA-K testimony

2011-01-29T22:29:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – SEA-K (Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran) community volunteer Ustadz Mohammad Saudi Tua imparts his testimony in the presence of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and to his fellow community volunteers how the project helps him a lot as he now raised 15 goats in his farm. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

Mayor Zamorro and DSWD

2011-01-29T22:28:00.002-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – Mayor Jose Zamorro delivers his welcome address in the presence of DSWD officials and community volunteers of his town. The mayor expressed his gratitude to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman for her countless projects and programs poured in Sarangani particularly in the town of Maasim. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

Dialoge with Secretary Soliman

2011-01-29T22:26:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman answers questions from community volunteers of the government’s three core program namely: Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services – Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI – CIDSS), Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) of the DSWD during the dialogue and interaction held at Templado Beach Resort Friday, January 21, in barangay Malbang. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

A thankful 4P's testimonial

2011-01-29T22:25:00.002-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (January 22, 2011) – A thankful 4P’s community volunteer Eden Pepito shares testimony how she was provided an assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) during an open dialogue and interaction with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman Friday, January 21, at Templado Beach Resort in barangay Malbang of Maasim. A widow and a mother of six, she recalled the hardships she had been through in raising her children. (MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL/Abner P. Arzaga)

Volunteers

2011-01-29T22:24:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – A volunteer nursing student and volunteers from Red Cross join together in serving and helping the people of Sarangani by providing medical assistance during the conduct of Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc., Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, SocSarGen County Hospital and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Surgical-Medical Mission

2011-01-29T13:43:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon checks the condition of a patient after a surgical operation at Capitol gym during the five-day Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol and SocSarGen County Hospital. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Red Cross volunteers

2011-01-29T13:41:00.003-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gives his appreciation and gratitude to the team of Red Cross volunteers in joining the Grand Surgical-Medical Mission by serving the people of Sarangani. Over a thousand Sarangani residents benefited from the mission. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Provincial Health Officer

2011-01-29T13:39:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Dr. Antonio Yasaña, provincial health officer, gives his remarks and expresses his gratitude to the speakers and participants from General Santos City’s nurses and doctors who participated in the lecture given by Philippine Medical Society of Northern California medical team at Sun City Suites. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Minor surgery doctors

2011-01-29T13:36:00.003-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Minor surgery doctors of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California take a souvenir photo with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, representing Governor Migs Dominguez, at the Kasfala Hall during the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc., SocSarGen County Hospital and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Medical lecture

2011-01-29T13:34:00.001-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 21, 2011) – Dr. Thomas Feeney, Director of Education in San Francisco Heart and Vascular Institute Seton Medical Center and member of Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, gives a lecture about hypothermia to the medical students, nurses and doctors from General Santos City and Sarangani at Sun City Suites in line with the five-day Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc.

2011-01-29T13:19:00.004-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) - Dr. Benedict Edward P. Valdez of Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. performs a surgical operation to a patient during the five-day Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

PMSNC pediatrician

2011-01-29T13:17:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Dr. Ramon Ortaliz, a pediatrician from Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC), checks a child during the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission, assisted by volunteer-students from General Santos Doctors Medical School Foundation Inc. at the Provincial Capitol Monday, January 17. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Mission beneficiaries

2011-01-29T13:15:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon greets the beneficiaries who were availing of the free surgical–medical services of the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Hospital visit

2011-01-29T13:13:00.001-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 21, 2011) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon wears a surgical gown together with some US Army personnel in preparing to visit the operating room of SokSarGen County Hospital where major surgeries are conducted for the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in partnership with the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Doctor of Internal medicine

2011-01-29T13:10:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 21, 2011) – Doctor of Internal Medicine Gene Balbuena of the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California checks a patient during the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Capitol compound Monday, January 17. This five-day surgical-medical mission is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Herniorraphy and Cheiloplasty

2011-01-17T23:07:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2011) – Nursing student volunteers from General Santos Doctors Foundation, Inc. assist patients for herniorraphy and cheiloplasty operation at the Kasfala Hall during the first day of the Grand Surgical and Medical Mission Monday, January 17, sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Incorporated, and the provincial government. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Minor surgery

2011-01-17T23:04:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2011) – A surgeon does a minor surgery to an indigent patient in a function room inside the Kasfala that turns to be an operating room during the first day of the Grand Surgical and Medical Mission Monday, January 17, sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Incorporated, and the provincial government. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Patients line up

2011-01-17T23:03:00.002-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (January 17, 2011) – Screened patients for eye operation wait outside a conference room inside the Kasfala used as an operating room during the first day of the Grand Surgical and Medical Mission Monday, January 17, sponsored by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Incorporated, and the provincial government. More than 200 doctors, nurses, medical staff and volunteer medical students joined the biggest medical mission in the province from January 17- 21. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Grand Surgical-Medical Mission Team

2011-01-17T23:01:00.001-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 16, 2011) – Doctors, nurses and medical staff from the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California headed by Dr. Hernan Valle (4th right) together with Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (center) and department heads take a souvenir photo as they arrive at General Santos City International Airport Saturday, January 15, for the weeklong Grand Surgical–Medical Mission in Sarangani on January 17–21. A total of 250 foreign and local doctors, medical practitioners, and volunteers will participate in the mission. The five-day activity will be composed of general medical, pediatric, general surgical services and dental services for free. This is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc., and other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Board Member Tobias welcomes medical team

2011-01-17T23:00:00.000-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 16, 2011) – Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (center) together with some department heads of Provincial Capitol welcome the medical team from the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California at the tarmac of General Santos City International Airport Saturday, January 15. The team will spearhead the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at Provincial Capitol on January 17–21. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Acting Governor welcomes medical team

2011-01-17T22:59:00.000-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 16, 2011) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (right) welcome the medical team of Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC) at General Santos City International Airport Saturday, January 15, for the Grand Surgical–Medical Mission at the Provincial Capitol from January 17 to 21. This mission is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, PMSNC, and Maharlika Charity Foundation, Inc. together with other local partners. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Christmas carols

2010-12-30T20:00:00.002-05:00

MAITUM, Sarangani (December 30, 2010) - Maitum senior citizens, led by their president, Butch Mayled, and accompanied by Board Member Bryan Reganit, sing Christmas carols to Mayor Elsie Perrett as part of their fund raising activities. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Awards Night

2010-12-22T18:41:00.002-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – Allen Lawa (center), a youth professional awardee from the Indigenous Peoples Development Program of the province, receives the plaque and certificate from Flor Limpin, Department of Interior and Local Government provincial director (right), and outgoing Pederasyong Panlalawigan ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) president Aniceto Lopez III (left) during the 1st Sarangani Province Youth Achievements Award initiated by Board Member Lopez as tribute to the youth of Sarangani. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Turn-over of responsibility

2010-12-22T18:40:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – Outgoing Pederasyong Panlalawigan ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) president Aniceto Lopez III (center) seal the turn–over of responsibility to the incoming PPSK president Victor James Yap Jr. together with outgoing SK officials during the 1st Sarangani Province Youth Achievements Award at Capitol gym Monday, December 20. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Youth Award

2010-12-22T18:38:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – Board Member and outgoing Pederasyong Panlalawigan ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) president Aniceto Lopez III expresses his gratitude to all the partners and to the provincial government of Sarangani in his three years in public service during the 1st Sarangani Province Youth Achievements Award in recognition of the contributions of the youth to the province. SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

FABC President

2010-12-22T18:36:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – The new president of the Federation of Association of Barangay Captains (FABC) and new member of the 7th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, George Perrett, barangay captain of Kalaneg, Maitum and the husband of Mayor Elsie Perrett, gives his remarks during the regular session Tuesday, December 21. Board Member Perrett succeeded Board Member Arturo Desaville. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Volunteer doctor

2010-12-22T18:35:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – Medical doctor Irene Penamante checks up a boy during the medical and dental mission Wednesday, December 22, initiated by Conal Holdings Corporation in partnership with the Vice Governor’s Office, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc, 73rd Infantry Battalion, and the barangay council. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Medicine for the family

2010-12-22T18:33:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – A mother and her two kids smile on their way home after receiving medicines and vitamins from medical volunteers during the medical and dental mission Wednesday, December 22, initiated by Conal Holdings Corporation in partnership with the Vice Governor’s Office, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc, 73rd Infantry Battalion, and the barangay council. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Medical volunteers

2010-12-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – Volunteer nurses hand over a pack of medicine and vitamins to an indigent from Kamanga during the medical and dental mission Wednesday, December 22, initiated by Conal Holdings Corporation in partnership with the Vice Governor’s Office, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc, 73rd Infantry Battalion, and the barangay council. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Medical and Dental mission

2010-12-22T18:31:00.001-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 22, 2010) – Volunteer dentist Nelda Nisperos of the Hearts and Brains Foundation conducts a dental check up to an indigent of Kamanga during the medical and dental mission Wednesday, December 22, initiated by Conal Holdings Corporation in partnership with the Vice Governor’s Office, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc., 73rd Infantry Battalion, and the barangay council. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Artist from Sarangani

2010-12-21T23:23:00.000-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 21, 2010) - Ronald Tamfalan, a Tboli artist from Kiamba,Sarangani does an on-the-spot painting during the exhibit of his visual art works at the atrium of Robinsons Place Gensan. His exhibit will end on December 24. Tamfalan is known for his tnalak painting in oil. (COCOY SEXCION/Sarangani Information Office)

SK Federation President

2010-12-21T23:22:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 20, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez introduces new Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President James Yap, Jr. at the flag raising ceremony Monday, December 20. The provincial federation is set to establish its road map for Sarangani youth early next year. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Plaque from Tri-Media Association

2010-12-21T23:21:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 20, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias representing Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon receive plaques of appreciation from Tri-Media Association president Mario Basilio for their generosity and immeasurable assistance to the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre at the flag raising ceremony Monday, December 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Christmas gift from Philhealth

2010-12-21T23:19:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 20, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez receives an initial capitalization fund and as a “Christmas gift to the governor” of P3 million from Philhealth Monday, December 20, from Philhealth social insurance officer and sponsored program coordinator Emily Facelo representing field operation division chief Dra. Grace Pamonag and GenSan service office chief Nol Valila. Also in photo are (from left) Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President James Yap, Jr. and Board Members Eleanor Saguiguit and Hermie Galzote. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Birthday wish

2010-12-21T23:18:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 20, 2010) – Provincial Administrator Vicente Camacho III thanks Capitol employees at the flag raising ceremony as they greet him on his birthday today, December 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

OPAPP models Sarangani's social integration program

2010-12-21T23:17:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – The Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Peace Institutions Development Office director Rolando Asuncion has lauded Sarangani’s localized Social Integration Program (SIP) of former rebels presented by Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon in a meeting Thursday (December 16).

“You have your own framework which is far more advanced than the other provinces,” Asuncion said.

Asuncion said Sarangani SIP has details and principles that actually entail the initiatives of OPAPP’s new framework.

Solon chairs the Localized Committee on Peace Process (LCPP).

“There is no threat of them going back to the mountains. Aside from tactical investigation, they are given provisions of food, shelter, emergency assistance, job opportunities, technical and vocational skills,” Solon said.

Ben Solarte of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) disclosed that some of these former rebels were now barangay officials.

“Some of them are also members of the barangay defense force in their own community,” Solon said.

Asuncion arrived in the province to monitor the implementation of the SIP among former rebels here and to introduce OPAPP’s new framework called BALAYAN, an acronym for Bagong Landas Para Sa Kapayapaan (New Path to Peace), enhancing the SIP.

“We also have to reconcile data on the giving of financial assistance to them. A single former rebel who hasn’t received such assistance matters a lot,” Asuncion said.

“Former rebels used the financial assistance given to them by OPAPP in building a small sari-sari store, agriculture, farming, or other forms of livelihood,” Solarte said.

Solon said the PSWDO as member of the LCPP conducts a twice-a-month visit to former rebels’ communities in Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Maasim and Malungon municipalities. Sarangani has five former rebels associations or small cooperatives which become their families’ sources of livelihood.

The Philippine Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion stationed in Maasim town reported there was no reported death in the implementation of the SIP in the province.

“One reason is they (CPP-NPA-NDF) are not as thick here as compared to other areas so we can keep them on the run,” Battalion Commander Maj. Adolfo Espuelas said.

“Another reason is that the rebel-returnees keep close to our security posts. Where the road ends, the NPA begins. So the real solution to the problem is still on the effective and efficient delivery of social services to remote communities,” Espuelas said. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pacman, Migs and Steve

2010-12-20T21:55:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Provincial officials (from left) Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao and Governor Migs Dominguez applaud as they unite against human trafficking during the commitment signing of the Provincial/Municipal Inter-Agency Committee Against Human Trafficking Thursday, December 16, at the Capitol lobby. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Local officials against human trafficking

2010-12-20T21:54:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Provincial and municipal officials led by Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao, Governor Migs Dominguez and Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon meet before the commitment signing of the Provincial/Municipal Inter-Agency Committee Against Human Trafficking Thursday, December 16, at the Capitol lobby. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Inspirational message

2010-12-20T21:53:00.002-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao gives an inspirational message to local officials, school personnel and teachers during the “Donate A Book” Program books distribution Thursday, December 16, from SM Foundation, Inc. and Children International Philippines for Sarangani school children. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Commitment report and commitment signing

2010-12-20T21:52:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao and Governor Migs Dominguez lead local officials in the commitment signing of the Provincial/Municipal Inter-Agency Committee Against Human Trafficking Thursday, December 16, at the Capitol lobby. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ceremonial signing

2010-12-20T21:50:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Board Member and committee chair Eleanor Saguiguit signs the tarpaulin of the Provincial/Municipal Inter-Agency Committee Against Human Trafficking during the commitment signing Thursday, December 16, at the Capitol lobby. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Turn-over of books

2010-12-20T21:48:00.002-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Cynthia Guerra, area manager of Act for Peace Programme, gives books to Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Major Adolfo Espuelas Jr. (left). The books contain success stories from peace advocates and communities. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Thanksgiving day

2010-12-20T21:46:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Board Member Elmer de Peralta (center) leads the awarding of plaques and certificates together with Josephine Alog (left), the Provincial Training Officer, to the NGO’s and private partners who joined the two-day Information Educational Campaign (IEC) for Employees Health Care and Management Cum Medical Consultation sponsored by the provincial government thru the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) and Provincial Administrator’s Office (PADO) with the support of Vice Governor’s Office. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Social integration presentation

2010-12-20T21:18:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Vice Governor and chair of local committee on peace process Steve Chiongbian Solon gives his presentation and backgrounder about the social integration of former rebels or KRs (Kauban sa Reporma) Thursday, December 16. The province is one of the pilot areas for the implementation of the social integration program under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPPAP) that gives assistance to rebel returnees. There are at least 50 former rebels from the province in the past two years who have benefited from the program. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

2010-12-20T21:17:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Director Rolly Asuncion of Peace Institutions Development Office under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) gives his presentation on the Bagong Landas Para sa Kapayapaan (BALAYAN) or the new path to peace and discusses the comprehensive framework for the reintegration and development of former combatants and their communities of settlement at ECPC building, Thursday December 16. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Map turn-over

2010-12-20T21:16:00.002-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Cynthia Guerra, area manager of Act for Peace Programme, hands over the Sarangani Map to Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon where they have implemented projects in 18 peace and development communities throughout Sarangani. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Christmas caroling

2010-12-20T21:15:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gets entertained by Christmas carolers from Alabel at the Vice Governor’s Office Thursday, December 16. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Conal, CAFI share Yuletide spirit with tribal villagers

2010-12-20T21:05:00.003-05:00

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 17, 2010) – The milieu of the Yuletide season filled a tribal village here Wednesday (December 15) as the Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Incorporated (CLAFI) andConal Holdings Corporation (CHC) pooled resources in setting off a Christmas party for the 120 Blaan pupils of the newly-built Langaran Primary School.

CLAFI volunteers and CHC employees together with local officials brought boxes of Koko Crunch Cereal courtesy of Nestlé Philippines,and ‘Milk Migs’, (oatmeal with milk) through the feeding program of Governor Migs Dominguez.

Contingents from the 73rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, were also present in the activity.

After a short program and parlor games, free lunch was partaken among the villagers.

Beneficiaries also received special gift packs containing clothing andnew pair of slippers.

“We are here to relive the symbol of Christ’s birth, and that is His love to mankind. We have to share that love and humility each day,”said CHC project assurance manager Rommel Tomas Falgui.

He added: “You (children) have to love your future, your family andyour community by valuing education as your tool for success.”CHC allocated P1 million for the construction of the two-classroom building as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs.

The building is a 10 by 40 meter-concrete edifice occupying 144 square meters of land area.

Meantime, the provincial government of Sarangani, through the Provincial School Board, shoulders the salary of two teachers assignedin the village.

Sitio Langaran, a Blaan community of 60 households located in barangayKablacan, is a 22-kilometer uphill stretch from the town proper.

Dueto the inaccessibility of the village, the tribe and their childrenwere deprived of education for decades.Such is the case of Che-Che Manatin, a 16-year old lass who has juststarted her elementary education.Now that a school was finally put up in her village Che-Che hasfinally found the shaft of light to a better future.“I want to become a teacher,” she said.

Aside from Langaran, the school also benefits children from adjoiningcommunities of Sitio Bog, Datal Pupo, Datal Basak, Purok Matbal amongothers.

Falgui further disclosed that the company is contemplating on additional buildings for the school in the near future for Grade II class.

Meanwhile, in her message, Maasim councilor Liezel Tano revealed she was “humbled and moved” as she witnessed for the first time the community’s dire need for assistance and intervention.

“This experience poses a great challenge for every one of us,” she stressed.

“First, to the parents of these children, to be diligent in sending their kids to school every day and help them with their studies.Second, to government officials like me, to be more determined in uplifting lives of the people who are destitute.”

“In behalf of the entire local government of Maasim, I would like to thank Conal Holdings and Alcantara Foundation for helping Maasim,”Tano concluded. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ray Daniel)

The outgoing and incoming

2010-12-15T20:52:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 16, 2010) – Outgoing Provincial Federation of Sangguniang Kabataan president Anecito Lopez III welcomes incoming Board Member Victor James Yap Jr. during the regular session Tuesday,December 14. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

PPSK Federation President

2010-12-15T20:50:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 16, 2010) – The new Federation President of Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) Victor James Yap Jr. gives his inaugural message as new member of 7th Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Yap vowed to give his best for the youth ofthe province during his first session as board member Tuesday,December 14. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Words of encouragement

2010-12-15T20:49:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 16, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve ChiongbianSolon gives his words of encouragement and advice by putting their heart in service to the newly elected Panlalawigang Pederasyon ngSangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) officers headed by PPSK Federation president Victor James Yap Jr. while Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director Jun Limpin (right) looks on.SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

PPSK officers

2010-12-15T20:47:00.001-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 16, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon administers the oath of office to the newly elected set of officers of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan(PPSK) headed by Victor James Yap Jr.(2nd, left) at the provincial office of Department of Interior and Local Government. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Rescue Trainee Graduates

2010-12-15T20:46:00.000-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 16, 2010) – The graduates of the 20-daysearch and rescue training together with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center), Malapatan Vice Mayor Jinal Panayaman (left), Malapatan Municipal Councilor Abdul Nasser Suib (right) and members of 505th 3rd Search and Rescue Squadron of Philippine AirForce (seated) during their graduation ceremony at Capitol gym Tuesday, December 14. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Ritchie Tongo)

Rescue retrieval operation

2010-12-15T20:43:00.001-05:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 16, 2010) – Participants of search andrescue training work on their rescue retrieval operation as part oftheir 20-day training at Nopol Hill, barangay Mabuhay. The activitywas in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, MLGUof Malapatan, Kiamba and Maasim and the 505th 3rd Search and Rescue Squadron of Philippine Air Force based in Davao City. (SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE/Ivan Arroyo)

Job well done

2010-12-15T20:42:00.002-05:00

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 16, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon congratulates outgoing Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Aniceto lopez III Tuesday, December 14, for a job well done in his three years in service and as a role model to the youth of the province. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)