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Vow of commitment

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 11, 2008) - Youth volunteers recite their vow of commitment during the launching of the "Sarangani Big brother: Reading is fun!" mentoring program Thursday, April 10. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

QUEST launching

MALUNGON, Sarangani (October 21, 2008) - Pupils of Malungon Central Elementary School attend the formal launching of the Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) Tuesday, October 21, at the municipal gym. QUEST is a program by the Synergeia Foundation in partnership with the local government and the community which aims to uplift the quality of basic education in grade school. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

MOU on parent mentoring for schools signed in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 10, 2009) – A Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was signed Friday (October 9) by the Chiongbian Group of Companies represented by its executive vice president Roy Chiongbian, the provincial government, and the Department of Education (DepEd) for School Wide Parent Mentoring Session.

The activity, spearheaded by the Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) and the DepEd, is based on “the urgency of arresting the deterioration in the quality of basic education and encouraging the local community to become part of the improvement and reform of the basic educational system,” the MOU stated.

The project sees the need for more parents’ participation in improving the performance of their children in reading, a basic skill that will prepare them for lifelong learning.

Last Friday was also the provincial celebration of teachers’ day dubbed “A Teacher - A Hero in Everybody’s Heart” at the Capitol gym.

“This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to you, teachers,” Governor Migs Dominguez told the participants. Sarangani has a total of 3,492 DepEd personnel and teachers.

“We recognize your hardships and we look for the most passionate ones to help us strengthen our people,” the governor said.

Guest speaker Engr. Efren Reyes stressed the role of teachers in the country.

“You are in the position to build up the next generation,” Reyes said.

Reyes denounced the negative connotations role of the Filipinos in the world.

Reyes said “there is no bad student in school. All it takes is a teacher to motivate the child to learn. Education is learning to love to learn.”

“I am very happy for you today,” businessman Roy Chiongbian said.

“We know how hard it is for you physically and mentally, but you are always behind each student’s success,” Chiongbian told the teachers. He is the youngest son of the late former Congressman James Chiongbian and former Governor Priscilla Chiongbian, both champions of education in Sarangani.

“This is the beauty of the province’s executive and legislative working together as one team,” Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said.

“As teachers, we are here as students of the university of life. We learn and innovate to really help others in our chosen vocation,” Solon added.

Schools Division Superintendent Deborah Adrales said DepEd Sarangani has improved its performance record from 37 to 61 percent in elementary and from 28 to 47 percent in high school in a span of six years, but more significantly in the past two years.

“We started by launching the QUEST raising the performance of our children. We believe that education is the key to poverty,” said Governor Dominguez.

“Our SEF (Special Education Fund) is so small, but we do not stop there,” the governor said. The provincial government has fielded 250 new teachers who are mostly assigned to schools in far-flung barangays.

Dominguez said the province will also identify schools mostly populated by indigenous children where it can build boarding houses with the teachers as their surrogate parents.

The provincial government, according to the tripartite agreement, “shall conceptualize and design the project as part of the QUEST Program” while the DepEd “shall implement, mobilize and evaluate the progress and impact of the school wide parent mentoring.”

The Chiongbian Group of Companies “shall provide the necessary funding requirement and assistance for the full implementation of the project.”

Prizes for the day-long games and activities such as books and home appliances were donated by Roy Chiongbian, Alcantara Foundation, Sagittarius Mines Incorporated, and Smart Communications. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Springhill Village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Dominguez!

Click title to visit the link.

Distribution of ECCD horses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)