DILG releases P3M incentive to Tacurong for Seal of Good Housekeeping

(November 28, 2011) After being awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier this year, the city government of Tacurong has already received the P3 Million incentive dubbed as Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).

DILG 12 Director Buagas Sulaik personally handed the P3M check to the city officials of Tacurong during a turnover ceremony in front of the city hall on November 28.

The PCF, given to LGUs conferred with SGH Seal, is an incentive that the LGU beneficiaries should use in the implementation of their projects. Before officially getting the PCF however, an LGU recipient has to allocate a financial counterpart (to be taken from the 20% component of the LGU’s Internal Revenue Allotment), of the same amount or more. The LGU is also required to complete at least 40 percent of the project before DILG releases the fund.

The PCF Technical Working Group of the LGU identified the road concreting in Barangay Upper Katungal as the project for the PCF, and after going through the process, started and completed the 40 percent of the concreting in October.

Tacurong is one of the only five cities in the Philippines, and the only one from Mindanao, belonging to the 4th to 6th class to be conferred with the award this 2011.

The other awardees for the cities category are Alaminos, Pangasinan; Candon, Ilocos Sur; Passi, Iloilo; and Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Tacurong and the rest of the awardees belong to the 2nd batch of SGH recipients this year. They are joined by municipalities belonging to the 4th to 6th class stamped also with SGH seal.

The Seal of Good Housekeeping is a mechanism comprising a set of criteria aimed at recognizing Local government Units (LGUs) with good performance in internal housekeeping particularly in the areas of Planning, Sound Fiscal Management, Transparency and Accountability, and Valuing Performance Management.

Among the key components of the SGH criteria are compliance to the mandates of the Anti-Red Tape Act as well as to the Full Disclosure Policy of the DILG. Further, LGUs stamped with Good Housekeeping Seal should have “no adverse” report from the Commission on Audit, which means that they should have complied with all the requirements of the government’s auditing agency.

Emphasis is also given to the LGU’s compliance to the mandates of the Anti-Red Tape Act.

Tacurong was evaluated in May by a team from DILG Regional Office. Several data were gathered from offices concerned; interviews were conducted; and even the records of the local police station were checked as to the peace and order condition of the locality.

After passing the regional evaluation, Tacurong made it through the National Table Assessment and Validation, and subsequently stamped with SGH Seal.

“I am very happy with the most recent award we received, but then again ,we only have to work harder; after all, this is what we, public servants, are expected to do,” Mayor Montilla said. (Allan S. Freno)

LGU Tacurong mourns Maguindanao Massacre victims

(November 24, 2011) The Local Government Unit of Tacurong joined the whole country in commemorating the second anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre with a meaningful ceremony on November 23.

LGU Tacurong employees convened in front of the city hall with their candles, hopes, and prayers to finally deliver justice to the victims of the bloodbath in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

           

The ceremony was headed by the Human Resources Management Office. A prayer was dedicated by Mr. Danilo Lorizo and the Talakudong choir offered a song of comfort not only for the souls of the victims but for their families and loved ones who continue to grieve from the barbarous mutilation.

The horrifying slaughter on November 23, 2009, left 57 people dead, including unarmed women, journalists, and lawyers along with members of the Mangudadatu clan, in Ampatuan town while on their way to file the candidacy papers of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, who was then Buluan vice mayor.

Among the victims was a resident of Tacurong City in the person of Reynaldo Bebot Momay, 60, photojournalist of Midland review, who has not been found until now.

Other victims included were LGU Tacurong employees namely Eduardo Lechonsito (and his wife Cecille), Mercy Palabrica, Daryll delos Reyes and Wilhelm Palabrica who, on their way to Cotabato City, just accidentally joined the convoy of Mangudadatu's group when the incident happened. 

This dastardly act makes words meaningless to convey the outrage felt by the whole country. Adding to the horror is the fact that two years after the massacre occurred, more than half of the nearly 200 suspects still remain at large.

However, the primary suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr., is currently being tried by a Quezon City court for multiple murder charges on the subject of the massacre.

On Wednesday, two party-list lawmakers filed a measure which urges the government to declare November 23 of each year as “National Consciousness Day to End Impunity" to commemorate the Ampatuan massacre.

Under the proposed House Bill 5529, the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) is ordered to lead certain programs to commemorate the Maguindanao Massacre. They are also tasked to create programs directed towards educating the people about human rights issues and the need to uphold these rights on November 23 of each year. (Jessa Billano)

Tacurong joins the Philippine Cities Global Convention and Exposition in Manila

Resorts World, Pasay City (November 17, 2011) – The City of Tacurong gets another chance to showcase itself as it joins other cities in the country in the 3^rd Philippine Cities Global Convention and Exposition, which kicked off today, November 17 at the Resorts World in Pasay City.       

            The convention, first to be hosted by the League of Cities of the Philippines, also gathered cities from other countries such as Japan, Australia and Canada. The event carries the theme ‘Bridging Cities, Transforming Lives’ and aims to put the Philippine Cities at par with their international counterparts.

Mayor Lina Montilla headed the delegation from Tacurong, which included other city officials and heads of the various departments of the city government.

Plenary and breakout sessions were held at the Resorts World and nearby Marriott Hotel where international experts and city officials build network and share inputs on common issues such as climate change, environment, local economy, and urban shelter.  

Participating cities also joined other international and private exhibitors in the exposition that simultaneously opened today at the adjacent new Port City Terminal. With the exposition, the public is given the rare opportunity to see the wonders of the country as cities from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao display the best of their cities. People wanting to buy local products unique in each city are also given a one-stop-shop offer.

 Mayor Montilla, who stayed at the Expo venue the whole morning before proceeding to the convention, got the chance to meet and talk with international entrepreneurs from Japan and officials from Blacktown City, Australia who were also delegates to the convention.

Chris Shannon, a delegate from Blacktown City expressed his amazement to the Baras Bird Sanctuary, one of the centerpiece exhibits of Tacurong in the exposition.

 By knowing more about Tacurong, many people from other parts of the Philippines and other countries have been given a new information on Mindanao geography particularly Tacurong, a budding city in the central part of Southern Philippines.

            The convention and exposition are on until November 19 culminating with a tour to selected cities in Metro Manila to give delegates a personal feel of the issues faced by urban cities as well as let them know of their best programs and practices. (Allan Freno, LGU-Tacurong City)

LGU Tacurong joins 11th PSEAS Foundation Anniversary Celebration

            (November 15, 2011) The Local Government Unit of Tacurong adhered to the Public Sector Employees Alliance of SOCSKSARGEN (PSEAS) in celebration of their 11^th Foundation Anniversary succeeded various socio-cultural competitions on October 20-21 at the London Beach Resort, Bawing, General Santos City.

            The Tacurong City Employees Association (TACEA) was among the 24 member unions of the Alliance which espoused the occasion’s theme: “PSEAS: Nagkakaisa sa Pagtugon sa mga Hamon ng Pag-uunyon.” The event entailed a showcase of not only talents and skills, but of genuine spirit of unionism.

            79 LGU Tacurong employees participated in the different events including song solo and duet, pop dance, and folk dance competitions. The foremost Mutya ng PSEAS was also witnessed in this year’s Foundation Anniversary.

            Mr. Eduardo Garcia got the first place in song solo while Ms. Ma. Teresa P. Dinero stood head and shoulders above the candidates of other teams and proudly brought home the bacon as the Mutya ng PSEAS 2011.

            TACEA President Ms. Amelia Bochorno vigorously conveyed her glee with the participation of LGU Tacurong in this year’s PSEAS Foundation Anniversary celebration. She also emphasized that the competition was not the highlight of the event but the intensified bond between the LGU Tacurong participants.

           

            Moreover, according to her, success was not only measured by the wins they have achieved but on how they prepared and fought with all their talents and efforts. (Jessa Bilano)



Team Tacurong overall champion in national arnis tourney

(October 26, 2011) The Arnis Sports Team of Tacurong earned its tenth straight National Arnis Tournament championship in the recently held Arnis tilt in Bacolod City last October 15-16.Tacurong City’s contenders gainfully thrilled the crowd as they bagged 18 golds, 10 silvers, and 5 bronzes. 

Venus Apresto with one gold and Cyra Regine Olivar with two golds and one silver got the spotlight in Kids Category. 

The Junior Category was also dominated by Tacurongnons namely Nolie John Bayya (1 gold), Sheena Del Monte (2 golds, 1 silver), Angel Joy Ariston (2 silvers), Princess Hann Paniza (1 silver), Janica Depasupil (1 silver), Brent Randolph Pauya (1 gold, 1 silver), Alfie Carillo (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), Rodrick Joshua Victorio (2 golds), and Ronald Acain (1 gold, 1 bronze).

Reynan Subaldo (2 golds), Rey John Miguel (1 gold, 1 silver), Christian Manaay (1 gold, 1 bronze), Acer Jolero (1 bronze), Ritchie Molina (1 silver), Jose Jover Pajarpa (1 gold), Ferdinand Tingson (1 gold), Ma. Lara Carillo (1 gold) and Airene Apresto (1 silver) as well didn’t fail to give honor to the City of Goodwill when they represented the city in the tournament’s Senior Category.

Arnis came from the Spanish word "arnes" which means armor. It is also known as eskrima, kali, or garrote. Wooden sticks are used as a weapon and a training tool in this sport. These sticks are given swinging and twisting movements along with the thrusting and striking techniques for defense and offense.

With the enactment of Republic Act No. 9850, Arnis was declared as the Philippines’ national martial art and sport.

This victory of the Arnis Sports Team of Tacurong conveys the undying support of the Local Government of Tacurong for our national culture and sports.

DOLE, LGU give livelihood aid to 3 ex-OFWs, 6 shoe repairmen of Tacurong

(October 16, 2011) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the city government of Tacurong through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) on October 3 released livelihood assistance to nine individuals residing in the city.


The nine recipients, three of them former overseas workers and the other six all shoe repairmen or sapateros, belong to what is termed as workers in the informal economy. DOLE-Sultan Kudarat Field Officer Arlene Bisnon and City Mayor Lina Montilla turned over the various tools and jigs to the recipients during the Monday flag ceremony at the city hall.


The sapateros each received a complete set of shoe repair materials including a heavy duty repair table with cabinet, rubber soles, waxes and threads among others. Each set was worth a little less than five thousand pesos. The three former overseas workers who opted to stay in the country to start their respective small businesses also received tools and jigs.


Heidi Eliarda, who worked in the Middle East for few years but decided to go back home to start a banana barbeque or turunan business inside the city public market, received more than four thousand pesos worth of start-up materials such as sugar, oil and raw bananas. “With my family being financially-hard up right now, the start-up capital I received is already a big help to augment my income”, Eliarda said in Hiligaynon.


Bisnon said that, instead of giving free dole outs, DOLE has shifted to a more practical and effective strategy of giving assistance, which is provision of tools and jigs. She said that in this way, there is an assurance that the aid will be really used for the intended purpose. “In identifying the recipients, we see to it that they are already skilled in their ventures and it is them who give us the list of what they need”, Bisnon said.


Mayor Montilla praised the department’s project of giving livelihood kits instead of cash assistance. “I think it’s time for the city government to implement this scheme to make sure that whatever assistance we give will definitely be put into use”, she said. (Allan Freno, LGU-Tacurong PESO)

LGU Tacurong celebrates 20 years of the Local Government Code of 1991

(October 7, 2011) The City Government of Tacurong joins in the nationwide celebration of the 20^th year of the signing of the Local Government Code of 1991.

The theme of this year’s celebration to be conducted on October 9-11 is “Local Government Code: 20 Years of Gains Towards a More Meaningful Autonomy.” 

The three-day celebration will kick off with the Barangay General Assembly which will be simultaneously conducted along with all the other barangays nationwide.

It is expected that the 20 barangays of Tacurong will vigorously participate in the said event to showcase their support to the 20 years of outstanding local governance due to the implementation of the said local government code.

Other activities are as well looked forward to for a more meaningful celebration.

On October 11, during the Local Governance Recognition and Awards, the Seal of Good Housekeeping, EXCELL Awards, and Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award will be given to acknowledged good performing local governments. 

The Tugon ng Pangulo sa Pamahalaang Lokal will be conducted on the same day wherein the President shall deliver a keynote message which will convey his response on pressing local government issues.

Community-led activities that will uphold community engagement and develop public awareness on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption, Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Economic Development, Security, Justice, Peace, and Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation will also be carried out with the direction of the local governments nationwide.

The Local Government Code of 1991 is understood to be the one which is responsible for the positive transformation of local governance therefore attributing wider citizens’ participation and greater civil society, business and private sector engagement and support in good local governance. (Jessa Billano)

IGPAT SANG KAMERA 2011 COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 1ST CITY OF TACURONG PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST [Talakudong Festival Category]

(October 2, 2011) Igpat sang Kamera Committee announces the winners of the 1st City of Tacurong Photography Contest with the theme: “Capturing the Beauty of Tacurong”. The judging was held at City Hall Building, Alunan Highway, Tacurong City. All 126 photo entries were printed on 8”x12” digital paper. All entries were judged according to the following criteria:

    Clarity                                                                20%
    Spontaneity                                                        20%
    Emotions evoked                                               20%
    Festival mood, vibrancy, & ambiance               20%    
    Festival activities and highlights                       10%
    Essence of the festival to the people  
    of the City of Tacurong                                     10%






The top 6 winners
__________________________________________________________________

First Place

Tuesdy Marie Baliza                                       

General Santos City

Second Place

Juniette D. Capili

Tacurong City

 

Third Place

Jonathan Jara

Koronadal City

Fourth Place

Joseph Bernard “Jong” Fresco

Tacurong City

 

Fifth Place

Dennis P. Escarlan

Tacurong City

 

Sixth Place

Mary Grace Nidoy

Columbio, Sultan Kudarat

Street Dance and Field Demo Competition amaze Tacurongnons and visitors

       (September 21, 2011) The city of goodwill froze to witness the spectacle of the annual Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition held at the City Hall Grounds on September 18.

            To lift the spirit of unity of not just the participants but of the whole city, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte gave her message as a guest of honor in this year’s Talakudong Festival.

            “Ayaw mo’g kalimot nga sa usa ka siyudad, ang iyahang bahandi, anaa sa katawhan. So importante nga kamo mga katawhan, kamong mga opisyales sa syudad, isa lang ang inyuhang direksyon. Maghugpong mo padulong sa usa ka direksyon alang-alang sa kaugmaon sa inyuhang siyudad,” Mayor Duterte said.

            Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, one of the guests of honor of the festival, also conveyed his support and admiration in the way Tacurongnons celebrate the Foundation Anniversary of the city.

            Five groups displayed Tacurong City’s rich culture as they filled the day with vibrant and lively costumes, props and astounding tune of musical instruments. The participants included the Tribu Manubiao from Central Tacurong District; Tribu Katubuhan from East-West Tacurong District and San Emmanuel High School; Tribu Kudong from North Tacurong District and VF Grino Memorial National High School; Tribu Salakot from Tacurong National High School; and Tribu Kadsaya from South Tacurong District, Apolinario S. Bernardo Memorial National High School and Rajah Muda National High School.

            Tribu Manubiao was declared Best in Street Dancing. Best in Street Showdown award was bagged by Tribu Salakot while Best in Field Demo/Headgear Exhibition was garnered by Tribu Kudong.

            The over-all result declared Tribu Salakot as the 3^rd runner up who received Php 85,000; Tribu Manubiao received Php 100, 000 as the 1^st runner up; and Tribu Kudong went home with Php 130, 00o for being the Champion of this year’s Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition.

            The event successfully ended with Mayor Lina Montilla’s vision of a unified community not just in trying times but most of all, in festivity and celebration.

            The Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition culminated the week-long celebration of the city of Tacurong’s 11^th Foundation Anniversary.

SKEI lass crowned as Mutya ng Tacurong 2011

SKEI lass crowned as Mutya ng Tacurong 2011

by Jessa Loreta Billano

            Nine stunning damsels representing different organizations vied for the title of this year’s Search for Mutya ng Lungsod ng Tacurong in the hope of becoming the city’s most beautiful woman.

            In spite of the downpour, people from different places came in the big affair held at the NDTC gymnasium on September 16.

            Councilor Joselito Cajandig Sr., the chairperson of the event, welcomed the guests and audience at the start of the pageant. Mayor Lina Montilla as well gave her message as a symbol of her undying support in upholding not just Tacurongnons’ beauties, but also their wit, intellect and talents. Sponsoring the event was Sagittarius Mines Incorporated.

            Among the prestigious panel of judges were Nelly Nita Dillera; Noel Garovillo; Lech Walesa Ong; Richelle Valerie Pailden; Nephlida Gonzales.

            The competition was tough, but at the end, it was no surprise that Precious Pearl Tadena, the tall and sweet lass of Sultan Kudarat Educational Institute and Sultan Kudarat Doctors’ Hospital owned the title Mutya ng Tacurong. She also took the Best in Modern Filipiniana Gown award, and was chosen as the Darling of the Crowd.

            Campus Art’s Anna Joy Noto was first runner-up and Mutya ng Tacurong Tourism while NDTC’s Darlene Joy Salazar was second runner-up and Mutya ng Tacurong Culture and Arts. Julie Ann Narcilla of Magnet Distributor and Stephanie Mae Cubita of ABC were third and fourth runners up respectively.

            The Mutya ng Tacurong 2011 is one of the highlights of Tacurong’s 11^th Cityhood Foundation Anniversary celebration.

IGPAT SANG KAMERA ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 1ST CITY OF TACURONG PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST [Discover Tacurong Category]

Igpat sang Kamera announces the winners of the 1^st City of Tacurong Photography Contest with the theme: “Capturing the Beauty of Tacurong”. The judging was held at City Hall Building, Alunan Highway, Tacurong City. All 84 photo entries were printed on 8”x12” digital paper. All entries were judged according to the following criteria:

v Relevance to the theme              40%

v Composition/Arrangement         20%

v Focus/Sharpness/Lighting         20%

v Creativity                                         20%

The top 6 winners

____________________________________________________

First Place

Jonathan Jara

Koronadal City

                 

Second Place

Edgar S. Alvarez

Brgy. New Carmen, Tacurong City

Third Place

Bernard Joseph “Jong” Fresco

Tacurong City

Fourth Place

Marlo Fel C. Paradero

Tacurong City

Fifth Place

Rogelio Jun Degayo Jr.

Tacurong City

Sixth Place

Grace M. Nidoy

Municipality of Columbio



Tacurong is Region 12's most child-friendly city

The Regional Council for the Welfare of Children has chosen Tacurong as the most child-friendly city in Region XII under the component cities category, a proof of the city’s seriousness in putting children’s welfare to the fore of its priorities.

            In a letter sent to the office of Mayor Lina Montilla last week, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Bai Zorahayda Taja officially informed the mayor that Tacurong satisfactorily passed the regional evaluation conducted last month.

Director Taja added that by becoming the region’s most child-friendly city, Tacurong will receive a child-friendly seal plus a fifty thousand pesos cash prize. Further, the city becomes the regional entry for the National Search for the Most Child-Friendly City to be launched this month.

            The city was evaluated based on its child-friendly policies and programs particularly in the areas of survival, protection, education, and development. Representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, and DSWD composed the regional evaluation team.

            During the validation on July 27, the evaluators checked various pertinent documents such as the annual budget of the city to determine how much funds go to programs that promote the welfare of children. Evaluators also paid a visit to the police station and inspected the latter’s Women and Children’s Desk along with its records.

            Three out of the twenty barangays were also subjected to ocular inspection to know the functionality of each of its Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). The City Council for the Welfare of Children (CCWC), being allowed to submit one barangay for inspection, chose Barangay Buenaflor, which has the most functional BCPC in Tacurong. The other two barangays, Tina and Calean, were selected by the evaluators in random.

            Since the education aspect of the children were given equal consideration, evaluators also inspected one of its public schools, the Tacurong National High School, to determine how far did the City Schools Division go in terms of providing quality education for all.

After a whole day validation, the evaluators and members of the CCWC headed by Mayor Lina Montilla, sat down for an exit conference. The evaluation team declared that except for some minor comments, the city had done well in almost all areas, highlighted by the education sector getting relatively the highest rating.

            Nearly a month after the validation, Tacurong got the official word that it passed the evaluation and declared as the regional winner.

Mayor Montilla, who also sits as the chairperson of CCWC, hopes that the city will be able to get the national award despite strong competition anticipated to be presented by other regions.

CCWC Action Officer Nancy Bawe said that the council is making improvements based on the feedbacks offered by the regional evaluation team. “Before the national evaluation team visits our city for the validation, we hope to already make enhancements to boost our chances in the national search’, Bawe said. [Allan S. Freno]

Tacurong City hosts PMA entrance test

          More than two hundred youths trooped to the city gymnasium of Tacurong on August 28, 2011 to take the entrance examination of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

The entrance examination, the first ever to be conducted in the city, was the initial stage in the arduous process an applicant has to hurdle to enter the most prestigious military academy in the country.

Many of the applicants who took the exam were from Tacurong City but a sizable number also came from other municipalities of Sultan Kudarat and neighboring provinces.

Before the written test, examiners from the PMA checked first the exam permits of the applicants and subsequently conducted a limited physical test, which included height measurement among others. For males, an applicant must not be less than 5 feet and four inches tall, while a female applicant must reach at least 5 feet and two inches limit.

The examiners also accommodated a number of walk-in applicants with complete documentary requirements.

Major Edgar Catu, Senior Tactical Officer of PMA and team leader of the examiners who arrived in Tacurong, said that most of the applicants passed the limited physical test but there were some of them who failed to reach the height requirement.

One hundred ninety-nine applicants who passed the physical test were eventually allowed to take the written test.

Joining Major Catu in the team of examiners were Technical Sergeants Adelino Lomibao and Joel Tongawan. Two Cadets 1^st Class, Bryan Vingno and Alvin dela Cruz, also were part of the five-man team. Vingno and dela Cruz, both residents of Barangay San Pablo, Tacurong will graduate in the PMA next year.

Residents of Tacurong and neighboring municipalities were excited upon hearing that the PMA selected the city as one testing centers in Region XII.

Mayor Lina Montilla said that the city government is grateful to the effort of Major Catu who personally recommended and lobbied to the PMA to add Tacurong as another testing center in the region.

In an interview, Major Catu said that in years that he has been conducting entrance tests, he observed that many applicants from Tacurong and neighboring towns were flocking to the testing centers in General Santos City and Cotabato City.

“I saw how difficult it was for them to go to far testing centers”, Major Catu said. “I recommended Tacurong to be a testing center and I am grateful that my recommendation solicited a positive response”.

He also stated that Tacurong has been a familiar place since he spent three years in the city when he was still with the 301^st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, which was formerly based in Barangay Kalandagan.

With the number of examinees who took the entrance test last Sunday, Major Catu is confident that the PMA will make the place a permanent testing center in the years ahead.

Mayor Montilla also hopes that with this recent development, the city will start producing a number of PMA graduates every year. [Allan S. Freno]