Tacurongnons plot the metropolitan with “Let’s Map Tacurong City!”

           (May 25, 2012) With approximately 50 participants who attended the Google Mapping seminar/workshop called “Let’s Map Tacurong City!”, the event pushed through last May 20, 2012 at the Notre Dame of Tacurong College Audio Visual Room, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

            The said number exceeded the expectations of the organizer of the event, Dr. Remo Aguilar. According to Dr. Aguilar, there were more than 30 people who registered online, but the overwhelming number of walk-ins increased the total number of participants.

            During the opening program, Hon. Rodrigo Jamorabon expressed his utmost gratitude for Dr. Remo and his colleagues for conducting events such as “Let’s Map Tacurong City!” that will greatly help the government as well as the Tacurongnons.

            “Let’s Map Tacurong City!” is a product based on the Google Summit that took place in General Santos City. “The idea started to crop up after we saw that Tacurong doesn’t have that much laid beautiful map (in Google). It has a low resolution satellite image, yet that is being seen in Tacurong City’s map. So we thought that maybe it’s time that we start trying to map Tacurong and try to hurdle the obstacle of its low satellite image,” Dr. Aguilar said.

            Most of the participants were students from the different colleges of Tacurong City. Others came from the Joint Task Force Talakudong, the PNP, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the business chamber of the city, and owners of business establishments.

            Different lectures included the importance of mapping up Tacurong City, the basics before mapping in Google Map Maker, and working the software through a step by step tutorial. Participants were taught how to add new places, landmarks, streets, establishments and other structures in the city. Also, editing, reviewing, and deleting features were shared by the mentors from the SOCKSARGEN Bloggers.

            A lecture on tracking trails using GPS enabled android phones were mentored by a representative of the City Planning and Development Office, a colleague of Dr. Aguilar in the Google Summit. A petition was also filed to Google during the seminar/workshop for a better resolution of Tacurong City in Google Maps.

            This event was organized by Tacurong Online and Google, together with the SOCKSARGEN Bloggers, LGU Tacurong, Department of Tourism, Notre Dame of Tacurong College and supported by FreBros Technology, Arkowa Arts, Palm Bistro and Little Einstein School. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)

Public Service at its Best: a Volunteer’s View on Tacurong’s City Hall sa Barangay (Feature)

I intended to inscribe this piece of writing in my last days as a volunteer for the Trimedia Office. Not only because the pressure of writing it is quite heavy, but because “City Hall sa Barangay” has touched my heart in ways I never thought as a Tacurongnon.

Before I decided to volunteer, I must say I was an ordinary citizen of Tacurong City. Ordinary in a sense that I do not engage myself into the things that’s been happening around, I do not interest myself because I was busy planning out my future. Well, one of the main reasons why I volunteered in the first place is to have a feel of the workplace – for my future. Never did I think that a big change would be instilled into me in 35 days.

I have been exposed to many activities for the articles that I write. I was familiar with all of it, except “City Hall sa Barangay.” Being away from the city because of my studies, I have long been missing out with the activities laid out by the government. But as much as I want to defend myself, I know I should catch up. So I went with my workmates to experience it myself.

The scheduled barangay last April 20 was Brgy. Upper Katungal. Being a first-timer, I didn’t know what to expect. So when I went out of the van, I was fascinated by the scenery – there was no scenery left, only a crowd of people lining up to avail the different services of the city.

Equipped with a camera, I decided to take pictures while taking an observation. I went on a corner to try capturing a wide shot, and I saw beyond. A number of tables and chairs given to each of the offices of the LGU, ready to accommodate people with their free services. Cartons of medicine piled up to provide proper doses with the patients’ prescriptions. Men in military uniforms giving free haircut. Dental tools onset for its clients. Busy employees going back and forth. Public servants doing what they know best, serving with a smile. It gave me chills. I caught myself smiling, alone, like a crazy person.

I tried to explore each of the services being offered in “City Hall sa Barangay,” keenly understanding each of them. But I cannot take my eyes off of the residents seated in the middle of the gymnasium, waiting for their turns. It’s as if I have been fighting my emotional side just to take shots. Well, just the thought of seeing these people punches my conscience. I have lived a better life than them. I should consider myself lucky, yet there are times when I don’t. These are the times when you get to reflect, and be grateful that there are people who are passionately paying attention to them. And a thought came into me, there’s more to volunteering than preparing my future.

Luckily, I was able to come to another barangay last May 11. This time, it’s San Rafael. A small yet agriculturally-rich barangay I have never been into. Well that’s another advantage of being a volunteer; I get to go to places I haven’t gone before. Shame on me, I have traveled several places, but never explored my hometown. I have felt the same sentiments while roaming around their gymnasium. But I appreciated “City Hall sa Barangay” more in San Rafael. It’s a very distant barangay, but through the project, it was able to attend the needs of the residents as well as extend services the people might find hard to avail in normal circumstances.

Being a volunteer offered me opportunities I did not know could exist in my summer vacation. I have gone through many barangays of Tacurong City, I have met many people with the articles that I write, I have tried to be confident by letting other people read what I write, and I have gained knowledge in experience with the government’s projects such as “City Hall sa Barangay.”

“City Hall sa Barangay” is the best way to reach out to the constituents of Tacurong City. Its goal to bring the services of the city government closer and accessible to its people is a statement that this administration is more than sincere in providing the assistance the Tacurongnons deserve. Seeing city officials become visible in each barangay and engage conversations with its constituents is enough proof that the government should be for the people, more than anything else.

I might only have 35 days as a volunteer, but the things I have experienced and learned will remain for the rest of my life. This helped me mold my future, this made me a better Tacurongnon. And this made me see how the city government of Tacurong is willing to proffer its people public service, at its best. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)

Curtains fall on Talakudong Summer Sports Camp 2012

          (May 24, 2012) A celebratory programme hosted by the 601^st Infantry Brigade in coordination with the city government of Tacurong brought Talakudong Summer Sports Camp 2012 to a close this Tuesday at the 601^st Brigade’s new camp site in Brgy. Kalandagan, Tacurong City.

            After the 30-day sports camp which started on April 10, 2012, 628 trainees of various sports were finally declared as graduates by the City Mayor, Hon. Lina O. Montilla.

            The said sports and the breakdown of the total number of graduates are as follows:

                        Arnis                                                  39

                        Badminton                                        76

                        Dance Sports                                    70

                        Karate-Do                                         29

                        Sepak Takraw                                  35

                        Soccer                                                79

                        Softball/Baseball                             37

                        Table Tennis                                     30

                        Taekwondo                                       182 

                        Volleyball                                           51

            Hon. Montilla conveyed her gratitude with the enthusiasm of the children to join the sports camp instead of just staying in the comforts of their home during summer. Further, she mentioned that it is her will to continue provide the children an avenue like this where they can harness their skills and where the city government can discover new personalities who can represent the city to higher sports competitions.

            Being the host of the programme, the Brigade Commander of 601^st Brigade Philippine Army, Col. Edmundo R. Pangilinan as well mentioned his appreciation especially to the parents of the graduates for the support they have rendered their children.

            And to make the ceremonies festive and interesting for everyone, through Col. Pangilinan’s initiative, the 601^st Brigade demonstrated a static display of their equipment and the activities they perform in the field. The Brigade also sponsored an obstacle race for the children and gave away prizes for the winners.

            Other agencies and institutions were also present in the programme. Noteworthy was the Rotary Club of Tacurong which donated Sports equipments for the city. The gift was presented by Past Assistant District Governor Erwin Anthony Garcia, President Noel Catudan, and Vice President Herter Indanao.

            Talakudong Sports Camp 2012 was funded by the city government of Tacurong, and was made possible by capable trainers of various sports headed by the City Sports Coordinator Clarencio “Kid” Cordero, who unselfishly offered their services for the development of the future athletes of the City of Tacurong. (Jessa Loreta Camangeg Billano)

Progression in Action: A Look at the Skills Training Program of Tacurong City (Feature)

I have lived nineteen years in this city.

            Nineteen years, and I have not known Tacurong better than this summer vacation. I was never amused, until I was introduced by the different projects and activities happening all over the city. Call me ignorant, I deserve it.

            The day before I started as a volunteer for the Trimedia Office, which was April 16, 2012, 137 skills trainees graduated and received TESDA certificates that will qualify them for business or employment of their chosen fields. Right then, I know I have to know what this program is all about.

            The implementation of skills training started long ago, and was under the program of Department of Social Welfare and Development (currently the City Social Welfare and Development Office). Serving as the channel of TESDA, this program aims to create opportunities for employment through enhancing people’s skills. Different trainings such as barber cutting, SMAW (shielded metal and welding), massage therapy, building wiring installation, horti-culture among others are being taught by eligible and qualified instructors.

            With funds from the Sangguniang Kabataan led by Albert Gulmatico, Legislative fund of the Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Livelihood Chairman, Hon. Rodrigo Jamorabon, and the local government unit of the City, skills trainings are continually supported. True to its responsibility to serve the people, skills trainings are offered to out-of-school youth, less-privileged citizens, unemployed residents, and graduates who aim to work overseas as skilled workers – for free.

            “The LGU did not spend money in your training, but invested it in you, in your future.” With this message from Hon. Jamorabon, I saw a vision. Not only this project serves the welfare of the city’s economy and trade, it gets people involved through self-development and hardwork. Some of the matters taught during skills trainings include values inculcation, personal hygiene, work ethics, marketing, and cost analysis. A proof that the training is more than objective learning, it also gives a hint of upright demeanor to be applied in their future jobs.

            Now, maybe you get to ask how productive this project has become. In my interview with Josephine M. Ubaldo, Project Evaluation Officer I of CSWD and Community Training and Employment Coordinator (CTEC) of TESDA, many success stories have been derived from the skills training program of the city.

            A group of massage therapists organized the “Tacurong Massage Therapy Clinic” in June 2011, and is located in Brgy. Poblacion. The government provided livelihood assistance of 100,000 for the group in order to pursue the business and apply their massage skills. A welders’ association in Brgy. San Emmanuel was given a fund amounting to 30,000 from the LGU to kick-off its own livelihood as well. Other groups as hut makers and Samahan ng mga Biyuda were supported by the government to establish their own living and businesses. With the continued conduct of the program, surely, more groups and associations will rise and give hope to more lives.

Reaping the fruit of hard work

            Skills training did not only produce successful groups, but successful individuals as well. Mary Grace Sol, a graduate of skills training in massage therapy and housekeeping last 2010 – both as NC II passer, believes that what she learned in skills trainings became a great help in her professional and personal journey.

            Mary Grace took many jobs before she decided to participate in skills training. She finished a 2-year course in Hotel & Restaurant Services, but she felt she needed a new thing to do – and it brought her to learn massage therapy. “At first, it felt very tiring. But it’s fun,” she said. She even thought of quitting, but she said she could not get away with it. Her body came looking for it.

            When I asked her what developments she found within herself after the training, she answered me with no doubt, “Confidence. Before, I do not socialize with anybody. Now, I have learned to mingle with different types of people.. specially with customers. My skills training in massage therapy have taught me to engage and communicate since it is part of our duty.”

            This coming June, she is set to fly to Singapore with great hope to use what she learned in skills training. Not only to be successful, but to serve through what skills training served her.

            More than a vision, there is a chance. A chance to help more Tacurongnons by opening gates of opportunities that will enhance people’s lives. A chance to live a good future. A chance to improve subsistence and little by little, eradicate poverty.

This is what everybody would want to happen, but more importantly, there are people who are willing to make it happen.

Expanding employment opportunities

Aside from the TESDA and CTEC, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) together with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is one in paving opportunities for these skills training graduates.

PESO aims to carry out full employment and parity of career opportunities for all, in order to reinforce and inflate the existing employment facilitation service machinery of the administration. While CTEC facilitates the provision of skills trainings, PESO offers employment programs that can be availed by skilled jobseekers.

            The implementation of Skills Registry System (SRS) is one of their means to help aspiring employees. It involves survey of skilled workers in the labor market, and then the gathered data will be uploaded on the official government site for Philippine jobs, Phil-JobNet.

            Through this website, employers can seek jobseekers that are fit for what they are looking for – with complete information and credentials. Today, PESO reaches out to barangays to have easy access on job vacancies and gain living. The office also envisions to gather more skilled workers to open more opportunities for Tacurongnons.

The skills training program isn’t perfect, maybe not for now. Ma’am Ubaldo explained that maybe someday a center would be created for these trainings – to accommodate more participants and create a conducive environment for learning. Meanwhile, Mary Grace mentioned that offering other skills trainings as baking and pastry would also help more people achieve a better living.

The City Government did not overlook these concerns. Mayor Lina Montilla, in her speech during the skills training graduation, said that an allocation fund of one million pesos will be provided for the skills training, for the constituents of Tacurong.

And I never stopped getting so amused. I did not only witness projects and activities, I witnessed unity, development, and public service.

I have lived nineteen years in this city. And I wish to live more years in my City of Goodwill – the City that remained true to its people and to its promise.

Dynamic. Progressive. Life is great in Tacurong. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)

SPES beneficiaries conclude 20 working days through culminating activity

           (May 22, 2012) This year’s Special Program for Employment of Students finished off through a culminating activity conducted last May 18, 2012 at Orion Garden Resort. Over a hundred SPES grantees attended the conclusion of the summer program of LGU-Tacurong.

            During the opening program, two SPES beneficiaries delivered their testimonials namely Jayson Antonino and Darvin Angelo Policarpio. Both of these grantees are graduating college students this incoming school year. They expressed their warmest thanks to the city government for the opportunity they have received – financially, socially, and mentally. Aside from Antonino and Policarpio, five other SPES beneficiaries are graduating on the school year 2012 – 2013.

Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla was present in the program, showing her full support on today’s youth. In her message, she stated her gratefulness to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as well as the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for taking charge in giving employment opportunities to deserving students. Furthermore, she said, “I hope we continue changing the lives of our people, one employment at a time.”

Mr. Domingo Baron from DOLE SK Field Office, Hon. Rodrigo Jamorabon, Hon. Joselito Cajandig Sr., Brgy. Captain of New Carmen Welson Ferrer, and former ABC President Dubert Victorio were also in attendance.

            PESO Manager Designate Mr. Allan Freno mentioned in his message to the grantees that a possible increase in salary will be offered in the next SPES program on 2013.

            Succeeding activities for the SPES culminating activity included several parlor games, and a modeling competition named Mr. and Ms. SPESterrific 2012. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)

Tacurong City takes part in Provincial-wide Clean-up Drive

             (May 8, 2012) Together with the municipalities all over Sultan Kudarat, Tacurong City conducted the Provincial-wide Clean-up Drive last May 7, 2012. More than 100 SPES grantees from the Local Government Unit of Tacurong, Southern Mindanao Institute of Technology (SMIT), and Notre Dame of Tacurong College (NDTC) participated in the said project.

            Assigned areas for the clean-up drive were the public market and the city streets of Tacurong. Participants swept, trimmed the grasses, and accumulated garbage from 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning. This clean-up drive was in coordination with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), who collected the wastes for proper disposal after the cleaning.

            One of the SPES grantees from LGU-Tacurong, Reny Leen Matta, said, “As a SPES beneficiary and as a Tacurongnon, I realized that I have a great obligation and responsibility in terms of making our city clean and beautiful. Even though it can only be considered as a little help, I know that it already means a lot.”

            The Provincial-wide Clean-up Drive is not a part of the regular programs of SPES. This was incorporated during the employment period of the grantees to raise environmental awareness and protection among youth, as well as to help the City Government in their advocacy to make the environment clean and green. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)

Mayor Montilla awarded scholarship to Singapore executive programme

(May 3, 2012) Mayor Lina O. Montilla was awarded a scholarship to attend the 2^nd run of the Temasek Foundation Water Leadership Programme on April 23-May 4 at the National University of Singapore.
.

 

The two-week Executive Programme was structured by the Temasek Foundation, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and Public Utilities Board, Singapore’s national water agency.

These organizing institutions selected distinguished teams of academics and policymakers from all over Asia who would benefit from the programme, who are committed in devising innovative thinking to address a critical health sustainability issue that is currently hampering Asia’s progress: “the growing water and sanitation needs of 3.7 billion people.”

Having passed a couple of assessments and interviews, Mayor Montilla, together with the other members of the Philippine Team obtained full tuition expenses and hotel accommodation from the programme. Lunch, tea breaks and transportation were also provided for them.

The Philippine Team was composed of the following personalities:

1.       HON. LINA O. MONTILLA, City Mayor of Tacurong City

2.      Engr. Arn B. Gellangarin, GM, GSC Water District

3.      Engr. Andresito J. Degilla, GM, Polomolok Water District

4.      Prof. Faustino Jerome Babate from General Santos City

5.      Prof. Ma. Adela A. Fiesta from Cotabato City

6.      Mr. Ferdinand Ferrer, Division Mngr., GSC Water District

Other countries also eligible for the scholarship were Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and China.

The programme was designed for water leaders coming from Asia where increasing water and sanitation demands are currently becoming a challenge. To abet these leaders, the programme exposed them to the best practices in water utilities governance, practical guidance on managing water utilities effectively, and potential strategies to deal with existing and future challenges in their respective countries and localities.

For a convenient and effective learning, the programme was conducted in a state-of-the-art classroom setting with the use of a combination of lectures, case studies and panel discussions among practitioners. The teams also had the opportunity to go on site visits, which immersed them in the real scenario on how Singapore has dealt with challenges on its water resource management. 

Mayor Montilla, along with the other members of the Philippine team, is expected to come home with advanced and improved knowledge on water resource management that would benefit not just the local government of Tacurong but the entire country as a whole. (Jessa Billano)

SPES grantees participate in Labor Day celebration

            (May 2, 2012) SPES grantees from the local government unit of Tacurong together with other delegations take part in the celebration of Labor Cum SPES Day on May 1, 2012.

            The SPES Day began with a parade of the SPES delegates from different places and schools of the province including Lambayong, President Quirino, Isulan, Bagumbayan, Provincial Capitol, Southern Mindanao Institute of Techonology (SMIT), Notre Dame of Tacurong College (NDTC) among many others. SPES grantees from Notre Dame Diocesan Schools, Quezon Colleges of Southern Philippines, Kings College also joined the whole-day event. SPES grantees of Kimsan Plaza and Tacurong Fit Mart were also present. This was followed by a mass in the NDTC Gymnasium, also the venue for this year’s SPES Day.

In line with PESO’s objective to encourage greening activities for SPES beneficiaries, a tree planting activity was conducted along the national highway of Barangay Griño, Tacurong City. SPES representatives from all over the province were sent in the location to plant 100 seedlings of fire trees.

A blood-letting activity in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross, Tacurong City Chapter was also part of the celebration of SPES Cum Day. A number of SPES beneficiaries from the different provinces donated blood for the organization.

LGU Tacurong earned awards in the two highlighted competitions of the event, the yelling competition and the popdance competition, where they both placed third. SPES delegates from President Quirino, Isulan, and SK Capitol brought home awards from the said competitions as well.

Other activities such as “Larong Pinoy,” dance showdowns, and intermission numbers from the delegates were also participated by the SPES grantees, making the whole day activity complete.

DOLE Assistant Regional Director for Region XII, Yahya A. Senti, delivered the Labor Day message and said that he hopes the SPES scholars would become good leaders of the community and the country in the future. Senti also hyped the event by doing a song number and reaching out to the SPES grantees himself.

SPES Day was made possible through Department of Labor and Employment together with the Public Employment Service Offices in the Province of Sultan Kudarat. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)