LGU unveils GAD Code replica

Mayor Lina O. Montilla and Hon. Psyche Sucaldito with representatives of various women organizations in the city unveiled the City’s Gender and Development (GAD) Code replica during the City’s Women’s Month Celebration on March 22, 2013.

Hon. Sucaldito authored the GAD Code which is ‘a local legislation that spells out the City’s Government’s objective in safeguarding women from gender disparities, inequities that deprive them of equal opportunities to enjoy rights and fundamental freedom.’ Public and private agencies will be provided with handbooks of the GAD Code.

After the unveiling, Mayor Montilla inducted the officers of the newly-created Local Women Development Council (LWDC). LWDC officers and members are heads and representatives of various women organizations in the city.

The Purple Walk and Hataw (mass exercise) was conducted before the program, uniting 24 women organizations and public and private agencies in the city. The LGU also offered free medical and dental check-up for women throughout the day.

This year’s Women’s Month Celebration is themed Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU.Information)

Tacurong strengthens City Documentation Team

Twenty-five LGU-Tacurong employees participated in the Echo Seminar on the Documentation and Replication of LGU Best/Exemplary Practices on March 20-21, 2013 in Edjin Pension House, Tacurong City.

After the seminar, the participants are expected to come up with reference documents of their respective offices’ best practices. As official members of the City Documentation Committee, they are to help in properly documenting LGU activities, especially those sponsored by their departments.

The seminar was facilitated by the core members of the City Documentation Committee who attended the same seminar conducted by the Philippine Association of Records Officers and Archivists (PAROA) on Feb. 12-14, 2013 in Davao City.The were assisted by the CHRMO training staff.

“I hope that proper documentation will also be one of our exemplary practices in the LGU, in addition to our existing best practices,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla during the seminar’s opening. Mayor Montilla emphasized how proper documentation was one of the reasons why the City was able to receive awards and recognitions in the past years. The City was recently awarded by the DILG as National Finalist of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Awards.

The Tacurong City Documentation Committee was created through Executive Order No. 7 Series of 2013.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information)

MSEACs to help SUKELCO in info advocacy

Multi-Sectoral Electrification Advisory Councils (MSEAC) of Tacurong City, Lambayong, Isulan, Columbio, and Pres. Quirino committed to help the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SUKELCO) in its information advocacies during the MSEAC first quarterly meeting on March 19, Edjin Pension House, Tacurong City.

“MSEAC-Tacurong members guarantee SUKELCO that we will be active in sharing information about the current power situation and other issues concerning the welfare of member-consumers,” said MSEAC-Tacurong Chairperson and Transport Sector Representative Rogelio Villaraiz.

MSEAC-Tacurong Chairperson Villaraiz expresses the council's support to SUKELCO's information advocacy.

Each MSEAC is composed of representatives from the education, women, senior citizen, media, local government unit, barangay, youth, religious, and agro-fishery sectors in each municipality/city.
The meeting, facilitated by SUKELCO, aimed to update MSEACs on the power supply outlook of Mindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

Presently, SUKELCO is only able to distribute approximately 17 MW electricity to all its member-consumers in Sultan Kudarat, Datu Paglas and Buluan—12.21 MW of which is supplied by NPC-PSALM while the remaining 5 MW supply is from Therma Marine. This 17 MW-supply definitely could not suffice the 24 MW-demand of the areas covered by SUKELCO. This situation, according to SUKELCO Senior Business Strategist Engr. Jomar Sevillano, may worsen in the months of April-June.

SUKELCO Senior Business Strategist Sevillano presented the 2013 scenario of SUKELCO's supply and demand

Given this situation, SUKELCO devised a load curtailment scheme, popularly known as ‘rotational brownout schedule’. Daily schedules are uploaded on www.sukelco.com.ph and on SUKELCO Facebook Fanpage. Load curtailment schedule for a day may only be posted on the same day since NPC-PSALM and Therma Marine’s supply advisories are received from 10AM-5PM of the previous day.

NPC-PSALM, SUKELCO’s power source, was able to supply 22 mega watts (MW) annually from 2009 to 2011. However, due to privatization, this supply was reduced by 25% in 2012.



by Jezereel C. Billano (LGU-Information)

Tacurong’s Sucaldito among The Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines

The Junior Chamber International Philippines (Philippine Jaycees) with the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and the Office of Sen. Edgardo J. Angara recognized Tacurong City Councilor Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito as one of The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) for year 2012.

Sucaldito, along with 9 other awardees, received a trophy and cash incentive worth P1.5 million pesos during the TOCP awarding ceremonies on March 7, 2013, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Sucaldito is Tacurong’s no. 1 elected city councilor during the 2010 elections. She is known for pioneering environmental activities in the city. One of these is the Limpyo Kalog (Linis Kanal) which gathers all sectors in the community to clean and desilt canals and drainages to prevent flooding in the city. She also authored the Integrated Solid Waste Management Ordinance and the landmark 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan of the City.

For the present three-year term, she authored the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Ordinance;  Ordinance Prohibiting the Nailing, Posting, and Hanging of Streamers, Posters,    Banners, Political Ads, and Other Advertising Materials on Trees;  Ordinance Declaring May 19 of Every Year as Blood Donors’ Day; Ordinance Providing Guidelines for the Increase of Monthly Honorarium of Day Care Workers; Ordinance Regulating Smoking in Public Places and Prohibiting Smoking for Minors; and Ordinance Enacting the Gender and Development Code of the City.

According to the TOCP award citation, Hon. Sucaldito’s ‘remarkable achievements and sterling track record coupled with her talent, dedication, and sincere passion to serve the people of the City of Tacurong are clear indicators of her competence as a legislator and leader of impeccable integrity.’

“My accomplishments are products, not only of my own hard work, but of cooperation and unity of the officials, employees, and the people of Tacurong,” said Sucaldito. “I assure Tacurongnons that this recognition will benefit them through a project that will be funded through the P1.5 million cash incentive I received,” she added.

TOCP was conceptualized to recognize excellence in legislation output and participation in the conduct of local government programs and projects. The award is now on its 3rd year of implementation.
This year’s TOCP was divided into two categories: Municipal Category with 6 winners (2 from Luzon, 2 from the Visayas, and 2 from Mindanao); and City Category with 4 winners (1-NCR, 1-Luzon, 1-Visayas, 1-Mindanao).

Jezereel Louise C. Billano-LGU Information

GSIS increases minimum pension from P3,000 to P5,000

All old-age and disability pensioners of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) who were receiving less than P5,000 is now receiving the new monthly minimum pension of P5,000, according to GSIS Trustee Mario J. Aguja during a forum on GSIS Reforms and Initiatives on March 11, 2013 in Gen. Santos City.

Trustee Aguja answers participants' queries on GSIS services.

Among the information officers and media practitioners in attendance, Aguja stressed that this is only one among the many initiatives undertaken by the new GSIS Board with their commitment for a ‘more Aside from the increased pension, GSIS also revoked the personal appearance requirement for pensioners.

Instead, they now partner with the National Statistics Office to determine status of members.
To make services more accessible, GSIS is deploying 500 additional GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) Kiosks in the country.

Survivorship pensioners who were previously denied of their benefits because of gainful employment (earning P7,575 equivalent to Salary Grade 1, Step 1) can now receive monthly pension. According to Aguja, more than 6,000 surviving spouses whose pensions have been stopped since August 2009 benefitted from the new survivorship policy.

Moreover, interest rate on emergency loans was reduced to 6%, service fee was waived, and grace period for payment of the first amortization was extended to three months.  

Other initiatives include: renewed partnership with LandBank as additional service bank; relaxed the policy on the 4-year prescription period for survivorship benefit; revived the payment of proportionate pension; rationalized the home lending program; enhanced scholarship program; increased minimum pension to P5,000; settlement of claims of Paz Memorial plan holders; etc.

The new GSIS Board also proposes for the amendment of R.A. 8291 or the GSIS Act of 1997 to allow single members to designate beneficiary before age 50; remove remarriage and cohabitation as basis for cancellation of survivorship benefits; give members option to continue membership beyond age 65; provide members with an option to claim separation benefit before age 60; increase funeral benefit from P20,000 to P30,000; and for provision on members' rights.

“We are also actively conducting pre-retirement counseling seminars to assist members in computing lump-sum and pensions, modes of retirement, and even investment possibilities” said GSIS Gen. Santos Manager Deity Manampan.

GSIS Dialogues are being conducted nationwide to disseminate information on the agency’s new reforms. GSIS now has at least 1.7 million members across the country.

Jezereel C. Billano

30 groups join LGU in Limpyo Kalog 2013

Thirty groups coming from various sectors in the City of Tacurong put on working clothes on March 2 and join the city hall officials and employees in the Limpyo Kalog 2013.

Limpyo Kalog, a Hiligaynon term for cleaning of drainage canals, is a regular campaign of the city government aimed at ridding the waterways of wastes and other obstructions that could cause flooding especially during heavy rains. Regular cleanup of canals also eliminates breeding ground of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Limpyo Kalog is a brainchild of Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Environment Chairperson Psyche Sucaldito that was started on October 10, 2010 or 10.10.10 when the city joined the nation in conducting activities aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.

Since 2010, more groups had been encouraged every year to join the huge number of people lining up along the roads busying themselves desilting canals, weeding out grasses, and raking dried leaves.

Participants in this latest cleanup drive included the academic institutions like Notre Dame of Tacurong College, Sultan Kudarat State University, Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution, Department of Education-Sultan Kudarat Division Office, and City Schools Division.

The Philippine Army (601st Brigade, Task force Talakudong, Army Reserve Command & 33rd Infantry Battalion), Tacurong PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Barangay Tanods, Search and Rescue Tam, and the Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance Agents also sent their workforce.

National line agencies like National Statistics Office, Department of Interior and Local Government, Telecommunications Office, and National Food Authority also have their share of areas to be cleaned.

Sultan Kudarat Water District and Philippine Postal Corporation were the Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations that participated in the Limpyo Kalog.

Non-Government Organization (Philippine Red Cross, Rotary Club of Tacurong, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative) and business groups (LBC, Sultan Kudarat Telephone System, Inc., Lee Kay Kee & Sons, NOVO, Siy Cha Hardware) also joined the cleanup drive.

Mayor Lina Montilla, who led the officials and employees in cleaning the city’s canals, was happy seeing different sectors of the community participating in the endeavor. “It’s inspiring to see that more groups are joining us each time we conduct this activity”, the Mayor Montilla said. (Allan Freno)

NDCP grad students visit Tacurong

Sixteen students of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) under its Master in National Security Administration program and Tacurong City officials discussed salient points on the City’s planning and development strategies, policies, and best practices on March 7, 2013.  

  

Hon. Benjamin Fajardo and Hon. Rodrigo Jamorabon, along with heads of offices and local PNP representative, answered the students’ queries and provided a brief background on the city’s innovations in terms of social, economic, and administrative governance.

Specifically, students raised concerns and even recommendations on public safety measures, industrialization and livelihood, gender and development, and other development policies. Visitors also lauded the City for its awards and recognitions in good governance. 

“We are grateful that we are able to have healthy dialogues with people from outside, helping us re-evaluate and strengthen our existing measures,” said Hon. Fajardo.   

       

The group, which was composed of senior military and police officers, government officials, and private sector leaders, visited the City as part of their Sub-National Security and Development Studies (SSDS). 

SSDS is said to provide students with opportunity to apply theoretical concepts of national security. It also aims to assist local governments in objectively evaluating current economic, socio-cultural, political, peace and order, and environmental situations and their impact on sub-national development and national security. Tacurong is part of their SSDS seven-day itinerary which also includes visits in several towns in Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

“We look forward that we will still be considered by NDCP for another SSDS visit,” said Hon. Jamorabon. (Jezereel Billano)

Candidates in Tacurong sign covenant for peaceful election

Twenty-seven candidates vying for various local posts in Tacurong pledged their commitment for a peaceful election by signing a peace covenant on March 2, 2013.

Tacurong City Election Office, Tacurong City PNP and 601^st Army Brigade initiated the activity in partnership with Rotary Club of Tacurong.

Prior to the covenant signing, the candidates joined in the Walk for Peace around the city proper at around 5 o’clock in the morning. They were joined by the members of organizing groups and other sectors such as the religious and business sectors, academe, and even the bikers.

Out of the 35 candidates, only eight did not join the Walk for peace and covenant signing. For mayoralty candidates, incumbent Mayor Lina Montilla of Liberal Party and Retired General Jerry Jalandoni of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) attended the event. Independent Mayoralty Candidate Ralen Bernardo did not arrive. Most of the candidates for city vice mayors and councilors also joined in the activity.

City Election Officer Reginald Abad led the reading of the pledge of commitment to the peace covenant together with all the candidates present. Covenant signing followed afterwards.

In his message, Abad urged all candidates to abide by the rules stipulated in the Omnibus
Election Code. He also reminded them to strictly focus on presenting their platforms of government to the electorate and refrain from attacking their political opponents during campaign period.

Sultan Kudarat Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Rolen Balquin and 601^st Army Brigade Commander Colonel Edmundo Pangilinan also voiced their message to the candidates emphasizing on the candidates’ cooperation in maintaining peace and order within the city in the duration of the election period.

Moreover, Tacurong’s Chief of Police Superintendent Junny Buenacosa said that the candidates’ participation to the Walk for Peace and covenant signing was a step in attaining the goal for honest and peaceful election.

Rotary Club of Tacurong appreciated the effort of the Comelec, PNP and AFP in initiating the activity. Rotary’s President Miguel Lopez said that the enthusiasm showed by the candidates while the whole activity was being conducted manifested their commitment to support the peace covenant. (LGU Tacurong City; Allan Freno)

Tacurong-BFP holds 1st Fire Olympics

In observance of March as Fire Prevention Month, Tacurong Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted the 1st Fire Olympics in the City on March 1, 2013 at the City Hall Grounds.

One hundred forty (140) barangay fire volunteers from the City’s 20 barangays participated in the said event. Participants of each barangay competed in putting out fire with the shortest time and most efficient demonstration of skills using a 5-hose connection.

 Brgy. Griño topped the competition that was judged by fire officers from Tacurong BFP and Sultan Kudarat BFP. Brgys. New Lagao and Buenaflor were adjudged 2nd and 3rd placers.

Barangay fire volunteers were trained by BFP on basic fire skills and on organizing their barangay volunteer brigade.

Aside from the Fire Olympics, BFP also conducted a Walk for a Fire-Free Nation on the same day. Fire officers and LGU employees walked around town to facilitate awareness among the public.

“I am very glad that BFP is very visible in our city. I hope that you will carry on in innovating ways to safeguard our people,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla during the program that followed the walk.

The activities were led by City Caretaker Insp. Marjorie Jenna A. Agabao-Resurreccion. Fire Prevention Month 2013 is themed Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-Unlad ng Bayan.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano