LGU to allocate P800 thousand peso-budget for SPES 2014

Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla signified her commitment to allocate PhP800,000.00 for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) come summer of year 2014.

LGU-Tacurong SPES grantees were happy to hear such good news during their 2013 culmination program on May 30, 2013 in Monte Vicenteau Resort, New Passi, Tacurong City.

“If we stick to the regular budget for SPES, which is Php400,000.00 per year , 186 new SPES grantees will surely not be absorbed next year unless they take and  pass another qualifying exam,” said the Mayor.

In the past years, SPES budget allocation only amounted to PhP400,000.00 which can only accommodate 150 grantees. However, this year, 2013, the SP Committee on Finance approved additional Php400,000.00 thereby increasing the budget to Php800,000.00. Subsequently, this resulted to an increased number of students hired for LGU employment this summer of 2013. Currently, LGU-Tacurong has a total of 270 SPES grantees—the largest number of grantees in LGUs in the province of Sultan Kudarat.

“We increased the budget because I have seen how SPES helps the LGU in its operations and also how this program helps augment financial needs of underprivileged students,” said Mayor Montilla.

“Through time, I realized that SPES is not just about salary. It’s an opportunity for all of us to prove ourselves and our potentials despite of who we are and what we have,” said SPES grantee John Michael Lancita.

SPES is a program implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment in partnership with local government units, national government agencies, and private institutions. 

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information)

Tacurong City SPES celebrates Summer Saya Fest 2013

LGU-Tacurong Summer Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) grantees held a culmination activity dubbed as Summer Saya Fest 2013 at Monte Vicenteau Resort, Brgy. New Passi, Tacurong City on May 30, 2013. The said activity is conducted every summer towards the end of a month-long summer job program of the LGU-Tacurong City in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

SPES beneficiaries and LGU-PESO staff enjoyed a variety of fun games and activities such as i-Dawn Zulueta mo ako, eat what you got, duck walk, and a lot more.

City Mayor Lina O. Montilla, City Councilors Ariel Dela Cruz, Lino Ledda, Cirilo Flores and Psyche Sucaldito, DOLE Field Office Senior Labor Employment Officer Domingo Baron graced the activity.

For summer 2013, LGU-Tacurong had a total number of 270 SPES grantees, thirty of them graduated during the culmination. The said grantees were awarded with certificates of completion since they had already served through SPES for four years.

SPES graduate Lemuel Bravante shared how the program allowed him to acquire important values: “I believe it is with love that we were able to work effectively. If we love what we do, we are patient and efficient.”

Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla expressed her support to the program by committing Php 800,000.00 budget for 2014.

LGU and DOle officials award certificates of completion to SPES graduates.

SPES grantees enjoy the games during their Summer Saya Festival

 “This program is worth our commitment and support because it supports underprivileged students to pursue their education,” said Mayor Montilla.

SPES is a flagship program of DOLE.

Smilee Joy Sonza (SPES-Tacurong)

TACEA to pass 2 new resolutions on member benefits

Members of the Tacurong City Employees Association (TACEA) agreed to pass a resolution on the creation of an in-house medical program and another resolution for the increase of the city government’s share on members’ PAG-IBIG contribution.

The said consensus was made during the TACEA General Assembly on May 31, 2013 at the City Gymnasium.

Once approved, the said resolutions will be an addition to the other resolutions passed by the current officers headed by TACEA President Amelia A. Bochorno who took office in June 2011. The two earlier resolutions were: 1) a resolution conferring honorary membership to City elected and appointed officials, and 2) a resolution exempting TACEA members with Job Order status in paying the mandatory contribution for retiring employees and to oblige them to pay 50% of the mandatory mortuary assistance for demised TACEAns. 

The said assembly also allowed association officers and members to revisit TACEA policies and programs. In 2012, TACEA officers reviewed and amended the welfare program policies on mortuary, medical, retirement benefits, and calamity assistance. The amended policies are reflected on the newly published TACEA Manual of Operations.

Ms. Bochorno further reported the association’s accomplishments that include conduct of Kantahan ng Kabataan, LIPS XIV Sports Fest and Socio-Cultural Contest, LGU Christmas Party, Christmas Gift-Giving to indigents and inmates, and TACEA Strategic Planning; participation in LGU Women’s Month Celebration; 11^th Public Sector Employees Alliance of SOCSKSARGEN (PSEAS)  Socio-cultural contest, 7^th PSEAS Sports Fest, LGU orientation for new entrants, 1^stPIPSEA National Executive Board Conference, Basic Educators Training sponsored by the Labor Education and Research Network and PIPSEA. 

A forum on the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) was also facilitated by TACEA on the same day. GSIS Trustee Mario J. Aguja updated TACEA members on GSIS reforms such as increased minimum pension, enhancement of survivorship benefits, implementation of Educational Assistance Fund Program, among others. For more information on GSIS reforms, please visit www.gsis.gov.ph.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information)

I am now more trustworthy and fulfilled—C4TP graduate

Rowena Bermudo, 27, had been an ambulant food vendor since her late teens. After spending just a month in college as a Hotel and Restaurant Management student in Iloilo, she was forced to return to Tacurong to be her family’s bread-winner. She had to stop her studies when her mother got seriously ill.

Weng, as she is fondly called by her customers, is very persistent in doing business. She sells her food items in government offices, battling the heat and even rain during weekdays. “Napatapos ko ang manghud ko sa pag eskwela tungod diri sa pagbaligya-baligya ko,” she proudly said.

Determined as she is to provide for her family, she joined the Cash for Training Program of DSWD, TESDA, and LGU in February 2013 along with other out-of-school youth in Tacurong. Weng is one of the 19 trainees of C4TP’s Commercial Cooking (National Certificate Level II or NCII) course. At the same time, 21 youths were trained for Housekeeping NCII course.

Tacurong C4TP scholars, like Weng, were identified by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD). Each scholar received assistance amounting to PhP20,000. This amount included tuition/training fee, allowance, etc. The courses were facilitated by Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution or SKEI.

Weng and her classmates underwent 463 hours of training. Managing her time for training and work may seem difficult but Weng never thought of dropping out especially when she realized the positive effect of C4TP on her trade.

“May bag-o ako nga knowledge kag ideas, pareha sang mga garnish kag iban pa nga nagamit ko sa pagluto kag pagbaligya ko,” she said.

After their training, Weng and other C4TP scholars passed the national assessment for NCII. They finally graduated on May 20, 2013.

The newly-graduated Weng claims that she feels fulfilled with this new accomplishment in her life. “Daku guid ni nga tabang sa akon. Una, may knowledge na ako, may bag-o nga ideas kag mas nagtiwala ang mga customers ko sa akon kay tinapusan ko ini,” she said beaming. “Na-proud man ako sa sarili ko..may fulfillment,” she added.

            Commercial cooking graduates were provided with P6,000.00-worth of new cooking utensils while housekeeping graduates received the second wave of their allowance worth P7,000.00.

Weng said that she plans to continue selling food items in offices. And, she will soon establish a small ‘carenderia’ in front of her home with her newly-acquired skills, new tools, and with a little bit more of self-esteem.

Jezereel Billano (LGU Information)

Tacurong City commemorates IACM

With the theme “In Solidarity”, the City Government of Tacurong commemorated the 30^thInternational AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM) during its Monday flag ceremony on May 20, 2013.

            Marlow Buenacosa, head of the City Environmental Health and Sanitation Section (CEHSS) spearheaded the short program which included the candle-lighting ceremony and a prayer for individuals and families affected by HIV-AIDS.

            The Social Hygiene Clinic and Wellness Center under of the CEHSS supports the aim of the government to minimize and stop the fast- range cases of the HIV- AIDS particularly in the city. CEHSS conduct information and education campaign to increase citizens’ awareness on the disease. Health workers facilitate lectures and forum on AIDS during Food Handlers Classes and post information materials in various places in the city. CEHSS also conduct regular vaginal smearing for sex workers and weekly pre-marriage counseling to minimize sexually-transmitted diseases.

As of March 2013, 370 new cases of HIV-AIDS were confirmed in the country. This number is 18% higher than the reported cases in 2012 making the Philippines one of the nine countries with the fastest acceleration of HIV cases. As of March 2013, 60 cases of HIV-AIDS were recorded in Region XII.

            The Philippine memorial of the global awareness day was actually on May 19 (Sunday) and is initiated by the Philippine National AIDS Council. IACM began in 1983 and it is one of the world’s oldest campaign programs for HIV Awareness.

Lemuel Bravante

Out-of-school youths obtain NC II

Forty out-of-school youths (OSYs) of the City of Tacurong under the Cash for Training Program (C4TP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) passed the assessment for Commercial Cooking-National Certificate Level II (NC II) and Housekeeping-NC II.

Of the 40 OSYs, 21 were trained on Housekeeping NCII while 19 were trained on Commercial Cooking NCII. They were conferred as graduates of the C4TP on May 20, 2013.

The Housekeeping course is under C4TP’s wage-employment (trabaho) component, while Commercial Cooking is under the project’s self-employment (hanapbuhay) component. Each graduate received P20,000 assistance which included tuition/training fees, allowance, and cooking tool kits for those who chose the self-employment component. Each tool kit received by a graduate is worth P6,000.00.

DSWD partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the City Government of Tacurong in conducting the said training for the city’s youth. The graduates were trained for 436 hours by the Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution (SKEI), a TESDA-accredited school in the city.

TESDA Regional Director Zeus Ampuyas and TESDA OIC-Provincial Director Reynaldo Bernal personally congratulated the graduates. They also expressed their intent to work with the City Government of Tacurong for more programs that will empower disadvantaged youths and unemployed individuals.

“Indi guid ninyo pagsayangon ang chance nga ini..nga ginatabangan ta sang TESDA kag DSWD. Also, you are rest assured that blessings like this will keep coming in the city,” said Mayor Lina Montilla. A 5-million livelihood program will soon be implemented in the city, with other towns to also benefit. Mayor Montilla also thanked the City Social Welfare and Development Office for encouraging participants to pursue their courses.

Moreover, Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon posed a challenge to the graduates.  “Nalipay kami nga naka-graduate na kamo pero mas malipay  kami kung makita na namon kamo nga ginagamit ang mga natun-an nyo..I believe you will make a difference in your family..by then, we will know that the investment on each of you is really worth it.”

JezereelBillano (LGU Information)

Tacurong City commemorates IACM

With the theme “In Solidarity”, the City Government of Tacurong commemorated the 30^thInternational AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM) during its Monday flag ceremony on May 20, 2013.

Marlow Buenacosa, head of the City Environmental Health and Sanitation Section (CEHSS) spearheaded the short program which included the candle-lighting ceremony and a prayer for individuals and families affected by HIV-AIDS.

The Social Hygiene Clinic and Wellness Center under of the CEHSS supports the aim of the government to minimize and stop the fast- range cases of the HIV- AIDS particularly in the city. CEHSS conduct information and education campaign to increase citizens’ awareness on the disease. Health workers facilitate lectures and forum on AIDS during Food Handlers Classes and post information materials in various places in the city. CEHSS also conduct regular vaginal smearing for sex workers and weekly pre-marriage counseling to minimize sexually-transmitted diseases.

As of March 2013, 370 new cases of HIV-AIDS were confirmed in the country. This number is 18% higher than the reported cases in 2012 making the Philippines one of the nine countries with the fastest acceleration of HIV cases. Also as of March 2013, 60 cases of HIV-AIDS were recorded in Region XII.

The Philippine memorial of the global awareness day was actually on May 19 (Sunday) and is initiated by the Philippine National AIDS Council. IACM began in 1983 and it is one of the world’s oldest campaign programs for HIV Awareness.

Lemuel Bravante (SPES-Tacurong)

Newly-elected Tacurong City officials proclaimed

(May 15, 2013, 7:20 PM) The City Board of Canvassers (CBOC) for Tacurong proclaimed an hour ago the new set of elected officials of the City of Tacurong at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Conference Hall.

Incumbent Mayor Lina Montilla was re-elected for her second term after getting 22, 774 votes. She won by a landslide over her challengers Retired Army General Jerry Jalandoni who had 10, 120 votes and Atty. Ralen who had 940 votes.

Results from the official count of City Commission on Elections (COMELEC) showed Mayor Montilla of Liberal Party winning 64.49 percent of the total actual votes (35, 316) compared with 28.66 percent for Jalandoni of United Nationalist Alliance and 2.66 percent for Bernardo, an independent candidate.

The CBOC chaired by City Election Officer Reginald Abad also proclaimed former City Councilor Joseph George Lechonsito as the newly-elected Vice Mayor who had 22, 184 votes.

Ten elected councilors were also proclaimed. Re-electionist Councilor Psyche Sucaldito was the top vote-getter councilor with 20, 217 votes. Former Vice Mayor Charito Collado came in second with 17, 156 votes.

Seven re-electionist councilors claimed the third to ninth spots in the city council. They were Cirilo Flores (16, 720 votes), Paulino Ledda (16, 412 votes), Rodrigo Jamorabon (15, 737 votes), Benjamin Fajardo, Jr. (15, 499 votes), Ariel Ferdinand dela Cruz (14, 989 votes), Joselito Cajandig, Sr. (14, 359 votes), and Jose Remos Segura (14, 244 votes).

Former Barangay Chairperson Welson Ferrer is the newest member of the city council after clinching the tenth spot with 12, 833 votes.

The proclamation of the new set of city officials was delayed for a day because of the defective Compact Flash (CF) card of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) in one of the clustered precincts in Barangay Buenaflor. The Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) reportedly has to wait for a new CF card to be delivered from Manila in order to proceed with the feeding of ballots and transmission of results.

Out of the 46, 379 registered voters in Tacurong, COMELEC recorded 76.15 percent voters turnout. (Allan S. Freno)

LGU HR Strategic Plan takes shape

Thirty-one key players in the development and implementation of Strategic Human Resource Plan for the City Government of Tacurong who were identified through Administrative Order 01-2013 convened for a write-shop on May 8-9, 2013 in General Santos City.

Key players processed the results of the Job Analysis Survey conducted among employees of the city government. The said survey is part of the Competency Mapping, one of the major steps in formulating the agency’s HR Plan as mandated by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). HR competencies were also discussed.

The activity is part of the HR Plan development process based on CSC’s HR Strategic Plan Toolkit. The HR Strategic Plan is ‘aimed at capturing the people element of what an agency is hoping to achieve in the medium to long-term; ensuring that the agency has the right people in place; has the right mix of skills; employees display the right attitudes and behaviors; and are developed in the right way with enabling mechanisms and appropriate strategies. The major requisites in the development of the HR Plan are 1) Organizational Profile; 2) Agency Strategic Plan or Roadmap; and Key Players.

CSC-Sultan Kudarat Field Director Ma. Josefina Gepte-Buenbrazo and Supervising Personnel Specialist Evelyn C. Cortez facilitated the two-day write-shop.

CSC, being the central personnel agency of the government, requires government agencies to develop and implement the HR Strategic Plan. 

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information 

LGU agri office launches National Year of Rice

The LGU-Tacurong Office for the Agricultural Services (OAS) launched the National Year of Rice (NYR) campaign in the city on May 6, 2013.

As part of the launching, the NYR banner was raised by OAS with the help of department heads during the LGU's Monday flag-raising ceremony. NYR carries the theme 'Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas'.

Officials and employees of the City Government of Tacurong also pledged to save rice and support the national government’s advocacy for rice self-sufficiency through the recitation of the Panatang Makapalay (Save Rice, Save Lives Pledge).

According to City Agriculturist Ramon B. Losañes, the OAS will spearhead extension activities that will increase rice consumers’ awareness on the country's current scenario of rice production and consumption. OAS hopes that by facilitating awareness, they will get the support of the people.

“We want to inform all rice consumers that they can help our country achieve sufficiency. They can do simple things like, eating other staples aside from rice or cooking just enough rice for the family to reduce rice wastage in the household,” said Losañes.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, under Proclamation No. 494, proclaimed 2013 as National Year of Rice. Aside from the goal of achieving self-sufficiency, NYR aims to promote better health among rice consumers and increase farmer’s income. NYR was launched in November 2012 during PhilRice’s 27th anniversary. Nationwide caravans and rice awareness campaigns have been conducted since then.

Rice self-sufficiency is the country’s capability to sustain the demand of the populace for rice, without relying on importation.

For more information on NYR, visit www.nyr2013.com.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano

LGU agri office launches NYR

The LGU-Tacurong Office for the Agricultural Services (OAS) launched the National Year of Rice campaign in the city on May 6, 2013.

As part of the launching, the NYR banner was raised by OAS with the help of department heads during the LGU's Monday flag-raising ceremony. NYR carries the theme 'Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas'.

Officials and employees of the City Government of Tacurong also pledged to save rice and support the national government’s advocacy for rice self-sufficiency through the recitation of the Panatang Makapalay (Save Rice, Save Lives Pledge).

According to City Agriculturist Ramon B. Losañes, the OAS will spearhead extension activities that will increase rice consumers’ awareness on the country's current scenario of rice production and consumption. OAS hopes that by facilitating awareness, they will get the support of the people.

“We want to inform all rice consumers that they can help our country achieve sufficiency. They can do simple things like, eating other staples aside from rice or cooking just enough rice for the family to reduce rice wastage in the household,” said Losañes.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, under Proclamation No. 494, proclaimed 2013 as National Year of Rice. Aside from the goal of achieving self-sufficiency, NYR aims to promote better health among rice consumers and increase farmer’s income. NYR was launched in November 2012 during PhilRice’s 27th anniversary. Nationwide caravans and rice awareness campaigns have been conducted since then.

Rice self-sufficiency is the country’s capability to sustain the demand of the populace for rice, without relying on importation.

For more information on NYR, visit www.nyr2013.com.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano

DOLE, LGU-PESO hold Jobs Fair, Kasambahay Registration on Labor Day

DOLE-SK, in partnership with the LGU-Tacurong Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and Sultan Kudarat Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (SKTIPC) conducted a Jobs Fair and Kasambahay Registration on May 1, 2013 at the City Hall Grounds, Tacurong City.

Seven agencies laid out employment opportunities during the Fair: KCC Mall of Marbel; Kenram Industrial Development Inc.; Kimsan Plaza Inc.; SWANA Mercantile; Non-Stop Overseas Employment Corporation; MML Manpower Services; and MnM Manpower Services. Among the at most 80 jobseekers who registered for the Fair, 40 individuals were hired on the spot for local employment while 10 were hired for overseas employment.

SKTIPC conducted the Kasambahay Registration for individuals engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship. DOLE-SK and SKTIPC plans to organize kasambahays to facilitate awareness on their rights and privileges as stipulated in the newly-approved Kasambahay Law (R.A. 103611). The said Kasambahay Registration is a first in Region XII. The activity was able to register 36 kasambahays.

Labor Day is a holiday celebrated all over the world to recognize the social and economic contributions of workers. 2013 Philippine Labor Day is themed “Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon”.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information)

1,274 SPES grantees celebrate SK Labor Day

One thousand two hundred seventy-four (1,274) grantees of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) from all over Sultan Kudarat (SK) Province gathered for the annual Labor Day celebration on May 1, 2013 at the City Gymnasium, Tacurong City.

SPES delegations from 12 LGUs, schools, and agencies showcased their talent and teamwork through the Yelling Contest and Pop Dance Competition. LGU-Tacurong delegation won the gold in the Yelling Contest while SK Provincial Capitol delegation took home the gold for the pop dance competition.

SPES LGU-Tacurong during their winning performance for the Yelling Contest.

SK Provincial Capitol winning pop dance group

According to DOLE-SK headed by Provincial Director Arlene Bisnon, this gathering aims to facilitate healthy interaction among SPES grantees and boost each delegation’ team spirit. DOLE XII Regional Director Ofelia Domingo reminded the SPES grantees to maximize their summer jobs by learning new skills and important work ethics.

This annual gathering, which has been conducted for at least 5 years now, is the only SPES provincial gathering in Region XII. This year’s celebration is sponsored by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-SK in partnership with LGU-Tacurong. “The city government is very willing to work with DOLE in terms of empowering constituents with employment and livelihood opportunities,” said Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla.

The following are the participating LGUs, schools, and agencies with their corresponding number of SPES grantees: LGU-President Quirino (90); LGU-Lambayong (41); LGU-Tacurong (299); LGU-Isulan (200); SK Provincial Capitol (261); Quezon Colleges of Southern Philippines (17); Archdiocesan Notre Dame Schools of Cotabato (210); Notre Dame of Tacurong College (56); Southern Mindanao Institute of Technology (36); Tacurong Fit Mart (25); Kimsan Inc. (25); and Kenram Industrial Development Inc. (14). The delegations were accompanied by their respective Public Employment Service Office managers.

DOLE-SK and LGU-Tacurong with the Philippine Red Cross-SK also maximized the gathering by conducting a blood-letting activity. Twenty-six bags of blood were generated through the said activity.

DOLE’s SPES provides underprivileged youth/students with short-term employment to augment financial needs and to provide experience that will be useful as they enter the workforce.

A SPES grantee donates blood on Labor Day

Jezereel Louise Billano