When heroes rise

Heroism is selflessness. How do we, then, rid of ourselves?

On the 26th of August 2013, Filipinos remembered the fallen heroes of Philippine Revolution during the Spanish rule. Flowers were laid in monuments of the great Philippine heroes—those who used swords, guns, and pens to fight our way to freedom and independence.  Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Gabriela Silang, Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat were remembered. It is August 26; it is National Heroes Day.

However, somewhere in Central Mindanao, in a humble city called Tacurong, tributes were also given to the faceless heroes of our nation—doctors who serve in far-flung barrios, teachers, farmers, social workers, overseas Filipino workers, civil servants, public servants.

“The battle for freedom and independence against foreign oppressors have long been over. But we have still so much to fight for,” said Lt. Col. Joel Mamon, the guest speaker during the City Government of Tacurong’s Heroes Day celebration. With these battles he meant Filipinos’ fight against hunger and poverty, against graft and corruption, against lack of integrity in the service. With this, Lt. Col. Mamon could not help but mention the Million March happening in Quirino Grand Stand, Manila and in other provinces in the country on that very same day.

The Million March allowed people from different sectors to express, to meet and understand each other’s woes, to unite, to have a voice. The pork barrel system is only one side of the multi-faceted dimension of money and greed that exists not only in the government, but in other segments of society.

In this age, rising up takes more than courage. Conviction makes heroes rise. And when heroes rise, hope dawns. Hope makes all the difference in a seemingly confusing status quo. In this age, we do not need to shed blood to stand by our own convictions. Farmers plant rice and toil under the sun to provide for their families, and to provide for the country. Teachers, with their meager resources, make learning fun for pupils and students. People fearlessly and peacefully march to magnify the voices of the oppressed.

Indeed, battles do not end. The Filipino race continues to fight the good fight. Farmers, teachers, doctors, nurses, soldiers, civilians—the heroes of this age may or may not be acknowledged by history, but I believe they will continue to move, even invisibly for social good.

Every day, we give up a part of ourselves for service. Giving up a part of us, requires full conviction, requires our whole being to yield to our duty—to others and to God. And as we yield, we take our steps towards selflessness. Heroes are dignified because of honesty, compassion, and conviction.

It is National Heroes Day—a day for great and faceless heroes of the past and even of the present.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano

LGU Tacurong hosts PMA entrance exam

Two hundred and twenty aspiring cadets took the entrance examination of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) hosted by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong City on Sunday, August 25, 2013.

Applicants trooped to the city gymnasium as early as seven o’clock in the morning for the registration, checking of requirements, and height measurement among others. The written examination started at one o’clock in the afternoon.

Major Raul Verceles, head of the team of examiners from Philippine Military Academy, checks the documents presented by applicants before allowing them to take the test. 

According to City Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon who helped PMA in the dissemination of information about the entrance exam, some applicants came from as far as the Municipality of Roxas in Cotabato Province. Majority of the examinees though were from the Province of Sultan Kudarat.

The 601st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army based in Kalandagan, Tacurong City also helped in the recruitment process. Several schools in the region were among the places visited to encourage applicants.

Jamorabon hopes that there will be several passers in this year’s entrance test. He said that last year’s exam registered a low passing rate. This is the third year that LGU Tacurong hosted the PMA entrance exam.

The team of examiners who arrived from Baguio included Major Raul Verceles, Technical Sergeant Alberto Fagcayang, Sergeant Dennis Liagao, and Corporal Joan Ortiz.

Qualified to take the PMA entrance exam are those who are: natural born Filipino citizens, physically fit and of good moral character, single and have never been married, not charged with administrative or criminal case, at least high school graduate, standing not less than five feet, and at least 17 years old but not a day older than 22 years old on April 1, 2014.

Applicants who will pass the entrance and medical examinations will have the noble privilege of: serving the country, availing free college education, receiving monthly salary and allowances, guaranteed job after graduation, and having progressive career as an officer in the Philippine Army, Navy or Air Force. (Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong City)

LGU launches 2013 City Hall sa Barangay, serves 1,191 constituents

The Local Government Unit of Tacurong launched the 2013 City Hall sa Barangay in Barangay Upper Katungal, August 23, serving 1,191 constituents.

The 3 most availed services were medical and dental services, veterinary services, and free haircut. Of the total number of beneficiaries, 694 availed of free medical and dental services with free medicines.

One of these is Christian Dave Catapan, a 12-year old suffering from cerebral palsy. Christian availed of free medical services and medicines for cough and colds from the Office for City Health Services. “Budlay ini sya dal-on sa banwa kay sa sitwasyon nya kag pati ang wheelchair. Maayo nga may doktor diri subong sa barangay, hindi kami mabudlayan,” said Josie Catapan, Christian’s mother. Brgy. Upper Katungal is approximately 5 kilometers away from the city proper. Construction of roads going to the barangay is also ongoing making it more difficult for commuters like Josie and Christian.

After, getting his free medicines, Christian availed of a free haircut from the Philippine Army, one of LGU’s active partners in City Hall sa Barangay. Christian and his mother were assisted by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

City Hall sa Barangay brings all the services of different departments into communities, one barangay at a time. These services are offered for free.

City Hall sa Barangay is now on its 3rd year of implementation.

(Jezereel Billano-LGU Information)

Rotary donates wheelchairs to children with cerebral palsy in Tacurong

Rotary Club of Tacurong turned over ten wheelchairs to children with cerebral palsy during the flag ceremony of the city government on August 19, 2013.

The wheelchairs came all the way from Western Australia as a grant from Rotary International based in Scarborough under its ‘Wheelchairs for Kids’ project.

Rey Miguel Lopez, president of Rotary Club of Tacurong, said that the grant of wheelchairs was born out his club’s awareness of the plight of children, especially those with cerebral palsy.

Lopez said that during the observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week in July where they awarded crutches to PWDs, they were touched at the sight of more than a hundred Persons with Disability (PWD) most of them were children. He said that they were particularly moved when a twelve year-old kid in an old wheelchair threw a tantrum. The kid, Christian Dave Catapan, has a cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that causes physical disability in human development. It affects the brain and the nervous system.

When told that there are many children with cerebral palsy who need wheelchairs, Rotary Club of Tacurong waste no time in coordinating with Rotary 3870 District Governor Teresita Navales who subsequently allocated ten units for Tacurong. The timing was great because there were already several units of wheelchairs that are just waiting for requests. Said wheelchairs were shipped months before from Australia facilitated by Past District Governor Muya Ekey.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) helped Rotary in the identification of the beneficiaries. PWD Focal Person Cathy Mae Catalan said that out of the 19 children they identified with cerebral palsy, the office prioritized ten who are in need the most.

During the awarding of wheelchairs, Lopez was teary-eyed while recalling how touched they were when they saw the condition of the kids. “This is the least that we can for these children. I hope that these wheelchairs bring positive change to their lives,” he said.

Each wheelchair, designed for kids with cerebral palsy, approximately costs P20 thousand each. It carried with it two blankets, a stuffed toy, and tools kit.

Another twelve year-old kid Anthony Mellado of Barangay Tina was excited with his brand new wheelchair. As Rotarians helped him settled onto the wheelchair during the turnover ceremony, he silently thanked them with a wide grin. He said that was the first time he seated on a chair with wheels adding that he was used to using an improvised mono block chair.

The old chair, he said, has been his companion in going to their barangay chapel to attend bible services on Sundays. He said he would wake up very early in the morning every Sunday because going to the chapel on board a chair without wheels would take him nearly an hour.

With his new and sturdy wheelchair, attending bible service every Sunday would not be tiring anymore for Anthony. And he said he has already on his list many places he intends to visit with his two-wheeled buddy. (LGU Tacurong City)

Animal Bureau declares Bird Sanctuary Avian Influenza Virus free

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) confirms that Tacurong Baras Bird Sanctuary is negative from Avian Influenza Virus, following the conduct of Avian Influenza Surveillance conducted in the bird sanctuary last June 10, 2013.

The BAI-Philippine Animal Health Center Laboratory conducted a serological test using 36 bird serum samples collected by the City Veterinary Office during the abovementioned date.

The Baras Bird Sanctuary is home to more than 20,000 black night herons and cattle egrets. The sanctuary is now becoming a popular bird watching destination in Region XII.

“What sets apart Baras Bird Sanctuary from other bird watching destinations is the watchers’ proximity from the birds. Birds are almost within your reach. You don’t need binoculars to see them,” said City Veterinarian Hermenegilda Sanque. “We want both our visitors and the birds protected,” she explained.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Avian Influenza Virus or “H7N9” is a subtype of influenza viruses sometimes found in birds, but that does not normally infect humans. Like all influenza A viruses, there also are different strains of H7N9. Beginning at the end of March 2013, China reported human and bird (poultry) infections with a new strain of H7N9 that is very different from previously seen H7N9 viruses.
Jezereel Billano (LGU-Information)

LGU, stakeholders formulate Comprehensive Development Plan, Executive-Legislative Agenda

Fifty-eight local government executive and legislative officials, employees, and sectoral representatives participated in the Planning Workshop on Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA).

The planning workshop was conducted on August 19-20, 2013 at the Palomado Training Center, Fernandez Subdivision, Tacurong City.

 

The group was divided into five sectors: economic, social, infrastructure, environment, and development administration.

The workshop allowed participants to identify sectoral issues and concerns, the affected populace, and corresponding policy options/strategies. Then, each sector determined their objectives and targets.

Each sectoral group planned programs, projects, activities, services, and legislative requirements for the identified issues and concerns. Also, participants identified capacity development needs and interventions; and implementation, monitoring and evaluation schemes for the planned programs.

The economic sector discussed agriculture and fisheries; veterinary services; economic enterprise and slaughterhouse; cooperative development; tourism; commerce, trade and industry; and labor and employment.

The social services sector planned for education, health and sanitation, social welfare development, protective and social justice, sports and recreation, and housing.

Infrastructure sector planned for roads and bridges; flood control and drainage; water supply; public utilities and transportation; power and communications; and government buildings and facilities.

Environmental sector discussed upland and protected areas; ecological solid waste management; air pollution regulation; toxic and hazardous waste management; waste water management; and urban environment.

Development administration discussed organization and management; LGU-NGA-NGO-CSO-PO; development planning and research; fiscal management; and legal and legislative services.

Mayor Lina O. Montilla shares her insights during the presentation of outputs.

The CDP is a six-year multi-sectoral plan that sets directions of development programs and projects for 2014 to 2019. ELA, on the other hand, is the term-based component of CDP. ELA reflects the major development thrusts and priorities towards the common vision of the city. This covers the elected officials’ 3-year term which is from 2014 to 2016. 

“This activity and the programs we have formulated stem out from our honest desire to improve the lives of the people of Tacurong,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla during the workshop’s opening program.

The workshop was facilitated by the City Local Government Operations Officer Alberto P. Sero and the City Planning and Development Coordinating Office.

“It is our aim to develop comprehensive and integrated plans that are supportive of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals,” said CLGOO Sero.

Outputs of the planning workshop are subject to a final writeshop.

Jezereel Billano (LGU Information)

2013 Igpat Sang Kamera dares landscape photographers

              Discover Tacurong!

            This is the challenge of the City Government of Tacurong to all landscape photography enthusiasts as it launches the 2013 Igpat sang Kamera Photo Contest.

            The Igpat sang Kamera-Discover Tacurong Landscape Photography Category is open to all enthusiasts nationwide. Photo entries must capture the city’s rural and urban landscapes at daytime or night time. Photographs must have been taken not earlier than August 13, 2013. Each participant may only submit a minimum of three and a maximum of 5 photo entries on or before September 6, 2013. Photo entries in 8” x 12” color prints must be submitted to the Tri-Media Office, 2nd floor City Hall Building, Tacurong City.

            Photo enthusiasts are also encouraged to witness and capture Talakudong Festival highlights. Photos for Talakudong Festival Category must have been taken during festival activities and highlights on September 11-18, 2013. To know more about the guidelines, visit igpatsangkamera2013.wordpress.com or Goodwill Tacurong on Facebook.

            Igpat sang Kamera Photo Contest is now on its third year. This is the annual photography contest sponsored by the City Government in line with the celebration of the City’s Foundation Anniversary dubbed as Talakudong Festival every 18th of September.  

Jezereel Billano (LGU-Information)

Career advocacy benefit over 4500 students in Tacurong

Fourth year student Adil Alamada, the only one from around 160 graduating students planning to enrol in Geology course when he goes to college, thought he might be making a wrong decision. But upon learning from a career talk that a geologist is one of the hard-to-fill occupations in the labor market, he said he is making the right career choice.

Alamada of St. John Learning Center was just one of the more than 4500 students from different public and private high schools in Tacurong reached by series of career talks during the observance of Career Guidance Week on August 5 to 9, 2013.

Over two thousand students of Tacurong National High School attend the Career Talk
by LGU-Tacurong and DOLE. 

Students of Notre Dame Siena College of Tacurong during the LGU-Tacurong and DOLE Career Talk 

The secondary schools under the City Schools Division and the newly-organized Tacurong City Network of Career Guidance Advocates have been busy conducting activities during the Career Guidance Week as mandated by Department Order No. 25, series of 2013 issued by Department of Education.

The conduct of Career Guidance Week is in line with the goal of the K-12 Basic Education Program to produce graduates who are ready for higher education, middle level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sultan Kudarat Field Office, the city government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other partners provided speakers in the series of career talks in schools.

In the conduct of career talks, the DOLE and PESO highlighted the DOLE’s Project Jobs Fit, a study that determines the key employment generators in the Philippine labor market until year 2020. The Jobs Fit also provided data on the in-demand and hard-to-fill occupations.

Through Project Jobs Fit, the government hopes that the problem on jobs and skills mismatch that contributes to unemployment could be properly addressed. DOLE’s efforts in addressing jobs and skills mismatch is in line with President Benigno Aquino III’s 22-point labor and employment agenda, whose overarching goal is to invest in the country’s human resource to make them more competitive and employable.

TESDA meanwhile presented to the students its different programs while also emphasizing on the potential of technical-vocational courses as employment drivers of the country’s economy.

Schools that were reached by the week-long career advocacy included: St. John Learning Center, Siloam ABC Tutorial and Learning Center, Notre Dame of Tacurong College-High School Department, Notre Dame Siena College of Tacurong, Rajah Muda National High School, AS Bernardo Memorial National High School, Tacurong National High School, and San Emmanuel National High School, VMC City College-High School Deparment, and Quezon Colleges of Southern Philippines-High School Department.

Tacurong National High School, with more than two thousand students, had the largest number of participants reached by the career advocacy.

Parents who were also encouraged to attend the career talks gave a favourable feedback after the lectures. Mrs. Gomaida Segocio, a teacher in Tacurong National High School, said that she had been previously adamant in convincing her daughter to enrol in Education course. But her daughter wants to be a chemical engineer instead.

When Mrs. Segocio learned that chemical engineering is one of the hard-to-fill occupations, she said she is now ready to concede to her daughter’s career choice.

“I learned a lot in the career talk, and I appreciate the fact that parents are being involved because most of the times, children’s career choices are influenced by their parents,” Mrs. Segocio said.

Career Guidance Week culminating activity

On August 8, the city government hosted a city-wide culminating activity of the Career Guidance Week. More than 700 students from various schools, together with their principals and guidance counselors attended the parade and the closing ceremonies that followed.

In their message during the closing program, Mayor Lina Montilla, School Division Superintendent Gildo Mosqueda, and City Council Labor and Employment Committee Chairperson Benjamin ‘Sonny’ Fajardo pledged their full support to all career advocacy programs.

Mayor Lina O. Montilla speaks during the Culmination Program of the Career Guidance Week.

Education Committee Chairperson Ariel Ferdinand dela Cruz, who helped the DOLE and the PESO in organizing the network of guidance counselors, also found allies in Councilors Welson Ferrer and Psyche Sucaldito who joined the culminating activity. Other members of the city council also pledged their support.

The Rotary Club of Tacurong and the Rotaract Club-Talakudong have also been ardent partners of DOLE and the city government in the conduct of career advocacy. Rotaract even helped in the preparation of the culmination program, while Rotary sponsored prizes for the raffle draw.

DOLE Provincial Head Arlene Bisnon said that the convergence of the government and the private sector in career advocacy programs bodes well for the city of Tacurong. “Patnerships are always encouraged because goals are easily achieved when diverse groups work as one,” she said. (Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong City)

DILG OIC Regional Director Bungubung lauds City and Barangay Officials for the sustained commitment on excellent local governance

“Binibigyang pugay ko ang mga gawaing pambarangay gayundin ang mga programa at proyekto na matagumpay na ipinapatupad para iangat ang antas ng kabuhayan ng bawat mamamayan.”

These are the words of OIC Reynaldo M. Bungubung, CESE during the celebration of the Tacurong City’s 12^th Barangay Day on August 3, 2013. The celebration was themed Barangay Naton Tanan Ang Yabi sang Kauswagan.

In his message as the guest speaker, RD Bungubung praised the innovations done by the City and Barangay Officials such as the 2 Million City Aid for development scheme given every year to 20 barangays; the City Hall sa Barangay which brings all government services closer to the people; the compliance of the barangays to full disclosure policy and Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007; and other DILG Priority Programs such as implementation of Barangay Governance Performance Management System and Katarungnang Pambarangay.

           

            RD Bungubung likewise congratulated the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Upper Katungal for being selected as the Regional Awardee for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives and Awards (LTIA)-Component City Category.

            During the program, City Local Government Operations Officer Alberto P. Sero, City Mayor Lina O. Montilla, and Liga ng mga Barangay President Silvestre Llanto also recognized the 2012 Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa of the city, namely: Brgy. Upper Katungal (1st); Brgy. Poblacion (2nd); and Brgy Griño (3rd).

Also given certificates of recognition during the program were 3-termer Punong Barangays and Barangay Kagawads for their invaluable contributions in the development of their respective barangays.

Officials and employees of the city government, national line agencies, and other stakeholders showed their full support to the barangays during the week-long celebration that showcased the barangays’ local products and talents. The 12^th Barangay Day activities include Agri Fair, Kantahan ng Kabataan, Barangay Booth Contest, and Larong Pinoy.

Tacurong City celebrates Barangay Day every August 3 of each year. August 3 is Tacurong’s founding anniversary as a municipality. It was later on dubbed as Barangay Day when Tacurong turned into a city in the year 2010 through Republic Act 8805.  Alberto P. Sero Jr. (DILG)

LGU formulates 6-year Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan

The Local Government Unit of Tacurong through the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, facilitated a planning workshop on the development of the City’s 6-Year Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan on August 5-6, 2013 at Edjin Pension House, Tacurong City.

Sixty (60) representatives of various agencies formulated plans for four (4) thematic areas of DRRM: prevention and mitigation; preparedness; response; and rehabilitation.

Participating agencies and organizations include: LGU-Tacurong, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Tacuron Search and Rescue Team (TRACER), Department of Education, Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Joint Task Force Talakudong, 601^stBrigade-Philippine Army, Philippine Red Cross, Notre Dame of Tacurong College, Rotary Club of Tacurong, and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. Representatives from the religious sector were also present.

The formulation of the Local DRRM Plan is a response to the national government’s call for efforts to make communities more disaster-resilient. In adherence to R.A. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, various sectors were involved in the planning workshop to come up with an integrated, comprehensive and proactive DRRM Plan for disasters such as flood, earthquake, fire, and human-induced disasters (i.e. bombing, hostage-taking).

“I believe each agency and organization is already implementing systems and plans for DRRM. Through this workshop, we are able to formulate a comprehensive plan wherein our efforts will be unified,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla. The City Mayor also serves as the CDRRMC Chairperson.

Outputs of the workshop shall be subject for review of CDRRMC and the City Planning Office to ensure that activities and programs for the four thematic areas are holistic. The Plan will also be integrated in the city’s local development plan.

The national government is keen in strengthening efforts for disaster-resilience given that the Philippines ranks 3^rd among 170 countries at risk of diffe

rent disasters based on the World Risk Index of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

 Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information )

Tacurong CDRRMC recognized as Region XII's Best Prepared Council

Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla receives the award for Best Prepared City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) during the 2013 Regional Gawad KALASAG awarding ceremonies conducted on August 6, 2013 at Sun City Suites, General Santos City.  The Regional DRRMC and Office of the Civil Defense XII also recognized the Tacurong City Responsive Assistance and Coordinated Emergency Response (TRACER) as the Best Prepared Volunteer group in Region XII. In 2012, TRACER was awarded as the 3^rd Best Volunteer Organization in the country by the National DRRMC. This year, TRACER once again advanced to the National GAwad KALASAG-Best Volunteer Organization Category. Gawad KALASAG was initiated in 1998 to recognize excellence on DRRM and humanitarian assistance.

PRC awards LGU-Tacurong with Scroll of Honor

For its sustained collaboration with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the City Government of Tacurong was awarded with the PRC Scroll of Honor.

The Scroll of Honor, a national award, was given during PRC-Sultan Kudarat Tacurong Chapter’s Blood Donors Recognition Ceremony on July 31, 2013 in Beldent Star Hotel, Tacurong City.

PRC recognized LGU-Tacurong City’s support to the National Blood Services Act of 1994. Responding to the call for advocacy and promotion of voluntary blood donation, recruitment and retention of voluntary blood donors, the LGU institutionalized the City Blood Donors Day in 2011 through City Ordinance 06-2011 sponsored by Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito. 

City Blood Donors Day is celebrated every May 19. This activity encourages individuals and groups from various agencies and organizations to regularly donate blood and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Consequently, Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito was recognized for her support and cooperation to the voluntary Blood Services Program of PRC-Sultan Kudarat.

The Philippine Councilors League (PCL)-Tacurong Chapter was also awarded with the Diploma of Service, a national award. PCL-Tacurong Chapter has been very active in supporting the Red Cross ideals and purposes through its Dugong Konsehal.

Dugong Konsehal is an annual week-long blood-letting activity conducted every first week of September. Dugong Konsehal started in 2011.

July is National Blood Donors Month. Blood Donors Month 2013 is themed Every Blood Donation is a Gift of Life.

  Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information)