Makasining Lahi participates in HIV-AIDS awareness seminar

GO FOR PREVENTION, THERE IS STILL NO CURE

20 December 2013 –Members of the Makasining Lahi ng Tacurong (below) listen to LGU Sanitary Inspector Marlow Buenacosa (above)as he explains the symptoms of various sexually-transmitted diseases during the HIV-AIDS Awareness Seminar. Buenacosa included STDs in his talk that focused on how to prevent HIV-AIDS. He stressed that there are only three ways to acquire HIV [and that there is no known cure for the disease so far]: penetrative sexual contact; blood and blood products; and mother to child transmission. An increasing number of HIV cases in the region have been noted. However, there has been no documented case in Tacurong. Gender and Development (GAD) focal person Nancy Bawe reminded the participants that “it is our primary duty to take care and protect ourselves,” regardless of our gender preference. Awareness seminars were conducted this year among various sectors in the city as part of the LGU’s GAD advocacy. LGU-Tacurong, with the gay community, organized the Makasining Lahi ng Tacurong to empower the LGBT sector in the city. 

Radyo Natin FM joins Inugyunay Fest '13

In celebration of their 16^th year, Radyo Natin 94.5 FM Tacurong and Radyo Natin 101.3 FM Isulan brought glee to the Inugyunay Festival with “Radyo Natin @ Sweet 16” last Monday, December 16. The night was filled with intensity as different dance crews from Tacurong City and neighbour towns join the Dance Stars Ultimate Hiphop Competition. Familiar faces also graced the event such as Daniel Padilla and Coco Martin in the Ka-look-alike competition. City Guys Attraction (for the hiphop competition) and Junior Colasito a.k.a. Coco Martin (Ka-look-alike competition) were announced as winners for their respective events. DJ Ate Cheska all the way from Radyo Natin Center, Manila was the special guest of the RN 16^th year anniversary. Prizes and giveaways were given to the audience as part of their appreciation for the support and response to the radio station. (Ariesha Faith M. Dimaano-LGU Information)

Inugyunay Kasalang Bayan 2013 delights 17 couples

 In the photo, brides get ready for their long-awaited bridal walk. 

Seventeen couples said their ‘I Dos’ in LGU-Tacurong City’s Kasalang Bayan 2013 on Tuesday, December 17. Mayor Lina Montilla and LGU heads of offices stood as witnesses in the church wedding. The city government shouldered wedding expenses including church and seminar fees, sponsor fees, CENOMAR fees, meals and snacks during baptism and wedding day, and decorations. The City Planning and Development Coordinating Office and the City Civil Registry Office spearheads the annual Kasalang Bayan since 2005 to help couples who are living together to legalize their union as husband and wife. (Photo & Text: Jez Billano LGU-Information)

Dillera: Unity can outshine the brightest fireworks

16 December 2013—DOT XII Regional Director Nelly Nita Dillera stressed that unity, more than the grand pyrotechnics display, defines Tacurong and Inugyunay Festival. Dillera, the festival opening’s guest speaker, lauded LGU-Tacurong and its people for staying united that leads to the success of different programs in the city. “Unity can outshine even the brightest fireworks,” said RD Dillera. LGU-Tacurong cancelled its annual grand fireworks display to facilitate aid to typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas. It donated 800 thousand pesos to typhoon victims in Iloilo and Capiz; the employees association also donated 160 thousand pesos in addition to relief packs, hygiene kits, etc. After the program, Mayor Lina O. Montilla led the lighting of the City Hall lights and miniature Christmas village at the city grounds.

Gay Community gives back through Christmas Mardi Gras

15 December 2013 – The pre-opening of the Inugyunay Festival set off through the “Christmas Mardi Gras for a Cause”initiated by the Makasining Lahi – an organization composed of the gay community in Tacurong City – in cooperation with the city government of Tacurong. Members of the Makasining Lahi strut their costumes in the torch parade followed by a programme which provided entertainment and laughter to everyone watching the show. Highlight of the event was the gift giving to children from the Federation of Persons with Disabilities in Tacurong City. Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito, Chairperson of the Christmas Mardi Gras, commended the organization for conducting the activity for the first time and moreover, for putting up a show that helps the community. President of Makasining Lahi Anthony Elvas promised that this event will progress further in the coming years so as to lend a hand to more people. (Ariesha Faith M. Dimaano)

Paunat sang Kusog 2013

In the photo, City Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon leads representatives of each team during the opening of Tacurong LGU Inter-Office Palaro and Socio-cultural Activities or LIPS XVI on December 10, 2013. LGU-Tacurong City and Tacurong City Employees Association (TACEA) conducts this event annually to encourage employees to live a healthy lifestyle and to develop their team spirit. “Let us not forget the essence of LIPS: to keep our mind and body healthy to be able to serve the citizens well,” said Mayor Lina Montilla. LIPS XVI, dubbed as Paunat sang Kusog 2013, will run until December 12, 2013. Awarding ceremonies will be on December 13, 2013.  Jezereel Billano (LGU Information)

Tacurong makes it to the list of most competitive cities in PH

The city government of Tacurong was identified as 22^nd among the National Competitive Council’s Top 50 Most Competitive Cities for the year 2012. Tacurong City was also ranked 8^th among LGUs with the least number of steps—with its 3 steps—required for processing business renewals. Tacurong scored 54.65 in the survey that covered 122 cities nationwide. The results were based on three major factors: economic dynamism, government efficiency, and basic infrastructure. In the photo, City Mayor Lina O. Montilla receives the plaque of recognition from City DILG Officer Alberto Sero and City Planning and Development Coordinator Jaime Cedullo in a turnover ceremony on December 9, 2013. During the ceremony, Mayor Montilla and the city councilors also received certificates of recognition for being a Sandugo Kabalikat of the National Blood Services Program-DOH XII. Jezereel Billano (LGU-Information)

New ‘Liga’ officials sworn in

Newly-elected officials of the Tacurong Liga ng mga Barangay were sworn into office on December 10, 2013 at the City Mayor’s Office. Barangay Upper Katungal Chairperson Hernane Fermo (second from right) was elected President succeeding Silvestre Llanto, who has already served his last term as chairperson of Barangay D’Ledesma.  Mayor Lina O. Montilla with City DILG Officer Alberto Sero Jr. facilitated the officials’ oath-taking ceremony. The Liga ng mga Barangay represents the barangay units in the local sanggunian. It ‘raises issues and concerns affecting the barangay government; and through proper and legal means, secures corresponding solutions’. Jezereel Billano (LGU-Information)

Highlighting Inugyunay

With the cancellation of the annual grand fireworks display in Tacurong, people are asking: what, then, is the highlight of this year’s Inugyunay Festival?

Pure entertainment

If you fancy extravagant and colorful carnival costumes, the festival’s best part may be Makasining Lahi’s Christmas Mardi Gras on Dec 15, 7PM, at the City Gymnasium.

Looking for hip and cool choreographies? Radyo Natin FM’s Hip-Hop Contest on December 16, 7PM may just be the highlight you are looking for. 

Want to sing your heart out with local bands? Head to the City Gymnasium on December 16, 7PM for the Musikahan 2013 or support the ROTArock: Battle of the Bands for a Cause (December 21, 7PM) sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tacurong and Rotaract Club of Talakudong.

Adding to the festival’s musical vibe is the Search for Singing Peacekeepers and the Inter-agency Christmas Carol Competition. Both events will be conducted on December 18 at 5PM and 7PM, respectively.

Prepare for an amusing night on December 22, 7PM with the Whimsical Variety and Comedy Show at the City Gymnasium. 

Adrenalin rush

Inugyunay Festival will also guarantee energy-filled activities such as the Open League Basketball Tournament on November 23-December 10 and the National Dart Tournament on December 6-8.

Tacurong taekwondo jins will be expecting your support in the 3^rd Mindanao Inter-School Taekwondo Tournament on December 14-15 or you may want to cheer for drops and spins during the National Table Tennis Tournament on December 26-27.

Grab a snack or enjoy inasal ala Tacurong after all the thrilling sports activities! Visit the Inugyunay Food Plaza which will run from December 18 to 23 at the City Hall Ground.

Goodwill

The annual Inugyunay sa Paskwa is a thanks-giving festival. For that reason, the city government and different sectors work hand-in-hand to gather and bring enjoyment to Tacurongnons.  Aside from entertainment, public service activities are also conducted.

If you want to witness couples simultaneously exchanging I do’s, then be at the Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria Parish on December 17, 8AM for the Kasalang Bayan. Ceremony for couples who opted for a civil wedding is on December 18, 8:30AM at the City Gymnasium. The city government sponsors the annual Kasalang Bayan to legalize bonds of couples who have been living together but cannot afford wedding expenses.

Living by the Christmas tradition of giving and sharing, the city government will also conduct a gift-giving activity for indigent families on December 20, 5PM, City Gymnasium.

If you want to see our educators and business professionals reveal their talents share their advocacies, watch out for the Education Sector’s Night on December 19 and the Business Sector’s Night on December 20, 7PM at the City Gymnasium.

The Tacurong youth will also be giving their best during the Inter-school Skills Competition on December 19, 9AM-5PM.

The city government will wrap up the festival with Gab-i sang Pasalamat kag Pasidungog on December 23, 7PM, at the City Gymnasium. This activity is devoted to recognize the philanthropy of organizations during calamities and disasters. It is also for those whose invaluable contribution led to the success of the LGU’s projects and programs.

The Inugyunay highlight

So, what really is this year’s festival highlight? I hope that we all remember the meaning of inugyunay. This Hiligaynon word means ‘to unite’.  All these years, the festival’s best part is always the people—warm, welcoming, united in service and thanks-giving.

The Inugyunay sa Paskwa 2013, which will officially open on December 16, 5PM at the City Hall Ground, has been cut with grand spectacles as the city’s way of showing sympathy with the disaster-hit areas in the Visayas. 

(Jezereel Louise Billano-LGU Information)

Turnover ceremonies organized in nine barangays

In fulfilment of DILG Memorandum Circular 2013-115, “Inventory and Turnover of Barangay Financial Records and Properties,” nine barangays in Tacurong City have undergone turnover ceremonies to ensure smooth transition of administration from 2 December to 4 December, 2013.

Brgy. New Passi, Brgy. Baras, Brgy. Calean, Brgy. New Carmen, Brgy. San Emmanuel, Brgy. San Pablo, Brgy. San Rafael, Brgy. D Ledesma, and Brgy. Poblacion were the primary subjects of the said ceremony for these are the barangays with newly elected chairs and several kagawads.

The outgoing Punong Barangay, Barangay Kagawad, Barangay Secretary, Barangay Treasurer, and bookkeeper/representative from the city government were tasked to conduct or update the inventory of all properties, finances, and documents of the barangay beginning 1 October, 2013 until 15 November, 2013. They also see to it that all financial records and transactions are intact and all officials in actual possession of, or entrusted with, the custody or control or supplies or property are held accountable for such. All documents were assembled such as but not limited to the following: legislative records, administrative records, and supplies and transcripts of lupon meetings and cases, registry of barangay inhabitants and list of members of barangay assembly. They made use of the prescribed forms in the turnover of responsibilities; organized a turnover ceremony to include briefing on the State of Barangay Governance, Financial Performance and Key Challenges to the incoming set of officials; and ensured that all outgoing barangay officials secure clearance from the Barangay Treasurer. The Barangay Treasurer who is applying for property clearance shall secure such clearance from the Punong Barangay.

The handing over of the financial records, legislative records, barangay properties, barangay administrative records, and lupon settlement records were assisted by the respective secretary and treasurer of each barangay and witnessed by Elma Bides, CPA (City Accountant), Tomas R. Robles, MBA (City General Services Officer) represented by Vicente Subaldo (Supply Officer III) in some barangays, Alberto P. Sero, Jr. (City Local Government Operations Officer), city staff, barangay officials, and employees.

During the briefing of the state of barangay governance and key challenges, Mr. Sero put emphasis on the value of having a turnover ceremony for it signals the actual transfer of all necessary documents and equipment, and would also put clarity and organization for the next administration. He also commended each barangay’s achievements and noted suggestions that would further improve the status of the community.

Both the City Accountant and City General Services Officer provided updates and reminders for all barangay leaders regarding financial performance and property and equipment management performance respectively.

The said activity also paved way for barangay officials to raise questions and elucidate some information related to better their own barangays. (Ariesha Faith M. Dimaano)