Tacurong CPOC members meet ahead of Undas observance

Mayor Lina Montilla convened yesterday the members of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) in an effort to beef up the security ahead of the observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day in Tacurong City.

Said meeting was also the local government’s compliance to Memorandum Circular No. 2013-123 issued by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas directing all local chief executives of Local Government Units (LGU) to “implement necessary measures towards a peaceful and meaningful observance of Undas 2013”. 

The CPOC meeting inside the Conference Room of the Office of the City Mayor was attended by Tacurong City Chief of Police Supt. Junny Buenacosa, 601^st Deputy Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Dece Yabo, Vice Mayor Joseph Lechonsito, Councilors Rodrigo Jamorabon and Psyche Sucaldito, Liga ng mga Barangay President Silvestre Llanto, City Administrator Eduardo Nicolo, and Local Government Operations Officer Alberto Sero, Jr. among others.

Supt. Buenacosa presented to the council the security plan that was already implemented on the eve of Undas. Deployment and mobilization of law enforcers, tanods, rescuers, and medical teams in all public places and critical areas, and most especially in the cemeteries were among the priorities presented.

The chief of police also informed the public that some traffic rerouting will be done and the main road going to the public cemetery in New Isabela will be closed to vehicles to avoid traffic congestion.

Only those tricycles rented by the city government and are offering free rides are allowed to go around the cemetery roads.

Meanwhile, the public is enjoined to abide by some of the prohibited acts during Undas, especially the bringing of deadly weapons, drinking, and gambling inside the cemeteries. (Allan Freno)

BLT parents learn key steps in food sanitation

Parents of Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) Program beneficiaries in Josue Alcasid Elementary School, Brgy. Baras, Tacurong City learned five key steps in food sanitation during the Food Handlers Class conducted on October 25, 2013.

BLT parents cook and prepare the food of 40 schoolchildren for the daily feeding program that is why Mr. Marlow Buenacosa, Head of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Section of the Office for City Health Services, reminded them of these five steps: 1) maging malinis; 2) ihiwalay ang hilaw sa luto; 3) lutuing mabuti ang pagkain; 4) panatilihing nasa ligtas na temperature ang pagkain; at 5) gumamit ng malinis at ligtas na tubig at mga sangkap sa pagluluto.  

Buenacosa also stressed on the importance of proper hand-washing in observing good hygiene and proper food handling. “Ini nga programa, gihiwat para mabusog kag magmaayo ang lawas sang kabataan ta pero kung hindi tama ang pagpreparar sang pagkaon nila, mahimo pa sila nga masakiton,” Mr. Buenacosa said.

The city government of Tacurong, Jollibee Foundation’s local implementing partner for BLT program in the city, sees the need to conduct activities that would guide the BLT parents in the fulfillment of their role in the program. “We need to sustain the commitment of parents for the health of our pupils,” Principal Ronnie Formacion said.

LGU-Tacurong provides ingredients and recipes weekly while BLT program coordinators and principals in each school supervise the daily feeding.

“Daku ang pasalamat namon sa BLT kay damu kami nabal-an nga bag-o, mga recipe nga healthy para sa mga bata, mga natun-an nga hindi mabaydan,” said Mrs. Tessie Corpuz, BLT coordinator of Josue Alcasid Elementary School.

The Food Handlers Class will also be conducted in three other school beneficiaries in Tacurong come first week of November 2013.

The BLT program aims to work with local government units nationwide to feed 40 of each school’s Grade 1 and 2 pupils identified as wasted and severely wasted. Pupils are fed daily or 136 days within a school year.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU-Information)

B.I.T.E.S. among Top 8 Inter-local Health Zone nationwide

Inter-Local Health Zone composed of Bagumbayan, Isulan, Tacurong, Esperanza, and Sen. Ninoy Aquino (B.I.T.E.S.) was adjudged as one of the Top 8 health clusters in the country for year 2012.

          

An evaluation team from the Department of Health (DOH) Central Office conducted a site evaluation on 21 October 2013. Evaluators Dr. Anthony Kho, Ma. Olga Bulasa, and Janice Feliciano shared their observations and insights in an exit conference conducted on 22 October 2013 in Palm Bistro, Tacurong City. Present during the conference were Bagumbayan Mayor Bernardita Bitoonon, Isulan Mayor Diosdado Pallasigue, Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla, and Esperanza Mayor Helen Latog.

During the conference, DOH evaluators stressed the importance of program documentation and the role of policy-makers in sustaining the efforts of B.I.T.E.S.

          

B.I.T.E.S. was also lauded for its program in ensuring availability of blood supply for the improvement of maternal health in the province of Sultan Kudarat. This program is in support of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal #5—improvement of maternal health by reducing maternal mortality.

         

B.I.T.E.S. works with the Philippine Red Cross to provide immediate and free blood supply to indigent mothers in their area of coverage.   

Through B.I.T.E.S., a number of private hospitals entered into a memorandum of agreement with local government units granting indigent patients for OB and surgical services with No Balance Billing or NBB. For each patient, BITEs pays P3,000.00 to private hospitals.

Mayors and health officers of B.I.T.E.S. hold quarterly meetings to discuss health concerns in their areas and decide on solutions. They also hold emergency and special meetings to discuss urgent concerns on health system and delivery.

The national winner for 2012 Best Inter-Local Health Zone will be announced on November 2013 while awarding ceremonies will be held on December 11, 2013. (Jezereel Louise C. Billano-LGU Tacurong Information)

TACEAn Nueva Gracia Alog crowned Hiyas ng PSEAS 2013

Ms. Nueva Gracia Alog, a member of the Tacurong City Employees Association (TACEA), was crowned Hiyas ng PSEAS 2013 among 12 candidates representing employees associations of municipal, city, and provincial government units in Region XII.

The pageant was part of the socio-cultural celebration of the 13^th Foundation Anniversary of the PSEAS or Public Sector Employees Alliance in SOCSKSARGEN on 18 October 2013 in Coco Beach, Glan, Sarangani.

Alog seized the crown with her wit and grace especially during the final interview. To the question “Are you in favor of death penalty as punishment for public servants who will be found guilty of graft and corruption?” Alog answered “No. Though they have committed such sin, I still do not believe they deserve death as a punishment. I still believe in life. But definitely, we are after their imprisonment”. Alog, 31, was the second TACEAn to win the title. Hiyas ng PSEAS 2012 was TACEAn Ma. Teresa Dinero.

TACEAns were unstoppable in showing their support for Alog during the event. “Everytime I hear the applause of my fellow TACEANs, I felt more confident walking on that stage,” she said. In her speech before LGU-Tacurong employees on 21 October 2013, Ms. Alog was all tears while thanking the city government and her family for the support that gave her the drive to excel in the competition.

“Now that I am Hiyas, I can say that I have accomplished something and have proven my worth not just as an individual but as a part of the TACEA and LGU-Tacurong family,” the newly crowned Hiyas 2013 said.

The representative of the General Santos City Employees Association was declared 1^st runner-up while the Sarangani Province Employes Union representative was declared second runner-up. Others who made it to Top 5 were T’boli Rank and File Employees Association (3^rdrunner-up) and Tupi Local Government Employees Association (4^thrunner-up).

This year’s pageant was open to PSEAS union members who are 30 years old and above.

Aside from conquering the Hiyas ng PSEAS 2013, TACEA also ruled the dance floor during the Pop Dance Competition. TACEA Dance Crew was declared as Pop Dance Champion, beating 9 other contenders.

“This success means so much to TACEA since we value each member’s involvement in all our endeavors,” TACEA President Amelia Bochorno said.

PSEAS Socio-Cultural Competition is conducted every two years. 

PSEAS is an alliance of 24 public sector employee unions in Region XII.   Jezereel Louise C. Billano

Senator Guingona gives educational assistance to college students in Sultan Kudarat

Around 1,500 students enrolled in different campuses of Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) have availed of educational assistance from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Senator Teofisto Guingona III for the first semester of school year 2013-2014. Senator Guingona allocated P10 Million Pesos for 2,000 student beneficiaries in the Province of Sultan Kudarat. Each student will receive not more than P5, 000.00 assistance.

The beneficiaries of the educational assistance are students residing in the municipalities of Isulan, Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, Lebak, President Quirino, and Lambayong. Students residing in the City of Tacurong were also among the beneficiaries. The city government under Mayor Lina Montilla is the implementing Local Government Unit of said educational assistance.

Another 500 students who will enroll at SKSU in second semester of this school year are expected to avail of the remaining funds intended for the educational assistance.

Utilization of Senator Guingona’s educational aid to the beneficiaries is authorized by the Department of Budget and Management under SARO No. G-13-00691.

E-Bamboo Processing Center launched in Tacurong

             The Talakudong Bamboo Craft Makers Association was one of the recipients of Department of Trade and Industry’s project dubbed as “Shared Service Facility (SSF)” – through the E-Bamboo processing center – for MSMEs which was launched last October 14, 2013 at Villarde Compound, San Pablo, Tacurong City.

            Attended by members of the Talakudong bamboo producers and processors, regional and provincial representatives from DTI, and representatives from the local government unit of Tacurong, the launch put emphasis on the proponent-cooperator-beneficiary partnership as well as the advantages and opportunities derived from having the facilities provided for MSME’s such as the pole cutter, twin ripsaw, and treatment vat.

           Ma. Teresa T. Chua, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI Region XII, said in her inspirational message that if the association manages to progress with the primary equipment given,  they could extend help for product development through trainings in order for them to be competent in the market.

              After the presentation of equipment and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, President of Talakudong Producers and Processors Gerry Palmes expressed his appreciation and thanks as this assistance would mark a good change in the industry they are in. Furthermore, Josephine M. Ubaldo, Community Training and Employment Coordinator, said that financial assistance may be given when development is observed.

         The total cost for the equipment is said to be Php 400,000.00. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)

Senior Citizens culminate Elderly Week Celebration

              A total of 687 participants from all 20 barangays in Tacurong City took part in the conclusion of the Elderly Week. Through the partnership of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association and the local government, the event pushed through last October 8, 2013, at the Tacurong City Gymnasium with the theme: “Nakatatanda Pagtulungang Isulong Benepisyo’t Karapatan Tungo sa Masaya at Masaganang Pamayanan.”

              The whole-day activity started with a holy mass followed by an opening program attended by key officials and guests. Present in the said program were: Violeta S. Muyuela, Office of Senior Citizens Head; Eufemia L. Robles, City Social Welfare and Development Head; Lilia Pama, Federation of Senior Citizens Association Head; Hon. Remus P. Segura, City Councilor; Hon. Charito L. Collado, SP Chairman on Social Services; and Hon. Lina O. Montilla, Tacurong City Mayor.

            Mayor Montilla, in her inspirational message, emphasized the value of providing appropriate facilities and services to senior citizens. She further said that projects that cater to the welfare of the elderly shall be continued – putting emphasis on the free blood chemistry tests that will be implemented next year. The development of the senior citizen center was also mentioned, together with the improvement of identification cards for availing special services. According to Mayor Montilla, this is how the government shall give back to the contribution of this sector to the city of goodwill.

              The event continued as senior citizens from the different barangays showcased their talents in the song solo, song duet, skit-drama, folk dance, and chorus presentations. (Ariesha Faith Martinez Dimaano)

Team Tacurong bags overall championship in taekwondo regional tourney

Tacurong City continues to solidify its elite status in the region’s taekwondo circle.

Eight taekwondo jins won gold medals in the contact sparring of the tournament dubbed 2^nd Department of Education Region XII Inter-School Taekwondo Championship and Team Standard Poomsae held at SM City in General Santos on October 6, 2013.

The gold medals amassed by the team were good enough to declare Tacurong as the overall champion in the tournament participated by more than 100 players coming from other parts of the region including South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, and General Santos City. The team got the overall championship despite not having participated in the standard poomsae events.

The gold medalists were: Charles Naecolt Saavedra (playing coach), Andrea Camille Origenes, Hannah Mikaela Bochorno, Jane Marie Oderette Dañozo, Eric James Bedia, Regine Marie Paba, Alfredo de Tomas, and Jetro Castro.

Four other Tacurong players bagged silver medals, while four more settled for bronzes.

The players who battled for the gold medal matches but failed short and settled for silver medals were Kiana Andrea Mirador, Kurt Sheldon Gacho, Florence Ann Mogan, and Zayton Mamasalido. Bronze medalists included Vassili Purazo, Jomer Sotto, Maxine Jayna Palpalatoc, Jan Dexter dela Fuente, and John Daniel Espino.

In the said tournament, the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) Region 12-A collaborated for the second time with the Department of Education (DepEd) headed by Regioanl Director Allan Farnazo.

PTA Regional Director Robert Joshua Danao said that their Association’s tie up with the DepEd is beneficial to the players’ training preparations especially those who aspire to play for the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) annual tournament and eventually the Palarong Pambansa.

City Councilor and Tacurong City Taekwondo Coordinator Rodrigo Jamorabon also appreciated the collaboration between the PTA and the DepEd. “The two institutions should be working closely since most young players trained by the various taekwondo clubs in the region are those who mostly play for their schools too,” he said.

After Team Tacurong’s successful campaign in the last tournament, players are already gearing up to defend their title. The pressure is huge since the next scheduled tournament in November will be hosted by the city government of Tacurong.

“Foremost, we are always after with the quality of our players’ performance every tournament because the improvement they show in each tournament gives them chances to become scholars when they go to college and to eventually play on bigger tournaments. Any time we get the championship title, we take it as a big bonus,” Jamorabon added.

Jamorabon is also thankful to the continued support of Mayor Lina Montilla in sports and youth development. “The annual budget allocated by the city government for various sports disciplines including taekwondo is a proof of that support,” he said. (by Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong Information)

LGU-Tacurong personnel under job order contract undergo orientation

About 150 personnel under job order contract in the local government participated and took part on the orientation/reorientation spearheaded by the City Human Resource Management Office of Tacurong last September 24-26 and October 1-2, 2013. This event was a five-batch activity scheduled for the different offices in the LGU and was held at the conference room of the Association of Barangay Council Hall.

The said orientation envisions to provide newly-hired employees of the essential information regarding Tacurong City, inform them about the policies and regulations being implemented by the city government for conformity, and lastly mold them into better citizens of the City of Goodwill. As for old job order employees, the reorientation was a refresher of the information and subject matters discussed.

Five major topics were discussed during the orientation: the history of Tacurong City; the official seal of the Tacurong – its symbol and its meaning; the local government unit policies; the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) and Citizen’s Charter; and public service excellence.

This is an annual activity conducted by the CHRM Office headed by Mrs. Nenita G. Albito, MPA. (Ariesha Faith M. Dimaano)

PESO 12 joins 13th National PESO Congress in Leyte

Thirty-nine Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Managers from Region 12 attended the 13^th National PESO Congress held on September 25-27, 2013 at the Oriental Hotel in Palo, Leyte. 

Local Government Units (LGUs) in the provincial, city, and municipal levels including the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions that have established their respective PESOs sent delegates to the said congress organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE).

Regional Director Ofelia Domingo of DOLE 12 and PESO 12 Federation President Ricardo Dagcuta headed the regional delegation in the said congress that gathered more than 700 participants from all regions.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz delivered her keynote speech during the opening program. She lauded the PESO Managers in their unwavering support to the programs of the DOLE especially in carrying out their core functions on job referral and placement, labor market information, career advocacy, and the integrated livelihood program.

Several topics were discussed during plenary sessions including the presentation by the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on how it could partner with the PESO in the implementation of skills development programs.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) also presented “Investment Projects for Job Generation”, while the resource speaker from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) talked on how the PESO could help in the government’s poverty alleviation programs.

Other topics presented included the “Benefits and Programs for OFWs” by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Batas Kasambahay or Republic Act 10361 by the Bureau of Working Conditions, and the “K-12 Implementing Rules and Regulations” by the Department of Education.

One of the highlights of the congress was the awarding ceremony for the Best PESO for year 2012 in several categories, namely: 1^st to 3^rdclass municipalities, 4^th to 6^th class municipalities, 1^stclass provinces, 2^nd class provinces, 3^rd class provinces, component cities, highly-urbanized cities, and NGOs/State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

For region 12, the PESO of Municipality of Malapatan in Sarangani was the lone nominee for the national awards. PESO Manager Anessa Maguan was among the ten nominees in the 1^st to 3^rd class municipality category.

Meanwhile, new set of national officers for term 2014-2016 took their oath of office during the congress. Vissia Marie Aldon of PESO Makati City was sworn in as national president. Jonix Paniagua of PESO Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol also took his oath as member of Board of Trustees.

On the third day of the congress, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino served as the keynote speaker where he manifested his support to all the programs of the DOLE and PESO. He also committed to help pursue the institutionalization of PESO in the LGUs. (by Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong Information)

Tacurong City hosts AVLDA 3rd Quarter BOD meeting

30 September 2013 – The Board of Directors of Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) conducted its 3^rd quarter meeting at Felra Suites, Tacurong City. The alliance consists of cities, municipalities, concerned agencies, and other stakeholders in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. It has the authority over the ecological and political operations in the Allah Valley area.

Presided by Hon. Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes, Chairperson of AVLDA and Governor of South Cotabato, mayors of the different provinces in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat together with representatives from government and private agencies involved were also present in the said assembly. Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla delivered her welcome message as host city for the meeting.

Among the discussions by the Board of Directors included the presentation of the 3^rdquarter accomplishment report by AVLDA Project Officer for Sultan Kudarat Rogelio Acosta. It generally pointed out the environmental management protection actions done by the alliance as well as the administrative development that came about.  Alfred T. Allaga, LGSP-LED Partnership Advisor, gave updates on the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED). Three main components were highlighted: tourism circuit development, marketing programs and promotions, and environmental facilitation.

Other matters such as the Riparian Summit and Environmental Awareness Month 2013 and a proposal for flood prevention were also discussed in the BOD meeting. (Ariesha Faith M. Dimaano)