LGU build up SPES involvement in dev’t projects

LGU-Tacurong, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), takes SPES implementation a notch higher by involving student-grantees in multi-stakeholder development projects in the city.  

PEACE Summer Reading & Math Camp

Glyza Rea, 16, a BSED student of SKSU, thought that she will be assigned with routinely office tasks for her summer job in the LGU.

However, the LGU has something better in mind for her and for other grantees of the Special Program for the Employment of Students or SPES.

On April 21, Glyza and 8 other grantees who are education majors started rendering their service as reading mentors in the LGU’s PEACE Summer Reading and Math Camp in Barangay Grino, Tacurong City. As reading mentors, they are tasked to assist teachers in facilitating classroom learning discussions and in preparing materials.

Also members of the PEACE Camp Staff are three SPES grantees taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. They are tasked to help in the daily lunch feeding program of the camp.

The camp aims to improve competencies of incoming Grade III pupils to prepare them for the National Achievement Test. Most pupil-campers belong to indigent families in the barangay.

The PEACE Summer Camp is an initiative of the LGU co-funded by SEAOIL,in partnership with KAYA NATIN Movement, Ateneo School of Governance and DILG.

SPES reading mentors and feeding support staff are also required to submit daily observation reports. This helps LGU camp staff in documenting and monitoring children’s improvement in the learning areas and even on their nutritional status.

Project PAGLAUM, achieving MDGs

On April 22, forty SPES grantees have undergone orientation on the LGU’s Project PAGLAUM under the Millennium Development Goals-Family Based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slum or MDG-FACES.

Project PAGLAUM is being implemented among forty family-partners in Purok Onse, Barangay Poblacion.

Each family-partner is assigned with one SPES grantee.

Each member of the SPES team for Project PAGLAUM conducts intake interview and data gathering in his/her assigned family-partner. A SPES grantee under the project also maintains a daily journal. This journal contains all his/her observations and other necessary information that may be useful in developing interventions for the family-partners.

With the guidance of city social workers, SPES grantees also conduct/facilitate project activity planning and monitoring. Among activities that will be facilitated are sessions on proper hygiene, clean-up and flower gardening, and group dynamics. SPES grantees are also involved in facilitating children’s rights and gender sensitivity training for the children and their parents.

They are tasked to submit photo documentation of each family-partner’s significant tasks and activities.

Project PAGLAUM prioritizes children’s rights to a peaceful and healthy environment. This project was conceived when LGU-Tacurong City became a recipient of DILG’s MDG-FACES Program.

According to Mayor Lina O. Montilla, SPES grantees’ involvement in the LGU’s development projects is a manifestation of its willingness to engage the youth in the process of nation-building. “Bisan sa nubo nga panahon nga ma-involve sila sa projects, ginalauman namon nga madala kag masapuso nila ang aton nga mga adbokasiya,” Mayor Montilla added.

Mayor Montilla joins World Urban Forum in Colombia

Tacurong City Mayor Lina O. Montilla was among the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) delegates to the World Urban Forum on April 5-11 in the City of Medellin, Colombia.

With her were Balanga City Mayor and LCP National Vice Chairperson Joet Garcia, Muntinlupa City Mayor Jimmy Fresnedi, Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy, and Candon City Mayor Ericson Singson. They were accompanied by a member of the LCP secretariat Mr. Vaughn delos Reyes.

The LCP delegates’ participation was sponsored by the Cities Alliance through the Knowledge Management and Exchange System (KMES) project. The Philippines was among the 160 participating countries in the said forum.

The city of Medellin and the Colombian government hosted the World Urban Forum with Medellin being an international example of urban transformation through social urbanism. This city had exemplified its prioritization of vulnerable communities with solutions for accessible mobility, inclusive governance, and quality education with focus on community libraries, recovery of public space and green areas throughout the city.

On April 7, the LCP delegates made a courtesy call to Medelline City Mayor Anibal Gaviria Correa. Mayor Anibal, during the meeting, affirmed the possibility of a joint program with the LCP.
“This is an overwhelming opportunity for a very young and small city like ours…but surely, this experience will help us increase our opportunities for growth, learning, and partnerships,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla. LGU Tacurong City Information

86 pupils embark on LGU Summer Reading and Math Camp

Eighty-six incoming Grade 3 pupils in Barangay Grino, Tacurong City have been chosen to participate in the PEACE Summer Reading and Math Camp from April 21 to May 12, 2014.
The pupils of Dr. Manuel J. Grino Memorial Central School (DMJGCS) received free workbooks and school supplies during the camp’s first day. Pupil-campers were grouped into five according to their reading abilities.

During the launching program, LGU officials led by Mayor Lina O. Montilla and DepEd-Tacurong administrators asked the pupil-campers’ parents to help teachers in nurturing the children’s love for learning.

Through this 15-day summer camp, the LGU hopes to improve the schoolchildren’s reading and math competencies and to prepare them for the National Achievement Test in the coming school year. The LGU also included a daily lunch feeding program for the pupil-campers’ nourishment and motivation.

The PEACE (Promoting and Empowering Actions for Children’s Education) Summer Camp had been made possible through the LGU’s partnership with SEAOIL Foundation, KAYA NATIN Movement, Ateneo School of Governance and DILG. Local stakeholders have also been pouring their support to augment other camp needs. LGU grantees of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) were assigned to assist teachers in the classes and to prepare the campers’ needs in the daily feeding activity.

City Councilor Psyche Sucaldito heads the camp staff composed of selected LGU employees from different offices.

SEAOIL extended a P50,000-grant for Project PEACE when  LGU-Tacurong’s proposal  ranked third among  other proposals submitted by LGUs and schools nationwide for the Champions for Education and Good Governance. (LGU-Tacurong City Information)

LGU supports DOH anti-dengue campaign with Limpyo Kalog

12 April 2014 – Tacurongnons cleaned up the main canals of Barangay Poblacion during the conduct of the 10^thLimpyo Kalog activity. This activity was in support of the anti-dengue campaign of the Department of Health. Specifically, it endeavours to help minimize the alarming cases of dengue in Tacurong which increased on the first quarter of the year.

Among the participants in the said activity were the Local Government Unit of Tacurong, Task Force Talakudong (TFT), 33^rd Infantry Batallion and 601^st Brigade of the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Nuestra Señora Dela Candelaria Parish.

Participants were assigned on different locations to assure that the clean-up activity would clear areas capable of holding water and become breeding spots for dengue mosquitoes.

Limpyo Kalog started in the year 2010 through the initiative of SP member Psyche M. Sucaldito. This year, a proposed ordinance authored by Sucaldito was intended for the institutionalization of Limpyo Kalog and is on its way for approval by the city council. If approved, Limpyo Kaloag shall be done quarterly. (LGU-Tacurong City Information)

87% of registered jobseekers qualified during Summer Job Fair 2014

Ninety five out of 109 registered applicants qualified to various vacant positions offered by local employers during the Summer Job Fair 2014 on April 11 at the Notre Dame of Tacurong College Gymnasium.

There were six employers in the job fair: Swana Mercantile, Inc.; KCC Mall of Koronadal; Six Eleven Global Services and Solutions; VMC Asian College Foundation; Radiowealth Finance Company and; Washington Dadiangas Consolidated Distributor.

The said event was particularly intended for the graduates of academic year 2013-2014, particularly residents of Tacurong City.

All qualified individuals are possible employees so long as they are able to comply all necessary requirements given out by their respective employers.

The job fair was organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Local Government Unit of Tacurong, Public Employment Service Office (PESO), PESO-based schools – VMC Asian College Foundation, Notre Dame of Tacurong College, and Southern Mindanao Institute of Technology –, and STI College of Tacurong. (LGU-Tacurong City Information)

Senator Trillanes turns over gym, vehicles to Tacurong City

Senator Antonio ‘Sonny’ Trillanes led the symbolic turn-over ceremony of the Tacurong city gymnasium to Mayor Lina O. Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, and Sangguniang Panlungsod members, March 31.

The senator as well turned over eighteen vehicles to the city’s barangay officials.

In 2012, when he was invited as the Guest of Honor in the city’s Barangay Day, Senator promised to allocate funds for the completion of the Tacurong City Gymnasium and at the same time promised to provide utility vehicles for the different barangays in the city. A year later, a 5 million-peso allocation was given for the implementation of the said pledge.

“We will not be tired in helping Tacurong City,” said Senator Trillanes as he spoke among the civil servants of Tacurong during the LGU’s the flag raising ceremony, March 31.

In 2011, Trillanes allocated P5 million for the construction of the Tacurong City Medical and Dental Center.

In his message, Senator Trillanes reported that he is among the signatories of the Salary Standardization Law 3 that endeavours to increase the benefits of the civil servants in the country. He also told Mayor Montilla, “If there are more proposed projects from your city, my office will always be waiting.” He further explained that despite the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), he will find a way to extend help for the city.

He is among the most productive members of the senate, who ranked 4th before the 2013 senatorial elections with more than 30 senate bills passed into law. He also ranked second among senators with most number of national bills sponsored and committee hearings conducted.

Senator Trillanes’ visit to Tacurong was also in time with the commencement exercises of the Sultan Kudarat State University where he was the invited speaker. (LGU-Tacurong City Information)

Pupils achieve normal BMI through LGU, Jollibee feeding program

One hundred thirty (130) pupils achieved normal body mass index (BMI) after having completed the 136-feeding day cycle of LGU-Tacurong and Jollibee Group Foundation’s Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) Program for School Year 2013-2014, according to LGU BLT Team year-end report. 

When the BLT program started on 5 August 2013, 160 pupils were selected from four schools—Dr. Manuel J. Griño Central Memorial Elementary School, Tina Elementary School, J. Hector Lacson Elementary School, and Josue S. Alcasid Central School. Out of 160 pupils, 96 or 60% were severely wasted while 64 or 40% were wasted.

However, only 151 out of 160 were able to complete the 136-feeding day cycle; nine pupils were not able to complete the feeding days because they changed residence or they transferred school. 

Out of 151, only one remained severely wasted; 20 are wasted; and 130 achieved normal BMI. “The program, based on these results, has a significant impact on pupils’ nutritional status,” said Councilor Psyche Sucaldito, head of the LGU BLT Team. “However, we hope that next year, we will be able to help all pupils to normalize their BMI,” Sucaldito added.

Pupils’ BMI were evaluated by personnel under the RN Heals Program of the Department of Health-SK Chapter. 

In addition to the improved nutritional status, teachers also attested to the pupils’ better class participation. 

LGU-Tacurong gave BLT Academic Excellence Awards to BLT pupils who were included in the school’s honor roll. There were 27 awardees in all. 

The LGU also recognized the contribution of partner-stakeholders, school feeding coordinators, and principals during the BLT Year-end Stakeholders Meeting on March 31. Stakeholders include the Jollibee-Tacurong, Rotary Club of Tacurong, DOH-SK, DepEd Tacurong, Phil. Medical Association-SK, Phil. Dental Association-SK, Tacurong City Employees Association, Tacurong City Employees Multi-purpose Cooperative, COTAMPCO, PICPA-SK, Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and SP-Tacurong. 

Mayor Lina O. Montilla and Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito expressed their support to the continuous implementation of the BLT Program in SY 2014-2015. “We might even expand the program to other schools in the coming years. With the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for budget allocation, and of more groups and individuals, nothing is impossible,” said Montilla.

For SY 2014-2015, Jollibee Group Foundation reduced the feeding days to 120, with a budget of P12.00/meal/pupil from P11.00 last year. The LGU encourages groups and individuals to sponsor BLT pupils; only P1,440.00 is needed to feed a child in 120 days. 

The Jollibee Group Foundation works with organizations and local government units to implement Busog Lusog Talino in cities and municipalities nationwide.  LGU-Tacurong City Information

TACEMPCO declares 24-Million total assets

In its annual general assembly attended by 273 members comprising 70 per cent of the total membership, Tacurong City Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TACEMPCO) declared that its total assets has gone up to P24.87 million at the end of 2013.

TACEMPCO Manager Shirley Fernandez, in her report presented during the 15th on March 29, said that the coop’s assets recorded an increase of P3.30 million compared to its 2012 assets of P21.57 million. Fernandez also reported that at the end of 2013, the coop recorded a net income of P2.36 million from its lending services, cash loans, and consumer services.

Aside from Fernandez, other officers and various committee chairpersons of the TACEMPCO also rendered their respective annual reports during the assembly.

TACEMPCO Chairperson Imelda Pamplona presided over the annual assembly and also rendered her report.

The impressive performance of TACEMPCO was commended by Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Specialist Flora Castro who graced the event and gave inputs on how to improve more the operation of the coop.

Castro said that out of the more than 700 cooperatives in Sultan Kudarat registered to the CDA, there are only 90 that remained to be active and TACEMPCO is one of those active cooperatives.

Mayor Lina Montilla and City Councilor Benjamin Fajardo Jr., both present during the assembly, lauded the good standing of TACEMPCO in the cooperative circle. Both promised their all-out support to the future activities of the coop.

Another highlight of the assembly was the election of new set of officers for vacant positions. Newly-elected Board of Directors included Diana Guadalupe, Roger Arzagon and Radney Ganzon. Ms. Rudiliza Bello was elected as Audit Committee member, while Ms. Candy Leen Baulete and Ester Layam were reelected as members of the Election Committee.

The distribution of more than P1 million dividends on share capital and patronage refunds for the coop members also highlighted the whole-day activity. Various prizes were also given away during the raffle draw. The grand prize, a brand new refrigerator, was won by Leilani dela Cruz of the City Treasury Office. (LGU Tacurong Information)

LGU-Tacurong City wants zero TB deaths

LGU-Tacurong City through the Office for the City Health Services (OCHS) enjoined the participants of the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day Forum to be advocates of TB testing, treatment, and cure for all towards achieving zero TB deaths. This call is in line with the 2014 World TB Day theme: A TB Test, Treatment, and Cure for All. The forum was conducted on March 28.

OCHS advised participants to encourage suspected TB-infected individuals to avail of the free sputum exam at the city health center. TB, if detected and treated early, can be cured.


Tacurong TB-DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) center caters child and adult patients with TB of all forms for free, whether they are PhilHealth members or not. TB treatment takes a minimum of six months given that the patient is not multi-drug resistant.

Once detected, TB patients must undergo treatment for two weeks to eliminate the possibility of infecting other people around them. Right after detection, the patient will have to immediately proceed to the city’s TB-DOTS center for counseling and to get his/her medicines. From the second day to the sixth month, the patient must meet with the barangay health worker everyday. However, the patient must again undergo a sputum exam at the city health center before the second month ends. The patient will again undergo the sputum exam before the fourth and fifth month ends.

In 2013, Tacurong OCHS detected 138 TB cases, and cured 89 patients. Most patients cannot complete the free 6-month TB counseling and treatment. “Karamihan sa mga pasyente, hindi kayang makipagkita sa kanilang rural health worker araw-araw for treatment. Sabi ng iba, dahil walang pamasahe, dahil sa stigma, o dahil wala daw sapat na pagkain araw-araw,” said Lorelie Muyuela, OCHS Nurse. TB patients constantly feel hungry especially if they are in high dosage medication. “We hope to increase our TB cure rate this year by involving sectors in the community. We hope to encourage TB patients to complete their treatment to be cured,” said Dr. Giovanni Deles, City Health Officer.

Tuberculosis remains the 6th cause of death and morbidity in the Philippines. Three out of ten Filipinos have tuberculosis. World TB Day was celebrated on March 24, 2014. (LGU-Tacurong City Information)