DOLE, LGU give livelihood aid to 3 ex-OFWs, 6 shoe repairmen of Tacurong

(October 16, 2011) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the city government of Tacurong through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) on October 3 released livelihood assistance to nine individuals residing in the city.


The nine recipients, three of them former overseas workers and the other six all shoe repairmen or sapateros, belong to what is termed as workers in the informal economy. DOLE-Sultan Kudarat Field Officer Arlene Bisnon and City Mayor Lina Montilla turned over the various tools and jigs to the recipients during the Monday flag ceremony at the city hall.


The sapateros each received a complete set of shoe repair materials including a heavy duty repair table with cabinet, rubber soles, waxes and threads among others. Each set was worth a little less than five thousand pesos. The three former overseas workers who opted to stay in the country to start their respective small businesses also received tools and jigs.


Heidi Eliarda, who worked in the Middle East for few years but decided to go back home to start a banana barbeque or turunan business inside the city public market, received more than four thousand pesos worth of start-up materials such as sugar, oil and raw bananas. “With my family being financially-hard up right now, the start-up capital I received is already a big help to augment my income”, Eliarda said in Hiligaynon.


Bisnon said that, instead of giving free dole outs, DOLE has shifted to a more practical and effective strategy of giving assistance, which is provision of tools and jigs. She said that in this way, there is an assurance that the aid will be really used for the intended purpose. “In identifying the recipients, we see to it that they are already skilled in their ventures and it is them who give us the list of what they need”, Bisnon said.


Mayor Montilla praised the department’s project of giving livelihood kits instead of cash assistance. “I think it’s time for the city government to implement this scheme to make sure that whatever assistance we give will definitely be put into use”, she said. (Allan Freno, LGU-Tacurong PESO)

LGU Tacurong celebrates 20 years of the Local Government Code of 1991

(October 7, 2011) The City Government of Tacurong joins in the nationwide celebration of the 20^th year of the signing of the Local Government Code of 1991.

The theme of this year’s celebration to be conducted on October 9-11 is “Local Government Code: 20 Years of Gains Towards a More Meaningful Autonomy.” 

The three-day celebration will kick off with the Barangay General Assembly which will be simultaneously conducted along with all the other barangays nationwide.

It is expected that the 20 barangays of Tacurong will vigorously participate in the said event to showcase their support to the 20 years of outstanding local governance due to the implementation of the said local government code.

Other activities are as well looked forward to for a more meaningful celebration.

On October 11, during the Local Governance Recognition and Awards, the Seal of Good Housekeeping, EXCELL Awards, and Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award will be given to acknowledged good performing local governments. 

The Tugon ng Pangulo sa Pamahalaang Lokal will be conducted on the same day wherein the President shall deliver a keynote message which will convey his response on pressing local government issues.

Community-led activities that will uphold community engagement and develop public awareness on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption, Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Economic Development, Security, Justice, Peace, and Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation will also be carried out with the direction of the local governments nationwide.

The Local Government Code of 1991 is understood to be the one which is responsible for the positive transformation of local governance therefore attributing wider citizens’ participation and greater civil society, business and private sector engagement and support in good local governance. (Jessa Billano)

IGPAT SANG KAMERA 2011 COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 1ST CITY OF TACURONG PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST [Talakudong Festival Category]

(October 2, 2011) Igpat sang Kamera Committee announces the winners of the 1st City of Tacurong Photography Contest with the theme: “Capturing the Beauty of Tacurong”. The judging was held at City Hall Building, Alunan Highway, Tacurong City. All 126 photo entries were printed on 8”x12” digital paper. All entries were judged according to the following criteria:

    Clarity                                                                20%
    Spontaneity                                                        20%
    Emotions evoked                                               20%
    Festival mood, vibrancy, & ambiance               20%    
    Festival activities and highlights                       10%
    Essence of the festival to the people  
    of the City of Tacurong                                     10%






The top 6 winners
__________________________________________________________________

First Place

Tuesdy Marie Baliza                                       

General Santos City

Second Place

Juniette D. Capili

Tacurong City

 

Third Place

Jonathan Jara

Koronadal City

Fourth Place

Joseph Bernard “Jong” Fresco

Tacurong City

 

Fifth Place

Dennis P. Escarlan

Tacurong City

 

Sixth Place

Mary Grace Nidoy

Columbio, Sultan Kudarat

Street Dance and Field Demo Competition amaze Tacurongnons and visitors

       (September 21, 2011) The city of goodwill froze to witness the spectacle of the annual Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition held at the City Hall Grounds on September 18.

            To lift the spirit of unity of not just the participants but of the whole city, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte gave her message as a guest of honor in this year’s Talakudong Festival.

            “Ayaw mo’g kalimot nga sa usa ka siyudad, ang iyahang bahandi, anaa sa katawhan. So importante nga kamo mga katawhan, kamong mga opisyales sa syudad, isa lang ang inyuhang direksyon. Maghugpong mo padulong sa usa ka direksyon alang-alang sa kaugmaon sa inyuhang siyudad,” Mayor Duterte said.

            Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, one of the guests of honor of the festival, also conveyed his support and admiration in the way Tacurongnons celebrate the Foundation Anniversary of the city.

            Five groups displayed Tacurong City’s rich culture as they filled the day with vibrant and lively costumes, props and astounding tune of musical instruments. The participants included the Tribu Manubiao from Central Tacurong District; Tribu Katubuhan from East-West Tacurong District and San Emmanuel High School; Tribu Kudong from North Tacurong District and VF Grino Memorial National High School; Tribu Salakot from Tacurong National High School; and Tribu Kadsaya from South Tacurong District, Apolinario S. Bernardo Memorial National High School and Rajah Muda National High School.

            Tribu Manubiao was declared Best in Street Dancing. Best in Street Showdown award was bagged by Tribu Salakot while Best in Field Demo/Headgear Exhibition was garnered by Tribu Kudong.

            The over-all result declared Tribu Salakot as the 3^rd runner up who received Php 85,000; Tribu Manubiao received Php 100, 000 as the 1^st runner up; and Tribu Kudong went home with Php 130, 00o for being the Champion of this year’s Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition.

            The event successfully ended with Mayor Lina Montilla’s vision of a unified community not just in trying times but most of all, in festivity and celebration.

            The Talakudong Street Dancing and Field Demonstration Competition culminated the week-long celebration of the city of Tacurong’s 11^th Foundation Anniversary.

SKEI lass crowned as Mutya ng Tacurong 2011

SKEI lass crowned as Mutya ng Tacurong 2011

by Jessa Loreta Billano

            Nine stunning damsels representing different organizations vied for the title of this year’s Search for Mutya ng Lungsod ng Tacurong in the hope of becoming the city’s most beautiful woman.

            In spite of the downpour, people from different places came in the big affair held at the NDTC gymnasium on September 16.

            Councilor Joselito Cajandig Sr., the chairperson of the event, welcomed the guests and audience at the start of the pageant. Mayor Lina Montilla as well gave her message as a symbol of her undying support in upholding not just Tacurongnons’ beauties, but also their wit, intellect and talents. Sponsoring the event was Sagittarius Mines Incorporated.

            Among the prestigious panel of judges were Nelly Nita Dillera; Noel Garovillo; Lech Walesa Ong; Richelle Valerie Pailden; Nephlida Gonzales.

            The competition was tough, but at the end, it was no surprise that Precious Pearl Tadena, the tall and sweet lass of Sultan Kudarat Educational Institute and Sultan Kudarat Doctors’ Hospital owned the title Mutya ng Tacurong. She also took the Best in Modern Filipiniana Gown award, and was chosen as the Darling of the Crowd.

            Campus Art’s Anna Joy Noto was first runner-up and Mutya ng Tacurong Tourism while NDTC’s Darlene Joy Salazar was second runner-up and Mutya ng Tacurong Culture and Arts. Julie Ann Narcilla of Magnet Distributor and Stephanie Mae Cubita of ABC were third and fourth runners up respectively.

            The Mutya ng Tacurong 2011 is one of the highlights of Tacurong’s 11^th Cityhood Foundation Anniversary celebration.

IGPAT SANG KAMERA ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 1ST CITY OF TACURONG PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST [Discover Tacurong Category]

Igpat sang Kamera announces the winners of the 1^st City of Tacurong Photography Contest with the theme: “Capturing the Beauty of Tacurong”. The judging was held at City Hall Building, Alunan Highway, Tacurong City. All 84 photo entries were printed on 8”x12” digital paper. All entries were judged according to the following criteria:

v Relevance to the theme              40%

v Composition/Arrangement         20%

v Focus/Sharpness/Lighting         20%

v Creativity                                         20%

The top 6 winners

____________________________________________________

First Place

Jonathan Jara

Koronadal City

                 

Second Place

Edgar S. Alvarez

Brgy. New Carmen, Tacurong City

Third Place

Bernard Joseph “Jong” Fresco

Tacurong City

Fourth Place

Marlo Fel C. Paradero

Tacurong City

Fifth Place

Rogelio Jun Degayo Jr.

Tacurong City

Sixth Place

Grace M. Nidoy

Municipality of Columbio



Tacurong is Region 12's most child-friendly city

The Regional Council for the Welfare of Children has chosen Tacurong as the most child-friendly city in Region XII under the component cities category, a proof of the city’s seriousness in putting children’s welfare to the fore of its priorities.

            In a letter sent to the office of Mayor Lina Montilla last week, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Bai Zorahayda Taja officially informed the mayor that Tacurong satisfactorily passed the regional evaluation conducted last month.

Director Taja added that by becoming the region’s most child-friendly city, Tacurong will receive a child-friendly seal plus a fifty thousand pesos cash prize. Further, the city becomes the regional entry for the National Search for the Most Child-Friendly City to be launched this month.

            The city was evaluated based on its child-friendly policies and programs particularly in the areas of survival, protection, education, and development. Representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, and DSWD composed the regional evaluation team.

            During the validation on July 27, the evaluators checked various pertinent documents such as the annual budget of the city to determine how much funds go to programs that promote the welfare of children. Evaluators also paid a visit to the police station and inspected the latter’s Women and Children’s Desk along with its records.

            Three out of the twenty barangays were also subjected to ocular inspection to know the functionality of each of its Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). The City Council for the Welfare of Children (CCWC), being allowed to submit one barangay for inspection, chose Barangay Buenaflor, which has the most functional BCPC in Tacurong. The other two barangays, Tina and Calean, were selected by the evaluators in random.

            Since the education aspect of the children were given equal consideration, evaluators also inspected one of its public schools, the Tacurong National High School, to determine how far did the City Schools Division go in terms of providing quality education for all.

After a whole day validation, the evaluators and members of the CCWC headed by Mayor Lina Montilla, sat down for an exit conference. The evaluation team declared that except for some minor comments, the city had done well in almost all areas, highlighted by the education sector getting relatively the highest rating.

            Nearly a month after the validation, Tacurong got the official word that it passed the evaluation and declared as the regional winner.

Mayor Montilla, who also sits as the chairperson of CCWC, hopes that the city will be able to get the national award despite strong competition anticipated to be presented by other regions.

CCWC Action Officer Nancy Bawe said that the council is making improvements based on the feedbacks offered by the regional evaluation team. “Before the national evaluation team visits our city for the validation, we hope to already make enhancements to boost our chances in the national search’, Bawe said. [Allan S. Freno]