LGU, DILG train barangay officials on disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation

Barangay officials of all the twenty barangays of the City of Tacurong attended the two-Day Roll Out Training on Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction & Management and Climate Change Adaptation conducted by the city government and the Department of Interior and Local Government for the city on June 14 and 15 at Tacurong Pilot gym.

Said barangay officials were among the 132 participants to the training that included school principals of the City Schools Division. School administrators were involved in the training considering that schools are used as evacuation centers in times of calamities.

Tacurong Search and Rescue Team, PNP and the Bureau of Fire personnel, served as trainers for the two-day activity. DILG XII First District Officer Engr. Samuel Camaganacan was present to oversee the conduct of the activity.

Before the training proper, City Social Welfare and Development Officer and CDRRMC Focal Person Eufemia Robles presented to the participants the Mindanao Declaration on Disaster Reduction Priorities. City Local Government Operations Officer Alberto Sero, Jr. also explained the rationale as to the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to Climate Change Adaptation.

On the course of the training, participants were taught with basic rope course, inputs on early warning system, evacuation center management, first aid/life-saving techniques, and simulation on emergency response among others.

Tacurong City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) was the first to conduct said training in the province of Sultan Kudarat as confirmed by DILG Provincial Director Abdulgani Tekoken who was also present during the activity.

“I admire the leadership of Mayor Lina Montilla because just a month after DILG XII’s conduct of the orientation on mainstreaming disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation for LGUs, Tacurong was quick to respond to the call of the regional office to conduct roll out trainings to all barangays”, Director Tetoken said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Montilla said that the training was just what the barangays need right now since the CDRRMC had already conducted a seminar on how to use their allotted budgets for calamities last year.

“We, in the city of Tacurong, should always welcome all the help that we need because disaster preparedness is everybody’s responsibility” Mayor Montilla said. (LGU-Tacurong Information; Allan Freno)

Recruitment team joins ‘City Hall sa Barangay’

(June 15, 2012) SAN ANTONIO, TACURONG CITY—Reynald Solatorio, 18, graduate of a two-year hotel and restaurant management course, did not expect that his first job interview will be in their barangay.

“Nagulat ako pagdating ko sa bahay. Sinabi ng kapatid ko na may hiring sa barangay gym, kaya nagmadali akong pumunta,” said Reynald in his shirt, pants, and slippers. Unlike in other formal job interviews, his clothes did not matter. Indeed, it was a pleasant surprise.

Reynald is the first applicant accommodated by KCC Marbel’s local recruitment team that joined the City Hall sa Barangay San Antonio on June 15, 2012. The team collaborated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Sultan Kudarat and the Tacurong Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

“Nakita namin na mas maganda kung sa barangays kami pupunta kasi mas mapapadali ang proseso para sa aplikante. May mga applicants kasi na hindi nakakapunta sa Koronadal para sa interview dahil mahal ang pamasahe. Nahihirapan din ang iba kasi pabalik-balik sila para sa interview,” said Sheila Ann Diaz, KCC Mall of Marbel HR representative.

This activity enables applicants to undergo initial and final interviews, even examinations if the venue permits. Applicants are also required to fill out DOLE’s form for the National Manpower Skills Registration System.  

All in all, there were 8 applicants interviewed for the day. Ms. Diaz and her team expect to entertain more job seekers in the next barangays.

Reynald lauded the activity saying, “maganda ito dahil willing silang tumulong sa mga out-of-school youth. Maraming new graduates ngayon na nahihirapan. Excited na akong magtrabaho.”  

Meanwhile, Mayor Lina O. Montilla said that “this kind of collaboration widens the scope of the ‘City Hall sa Barangay’. We always welcome those whose purpose is to empower our communities.” Last year, Mayor Montilla opened the City Hall sa Barangay to recruitment agencies for overseas employment.  (Jezereel Louise C. Billano)

DTI and LGU open nominations for outstanding entreps

(June 15, 2012) TACURONG CITY—The City Government and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are to give 3 major awards in celebration of the Tacurong Business Week on July 30 to August 3, 2012. The Provincial SMED Council through DTI-Provincial Office is now accepting nominations for Outstanding Market Vendor, Outstanding Entrepreneur, and Outstanding Businessman.

The Tacurong Business Week is themed Sustaining Unlimited Livelihood Opportunities by Nestling the Growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, also known as SULONG Tacurong.

Nominees for the awards must be involved in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in manufacturing, agri-business, services, and creative industries.

For the enterprise category, nominees must have an asset size of NOT more than P60 million. Nominees for the business category, on the other hand, must have an asset size of AT LEAST P60 million at the time of nomination. Stall owners who are members of the Tacurong Market Vendors Association (TaMaVA) may be nominated for the outstanding market vendor award.

All nominees must: 1) be duly registered to appropriate government agencies as prescribed by the law; 2) be 100% owned and capitalized by Filipino citizens, either single proprietorship or partnership; 3) be owned by Filipinos, with at least 60% of the capital or outstanding stocks, if a juridical entity; 4) have operated for at least 3 years; and 5) have no derogatory record. A nominee must not be a branch, subsidiary or division of a large-scale enterprise.

Selected nominees for the 3 awards will be adjudged based on entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, community/global impact, innovation, and personal integrity.

“We started giving these awards in 2011 to recognize the efforts and contributions of our business sector to Tacurong’s progress. This is one way to make it known that it’s good doing business here,” said Bishop David E. Salazar, LGU Executive Assistant for External Affairs.

Government and private agencies may nominate their MSME beneficiaries however, self-nominations are also welcome. Trophies and medallions will be awarded to winners on August 1, 2012.

For more information, contact Bishop David E. Salazar (064-384-2158). (Jezereel Louise C. Billano)

Mayor’s challenge marked 114th Independence Day

June 12, 2012—Tacurongnons did not bother the early morning drizzles to be part of the commemoration of the 114^th anniversary of the proclamation of the country’s independence.

The City Government held a program with the theme, Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan. The program was filled with patriotic rites and performances ably conducted and offered by members of both public and private sectors: LGU officials, Tacurong Dance Sport Association, Talakudong Choir, TPES, NDTC, Notre Dame Siena College, STI, Rotary Club, and St. John Learning Center. National line agencies and other organizations were also in attendance to witness the program.

The activity was not only highlighted by the flag raising rites and nationalistic performances, but also by Mayor Lina O. Montilla’s message to Tacurongnons.

As Philippine flags proudly waved in the city hall grounds, the Mayor fearlessly challenged public servants to be transparent and sincere. “Hindi madali ang maging kawani ng gobyerno [ngunit] ang matuwid na landas ay hindi mahirap tahakin kung malinis ang ating mga hangarin. Ang kawalan ng katapatan sa sarili at sa gobyerno ay kawalan ng pananagutan sa sarili, sa pinaglilingkuran, at sa mamamayan,” she firmly said.

She also aired that it is high time for government employees to live up to the true meaning of being a public servant: “Simulan natin sa ating mga sarili na nanunungkulan sa gobyerno, na sa ating pamamalagi sa ating mga opisina ay nagagampanan natin ang ating tungkulin at sa paglabas ng mga taong ating pinagsilbihan ay nakangiti sila.”

The Mayor also saluted heroes of then and now: the historic figures, honest public officials, OFWs, and even the Filipinos who have stayed in the country to serve. “Higit sa lahat, sa ating mga taga Tacurong na piniling manatili at magtrabaho sa ating mahal na lungsod, tayo rin ay mga bayani,” she added.

More so, Tacurongnons were highly regarded as active agents of peace: “Sa ilang beses na gustong guluhin ang ating tahimik na lungsod, patuloy pa rin tayong bumabangon. Patuloy nating itaguyod ang kapayapaan at kalayaan.”  

Indeed, freedom comes with responsibilities. Amidst the rain, Tacurongnons cheered with pride. It was a serious challenge, and they are ready to respond. (Jezereel C. Billano)

  

Tacurong welders receive assistance package from LGU, TESDA

(June 12, 2012) If one has to consider giving skills training and livelihood assistance a complete package, then it was what the city government of Tacurong and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) extended to the group of welders of Barangay San Emmanuel.

On June 8, members of the San Emmanuel SEA-K Welders Association opened a new shop that paved way for the opening of livelihood opportunities for them. Composed of more than twenty welders all residing in said barangay, they organized themselves right after they availed of the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) training conducted by Local Government Unit (LGU)-Tacurong in coordination with TESDA.

After receiving the training, most of the welders underwent TESDA assessment for National Certificate 2 or NC2. All of those who took the assessment passed.

The office of the Community Training and Employment Coordinator (CTEC) under the Social Welfare and Development Office of the LGU also worked on a proposal that would give the welders livelihood project. CTE Coordinator Josephine Ubaldo submitted the proposal to Mayor Lina Montilla who subsequently approved for the allocation of P30 thousand.

Part of the assistance was used to construct a welding shop in barangay San Emmanuel and part was used to purchase a welding machine and other tools. The city government turned over said welding equipment during the opening of the shop on June 8.

During the inauguration ceremony of the newly-opened shop, Mayor Montilla said that she is expecting the success of its operation. And upon knowing also that ten member-welders have not yet taken the TESDA assessment, she pledged to personally shoulder their assessment fees.

Meanwhile, TESDA Provincial Director Rey Bernal, also in attendance to the event, announced that TESDA will give another set of welding machine and other tools to the welders of San Emmanuel. The welding tools are already in his office and about to be released.

In April, Mayor Montilla announced that she will allocate P1 Million for skills trainings and livelihood projects. On Friday, the mayor said that said fund is already included in the Supplemental Budget for the next quarter.

City Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon, chairperson of Committee on Livelihood, said that more skills trainings are already in the pipeline for Tacurong residents because of the additional funds the mayor is funneling for the purpose. Among the trainings scheduled to be conducted are plumbing, tile-setting, dress-making and tailoring, welding, cellphone repair and others. (LGU-Tacurong-Information; Allan Freno)

‘City Hall sa Barangay’ returns to Griño

(June 11, 2012) Brgy. Grino was the take-off point of the ‘City Hall sa Barangay’ in February 2011. It has been more than a year, but the hype is still on.

Almost 1,500 Grino residents queued for free government aids in their barangay gym on June 8, 2012. The festival of services was attended mostly by the elderly, students, mothers, and farmers.

“Pinakamalaking need ang medical at yung rehistro din. Karamihan sa Muslim brothers natin walang birth certificate pero lahat naman ng serbisyo dito ngayon, kailangan natin,” admits Brgy. Captain Romeo H. Panes.

The top 3 most availed services were: medical services, dental services, and the free haircut. The three services accommodated 680, 205, and 145 clients, respectively.

Among those who availed free medical assistance were Jhonalyn Garcia and her whole family. “Medyo matagal ko nang tinitiis ang sakit sa breast ko. Ngayon na nacheck ako at may pain reliever, napanatag ako. Malaking tulong itong ginawa dito lalo at kapos ang mga tao ngayon. Nacheck up din pati anak ko, tatay at kapatid ko,” she said.

Like Jhonalyn, students of the nearby Virginia F. Grino National High School were very thankful.  Karen Shane Liquillo, 16, and her classmates all lined up for free dental services. “Ginakulbaan ko kay first time ko magpadentista, ” says Karen. Despite her nervousness, she thanked the LGU and aired a request: tani indi na ni mag-untat.

Farmers also went home happy as 12 cattles/carabaos, 16 goats, and 9 hogs were dewormed and were given vitamins.

 The City Hall sa Barangay project addresses Tacurongnons’ needs by bringing all offices of the local government unit into the communities. These offices offer free assistance during each barangay visit. Initiated by Mayor Lina O. Montilla, the project is now on its second year of implementation. (Jezereel Louise C. Billano)

LGU-Tacurong works on new educational assistance program

(June 8, 2012) An ordinance for the establishment and institutionalization of the Iskolar ng Lungsod ng Tacurong or the ILT Program is scheduled for second reading of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on June 13, 2012.

ILT is a scholarship grant purposely made for the poor yet deserving who hopes to get tertiary or vocational education. LGU-Tacurong aims to launch the program in academic year 2012-2013.

 As indicated in the proposal, applicants must be residents of Tacurong with good moral character, and whose parents’ annual gross income is not over 120,000.00. An applicant must not be over 22 years old and must have an average grade of 80%, without a failing grade in all his/her high school subjects. The proposed program will not be accommodating those who have already availed other scholarships. No two members of a family shall be granted with ILT benefits at the same time.

Even at its proposal stage, Mayor Lina Montilla fully supports the program by allotting an annual budget of 500,000. The said budget is planned to be increased in the succeeding years of its implementation.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod will deliberate and finalize ILT qualifications, requirements, budget, selection process, and other program components in the second and third readings.

“We are very hopeful that this program will be approved and implemented soon. The LGU will closely coordinate with DepEd and other academic institutions to strengthen the implementation of this program,” declares Councilor Ariel Ferdinand M. dela Cruz, Chair of the Committee on Education. Hon. Dela Cruz and Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito are the proponents of ILT. (Jezereel Louise Camangeg Billano)