LGU Tacurong and PhilRice launch CyberCom in Barangay Baras

            (February 26, 2012) With the advent of Digital Age, the demand of literacy on new technology among all kinds of individuals – may they be professionals, students, skilled workers, or even farmers – has significantly increased.

            The City Government of Tacurong, through its yearning to help its people to keep with the pace of this age and to provide them with the best and most up-to-date services, cooperated with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to launch a Cyber Community in Barangay Baras, Tacurong City.

            The launching on February 17 was spearheaded by Mr. Rodel Orejudos of PhilRice Midsayap, Atty. Cirilo Y. Flores, OIC Mayor and City Councilor, Hon. Joselito Z. Cajandig, Sr, City Councilor and Chairman of Committee on Agriculture, and Mr. Ivan Cerbo, Barangay Baras Chairman.

In a written report, Jezereel Louise Billano of PhilRice Nueva Ecija explains that “a cyber community or CyberCom is an ICT-enabled farm village. It is established to link farm communities to various stakeholders who can potentially help them improve their farm production. Equipped with computers and Internet, as well as other digital knowledge products, the community is enabled to have access to agricultural technologies that they need for their farm.”
            Barangay Baras was provided with a complete computer set, a printer and an Internet connection with a WiFi router. However, apart from these devices, information resources and services were also granted. This was made possible by the Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OPAPA), a network of research and development centers spearheaded by PhilRice.

             These information resources and services came in form of websites, video conferencing and printed materials. Partner universities such as the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), University of Southern Mindanao (USM), and Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) were instrumental in the conceptualization and establishment of these features of CyberComs, Billano said.

“The CyberCom concept encourages farmers and rice knowledge workers to continuously learn and share knowledge by using both conventional and novel communication tools. Supported by local extension workers, the CyberCom hopes to enhance farmers’ awareness and knowledge on the existing and emerging farm and communication innovations,” she added.

According to City Councilor Cirilo Flores, the information resources and services of the CyberCom in Baras will be distributed in all barangays in Tacurong in the form of printed materials. This is to extend and to maximize the CyberCom’s assistance to all the farmers in the city. He also assured that the project will have a continued support from the city government.

Thus it is a positive response since “PhilRice emphasizes on the barangay/LGU’s ownership of the project as they have the responsibility to sustain it, making sure that the CyberCom (infrastructure, services, manpower) effectively address the needs of the stakeholders, especially of the rice farmers,” Billano stressed. (Jessa Billano)

Tacurongnons laud local government for continued City Hall sa Barangay project

            (February 21, 2012) Happy and satisfied Tacurongnons lauded the local government during the launching of the second cycle of the City Hall sa Barangay which was conducted in Barangay Baras on Friday, February 17.

            Nanay Carmen, 72, who farms a land that is not her own, expressed her gratitude after availing once again a free medical check-up from the City Health Services.

            “Nagapasalamat gid ako kay wala nila kami ginapabay-an. Gina-asikaso gid kami sang maayo sang gobyerno ta,” she said with teary eyes.

            Additionally, she commended the efforts of every government employee who assisted her all throughout her stay in the venue.

            “Buot sila tanan kag garespeto gid. Han-ay ang pag-entertain nila sa amon. Buot gid sila, wala na ko mahambal,” she said.

            Nanay Carmen, together with her daughter and granddaughters were just few of the hundreds of residents who went to Barangay Baras Gymnasium to once again benefit from this project of the city government of Tacurong.

            With the evident joy of each resident who involved themselves in the project, Barangay Baras Chairman Ivan Cerbo as well stated his appreciation.

            “Sa tanan nga city officials nga ginapangunahan sa aton nga palangga nga mayor, pasalamat gid ang amon nga katawhan sa barangay sa bulig sang City Hall sa Barangay sa mga katawhan dire sa amon. Sa mga city officials, heads of offices, kag sa tanan-tanan nga city hall employees, madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo tanan,” Cerbo said.

            The City Hall sa Barangay delivers the services of every local government office to its constituents by intently piercing through each barangay in the city. Among the services offered in this undertaking are free medical consultation and medicine, free dental services (with tooth extraction), free haircut, vaccination and castration of dogs and farm animals, legal assistance, birth registration, pre-listing for PhilHealth membership, distribution of seeds and seedlings, and consultation with the city officials.

            City Hall sa Barangay was first implemented last February, 2011 and it proudly finished the conveyance of services to 20 baranagays until the end of the said year. This year, the target remains the same. And every Tacurongnon could expect an abiding love for public service by the city officials and employees.

            “Ang programa sa aton nga city government, ang City Hall sa Barangay, natapos na ‘tong last year… subong second cycle ini. So ini, padayon nga programa sang aton nga palangga nga city mayor, kag kami nagasuporta gid kami kay nakita namon, damo gid ang maserbisyuhan nga mga pumuluyo naton dire sa siyudad sang Tacurong,” City Councilor Atty. Cirilo Flores said.

           

            Confirmations of positive feedback with this activity are the visits to the City Hall sa Barangay sites of different local governments including that of LGU Isulan and LGU Koronadal. This is a manifestation that they would also want to conduct the same action in order to establish what the city government of Tacurong has already achieved for its effective public service to its constituents. [Jessa Loreta Camangeg Billano]

JTFT Activation Ceremony marks significant leap for Tacurong

            (February 12, 2012) Peacekeepers, government officials and employees, public and private sector constituents and civilian guests gathered February 6 at the City Hall Grounds, City of Tacurong for a remarkable event for the City of Goodwill – the activation of the Joint Task Force Talakudong (JTFT).

            This significant leap for the city kicked-off with formation of troops and flag raising rites sponsored by the Office of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

            In the ceremony, Tacurong City Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Armand M. Dece, DCC led an invocation and was followed by the reading of the salient points of the Executive Order No. 01 Series of 2012 by City Administrator Eduardo Nicolo. This executive order provides the stipulations in the creation of the Joint Task Force Talakudong (JTFT) between the City Government of Tacurong and the Philippine Army currently represented by the 601^st Infantry Brigade with its mission, composition and functions.

            After the unit color was presented to the crowd, Hon. Lina O. Montilla, City Mayor and the Joint Task Force Chairperson, led the downing of the JTFT Patch to the Command Group. She was assisted by the 601^st Infantry Brigade Commander, Col. Edmundo R. Pangilinan.

            In his remarks, Pangilinan emphasized the need to realize each Tacurongnon’s support in order to achieve a strengthened security, stability and peace in the city.

            “It should be a joint effort. Hindi lamang isang ahensya ng pamahalaan, hindi lamang ng armed forces, hindi lamang ng kapulisan, hindi lamang ng mga volunteers, but rather it should be a joint effort of all stakeholders… Ito po ay Joint Task Force ng people of Tacurong,” Pangilinan said.

            Mayor Montilla also expressed her congratulations to the newly activated JTFT and encouraged everyone to remember this significant undertaking where the city’s peace and order is again lifted to new heights.

            “Let us make this day as the moment wherein we accept the challenge of preserving peace and harmony to abound in our beloved Tacurong. Let us make this day as a tangible realization and reminder for us to better ourselves and to make everything, and anything in our capacity to make it a place where true and everlasting peace resides,” Montilla said.

            The Joint Task Force Talakudong primarily aims to conduct security and disaster risk reduction management operations to promote peace and order, ensure public safety in order to make Tacurong City a safe place to live in and conducive to economic and sustainable development. [Jessa Loreta Camangeg Billano]

Tacurong City Tourism Council elects new officers

(February 3, 2012) The Tacurong City Tourism Council, an umbrella organization of public and private sectors that work hand in hand for the city’s tourism industry, elected a new set of officers on Tuesday.

The elected officers were Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO), chairperson; Talakudong Bakeshop Association, vice chairperson; Philippine Dental Association (PDA) – Sultan Kudarat Dental Chapter, secretary; Traders & Millers Association, treasurer; and Tacurong Market Vendors Association (TAMAVA), auditor.

In this year’s election, it was agreed by the body to vote for an organization rather than a particular person in order to squeeze out a stronger involvement of the group to the council.

Janet Collado, the representative of SUKELCO, assured everyone that their organization’s utmost support will be religiously delivered for the improvement of Tacurong City’s activities and attractions, especially its festivals that are the main highlights of tourism in the city.

Emelie Jamorabon, the city’s tourism operations officer, expressed her gratitude with the different private and public sectors’ willingness to help the city boost its tourism industry’s development and promotion.

“I have so many visions for the development of tourism projects in the City of Tacurong, and I am happy that with the reorganization of Tacurong City Tourism Council and the active involvement of its officers and members, these visions are closer to reality,” Jamorabon said.

The Tacurong City Tourism Council was established thru Executive Order No. 7, Series of 2009 – An Order Organizing the Tacurong City Tourism Council, Providing for Its Powers, and Responsibilities and Appropriating Funds Thereof.

According to Section III of EO No. 7, some of its main functions are to formulate plans, policies and programs beneficial to tourism industry development and promotion; and to spearhead the implementation of various programs and policies that the Department of Tourism and the City Government of Tacurong may from time to time promulgate for the development of tourism in the locality. [Jessa Loreta Camangeg Billano]

LGU Tacurong conducts first aid training to barangay health workers

(January 31, 2012) Lake Sebu, South Cotabato (Feb. 1) - Recognizing their potent role in the delivery of health services in the countryside, the city government continues to arm all Community Volunteer Health Workers in Tacurong with knowledge on how to be effective and reliable in their works, the latest of which is the training on first aid.

More than 120 Community Volunteer Health Workers from 20 barangay of Tacurong attended the three-day First Aid Training and Year-Round Assessment Program, which kicked off Monday, January 30, 2012 at Punta Isla Lake Resort, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Personnel of the City Health Office served as resource speakers in the lectures, which included proper response or first aid to injuries, drowning, convulsion, heart and other cases that require urgent attention.

The activity is an initiative of City Councilor Joseph Lechonsito, Chairperson of Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health who acknowledges the important role of health workers as the first line of implementers of the city’s health programs.

Lechonsito said that medical records show that many accidents result to aggravation of injuries or even result to untimely death because of lack of knowledge on first aid. He added that residents in the barangays, who are far from hospitals, mostly fall victim to these circumstances.

With trained first aiders, patients who require urgent medical attention can surely be addressed while waiting to be transported to the hospital.

Aside from the various lectures on first aid, the LGU distributed copies of booklets on First Aid Guide, which are notably printed in Filipino for better comprehension and understanding.

Personnel from the Center for Health Development XII also arrived on the second day to give more inputs to the participants.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lina Montilla and other city officials, in showing their support to the health workers,  joined them in the open forum and committed to continue to bring to fore of their priorities the welfare of the volunteer workers. (LGU Tacurong-Information)

LGU Tacurong conducts business one stop shop

(January 15, 2012) As the Local Government Unit of Tacurong welcomed another year of public service to its constituents, it opened the Business One Stop Shop from January 2-20 at the City Hall Building, City of Tacurong.

            Services offered by the Business One Stop Shop include the acquisition or renewal of business permits. To make the processing of required documents faster and hassle-free, LGU and other concerned offices are convened in just one venue.

            These offices are the City Engineering Office, City Planning and Development Coordinating Office, Environment and Natural Resources Office, Department of Trade and Industry, PhilHealth, Bureau of Fire Protection, Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine National Police, and License Inspection Services Office.

            Hezel Ochada, 56, owner of a sari-sari store in Public Terminal, expressed her gratitude with this organized service of the local government. “Mas okay na subong kay ara na tanan nga kinahanglan ko. Kag step by step, gina-guide ka gid kung anu-ano ang mga himoon mo,” Ochada said.

            This undertaking of the Local Government of Tacurong in this early part of 2012 is an assurance that its services to its constituents will always be on their reach and can be easily accessed all throughout the year. [Jessa Loreta C. Billano]

LGU Tacurong extols Inugyunay Festival 2011

            (January 15, 2012) The City Government of Tacurong proved that the holiday season indeed is a period of a myriad of celebrations as it lauded the Inugyunay Festival 2011 on December 16-23, 2011 with a series of nightly presentations at the City Hall Grounds, City of Tacurong.

            Tacurongnons convened as early as 2 o’clock in the morning of December 16 to join in the festival opening where the lighting of the giant Christmas tree, belen, Philippine map, and city hall building took place. After which, the City Government Officials, together with the people of Tacurong, joined in the first Misa de Gallo in Nuestra Senora dela Candelaria Parish Church.

            The nightly presentations were sponsored by the different schools and agencies who willed to dedicate their talents not just to give entertainment for their fellow Tacurongnons but also for the aim of offering their performances to God, who is the reason of the season’s celebration.

            The night of Decemeber 19 was owned by the privates schools including NDTC – High School and College Departments, ND Sienna College of Tacurong, Inc., Centerpoint College of Arts and Sciences, St. John Learning Center, Inc., Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution, VMC City College, STI College, and Quezon Colleges of Southern Philippines. The Department of Education starred the night of the 20^th while the 21^st was the time for Non-Government Organizations namely: TAMAVA, Rotary Club of Tacurong, Transport Group, SK Chamber of Commerce, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Trucking Group, and Hotels, Inns, and Pension Houses. The Association of Barangay Council devoured the night of the 22^nd while the night of the 23^rd was reserved for the Local Government Unit of Tacurong talents and for the annual grandiose fireworks display.

            Inugyunay Festival is celebrated every December of each year to bring together the people of Tacurong in the holiday season. Inugyunay is a Hiligaynon word which means “to unite.” [Jessa Loreta C. Billano]