City’s back-to-back Barangay Day and Business Week celebration manifests quality partnerships

“The back-to-back celebration of the opening of Barangay Day 2013 and 4^thSULONG Tacurong Business and SME Week is significant as it manifests the united efforts of all sectors towards achieving a stable economy,” said Ms. Nelly Nita N. Dillera, Regional Director (RD) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) XII and former DTI-SK Provincial Director.

RD Dillera graced the opening program of the Barangay Day 2013 and 4^th SULONG Tacurong Business and SME Week on July 30, 2013 at the City Hall Grounds, Tacurong City.

RD Dillera pointed out how the barangays are able to complement the efforts of public and private agencies in sustaining the economy. According to her, good governance in the barangay level helps in sustaining the business sector. Also, it is in the barangays that DTI discover entrepreneurs that they could help to sustain the economy of the communities.

Tacurong celebrates Barangay Day annually to recognize the contributions of each of its 20 barangays to the progress of the City. Each barangay is given the chance to showcase their local products, delicacies, and other unique features through an Agro-Fair at the City Hall Grounds. An added attraction this year is the Kantahan ng Barangay on August 2, 2013. Barangay Day is on August 3, 2013. Pinoy games will be conducted for the constituents of the 20 barangays.

On the other hand, the 4^th SULONG Tacurong Business and SME Week is conducted by the LGU and DTI to share business opportunities, showcase local enterprises, and distinguish outstanding entrepreneurs and businessmen in the city. SULONG or Sustaining the Unlimited Livelihood Opportunities by Nurturing the Growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises is a brainchild of RD Dillera during her service in the DTI. RD Dillera conceptualized this activity with City Mayor Lina O. Montilla and the LGU’s Investment Section headed by Mr. David Salazar.

The 4^thSULONG Tacurong Business Week activities and services include: technology trainings on charcoal briquette, bamboo nursery development and granulated Cavendish banana (Jul 30); consumer information desk (Jul 30-Aug 3); Producers and Young Entrepreneurs Fair (Jul 30-Aug 3); SME Roving Academy (Jul 31-Aug 2); Financing Forum (Aug 2); Investment Forum (Aug 2); Labor Education Seminar (Aug 2); Awarding of the Outstanding Entrepreneur & Market Vendor; and TESDA Exhibition.

SULONG Tacurong activities were sponsored by DTI-SK, TESDA, and the Provincial Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council in partnership with LGU-Tacurong City.

Jezereel Louise C. Billano (LGU Information)

Returning OFWs thankful for continued reintegration efforts of government

Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Tacurong City continues to appreciate the efforts of the government to reintegrate them in the Philippine society, especially in the labor market.

Fifty-three year old Teresita Dasas, who spent several years working abroad, is one of the many returning OFWs who have been at the receiving end of any assistance from the government.

She was one of the thirty-three OFWs based in Tacurong who attended the Values Formation Seminar conducted by the overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Office XII and hosted by the city government on July 24, 2013.

“Seminars are very important for us because they boost our project proposals’ chances if we apply for loans,” Dasas said.

OWWA Family Welfare Officers Lavenia Casal and Mary Joy Sulatre, the resource speakers of the seminar were all praises to the attentiveness and commitment shown by the participants. “We were happy because they also appreciate the reintegration efforts of the government,” Casal said.

Aside from the Values Formation Seminar, the group of Dasas had also availed of the Agribusiness Investment Opportunity Seminar conducted by the Department of Agriculture on July 16-17 in Tacurong.

The city government, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), also conducted OFW skills-mapping and orientation on the Integrated Livelihood Program of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Because of the continued support shown by the government to them, returning OFWs of Tacurong were motivated and started organizing themselves and even began reaching out to their fellow former OFWs.

Right now, according to Dasas, OFWs in three barangays of Tacurong have already organized and have their own sets of officers. Their plan is to organize all OFWs in 20 barangays of the city within this year.

Early this year, 15 former OFWs received a P75,000.00 assistance from the city government, through the Balikbayan at Kapamilya Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K), which they used for their livelihood projects such as soap processing, salted eggs-making, turmeric tea processing, and others. (Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong City)

Photo News: 2013 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

At least 200 students, policemen, soldiers, employees, and civil society organization members participated in the Walk for Justice on July 26, 2013. The Walk for Justice is the culmination activity for 2013 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week themed Building an Inclusive and Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities. The Walk also served as a fund-raising activity. Each participant paid P20.00 registration fee. Proceeds will be used for assistive needs of PWDs. NDPR Week is annually celebrated nationwide to increase public awareness on disability issues, and encourage citizens to take part in uplifting economic and social conditions of persons with disabilities. 

Dr. Dante Eugenio of Rotary Club of Tacurong and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) turn over crutches to 12 beneficiaries/persons with disabilities during the culmination program of 2013 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week on July 26, 2013 in Tacurong City. The crutches were donated by Rotary Club of Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat Doctors Hospital, Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution, and Sultan Kudarat Eye and Laser Center. Beneficiaries were identified by the CSWDO. After the culmination program, and ear, eye, and physical disability assessment was conducted. At least 500 individuals availed of the said services. 

Mayor Montilla is LCP’s new Deputy Secretary General for Mindanao

The position of Deputy Secretary General for Mindanao of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has been entrusted to Tacurong City Mayor Lina Montilla.

Mayor Montilla was endorsed and voted upon by her fellow city mayors during the 60^thGeneral Assembly of LCP held on July 19, 2013 in Manila.

Almost all of the mayors from 143 member cities of LCP attended the event which also served as the farewell gathering for San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, the outgoing LCP National President. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista replaced him.

Prior to the assembly, Mayor Montilla already has hint that she will be given a position in the influential league but she did not expect such higher office.

When asked as to the reason why she was selected to such high office, Mayor Montilla replied that perhaps her 100 percent attendance and active participation in all undertakings of the LCP paved way for it.

She also reasoned that the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award received by Tacurong City in 2012 elicited admiration from her fellow mayors and that could be one of the factors that made her a familiar face around the league.

Mayor Montilla said that she was humbled by the trust and confidence given to her and pledged that she will remain a dynamic presence in the league.

As Deputy Secretary General, Mayor Montilla joins other mayors in the National Executive Board. She will be in charge of facilitating seminars and conventions in Mindanao region. She will also be directly coordinating with the Secretary General relative to matters concerning all cities in the south. (Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong City)

LGU-Tacurong to launch Jollibee Foundation’s Busog Lusog Talino Program

Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) Program of the Jollibee Foods Corporation Foundation will be launched in four public elementary schools in Tacurong City on July 29-August 1, 2013.

The four BLT Program beneficiaries in the city are Josue Alcasid Central School in Brgy. Baras; J. Hector Lacson Elementary School in Brgy. Calean; Tina Elementary School in Brgy. Tina; and Dr. Manuel J. Griño Memorial Central Elementary School in Brgy. Griño. LGU-Tacurong serves as JFCF’s local implementing partner (LIP) for the BLT Program in the city. LGU-Tacurong sent a letter to JFCF in March 2013 signifying its intent of becoming a LIP.

The BLT Program aims to work with local government units nationwide to feed 40 of each school’s Grade 1 and 2 pupils that are identified as wasted and severely wasted. The pupils will be fed for 136 days within the school year. The actual feeding in Tacurong schools will start on August 5, 2013.

JCFC applies a cost-sharing scheme with it LIPs for the implementation of BLT Program. For the 1^st year of implementation, JCFC will shoulder 75% of the total feeding cost while the LIP will only have to provide for the remaining 25%. In the second year, cost-sharing will be 50%-50%. Finally, in the 3^rd and succeeding years, the LIP is expected to sustain the program without financial assistance from JCFC. (Kno more about BLT on http://www.jollibeefoundation.org)

As part of the sustainability mechanism of the BLT program in Tacurong, LGU-Tacurong partnered with the Rotary Club of Tacurong, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), and Philippine Dental Association (PDA).

Rotary Club of Tacurong committed to provide the necessary cooking tools and eating utensils for the 4 school beneficiaries including spoons, forks, glasses, cooking stove and fuel, frying pans and pots, etc. Jollibee-Tacurong will donate Jollibee plates for the schools.

PMA pledged to provide multivitamins for the children, and hand towels. PDA will provide one-year supply of toothbrushes and free dental check-ups and consultations for the children and their parents.

At the same time, DOH will help the LGU in monitoring the children’s health status throughout program implementation.

“The 4 schools will serve as BLT pilot sites in the city. We hope to include more schools in the future,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla, Chairperson of the BLT Program Core Group.

The BLT Program Core Group, composed of LGU officials and partners, was created through Executive Order 13-2013. Program Orientation of the BLT Core Group with school principals was conducted on July 17, 2013 at the City Mayor’s Office.  The BLT Technical Working Group is headed by Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito. (LGU Information)

LGU, DOLE ally with guidance counselors to address job-skill mismatch in Tacurong

Guidance counselors in Tacurong City organized themselves to help the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong City deal with the persistent problem of jobs and skills mismatch in the labor market.

In a meeting hosted by the LGU through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) on July 22, 2013, guidance counselors of public and private schools elected their set of officers who will be at the helm of their planned activities. Guidance Counselor Mila Pernato of Notre Dame Siena was elected as president of the newly-named Tacurong City Network of Career Guidance Advocates (TCNCGA).

In the said meeting, DOLE Sultan Kudarat Field Office Provincial Head Arlene Bisnon explained the need for a convergence among stakeholders especially in the conduct of career advocacy to students of both public and private secondary schools.

Bisnon said that to attain the goal of effective career advocacy, the DOLE, LGU-PESO, guidance counselors and other concerned groups must align their plans and programs.

Mrs. Christy Hampac, Guidance Coordinator of Tacurong National High School and TCNCGA vice president, said that the said meeting was just in time because all schools are currently in the thick of their preparations for the upcoming observance of Career Guidance Week slated on August 5-9, 2013.

She said that a memorandum was sent to all schools instructing them to conduct various activities during the week which includes career talks among others.

Bisnon agreed that the career guidance week would be a great venue to promote DOLE’s Project Jobs Fit, a product of a thorough research that would help high school students discover their strengths and guide them in making informed decisions on career choice.

Project Jobs Fit identifies the key employment generators in the Philippines in the next seven years including the in-demand and hard-to-fill occupations in the labor market.

Meanwhile, the newly-organized group of guidance counselors also decided to conduct a city-wide culminating activity on August 8. Schools will send delegations to participate in a parade and closing program of the career guidance week.

Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Education Chairman Ariel Ferdinand dela Cruz and Councilor Welson Ferrer who were present during the meeting said that they will help the LGU-PESO in hosting of the culminating activity.

Mayor Lina Montilla, who joined the guidance counselors after their meeting, also pledged her support to all the programs on career advocacy. (Allan Freno, LGU Tacurong City)

21 volunteers compose new barangay rescue team in Tacurong

Twenty-one civilian volunteer organization members, teachers, and barangay officials and tanods now compose the newly-created Brgy. San Pablo Emergency Response Team or SPERT.

The 21 volunteers from Barangay San Pablo, Tacurong City successfully completed a 6-day Search and Rescue (SAR) Training conducted on July 16-21, 2013. Tacurong City Responsive Assistance and Coordinated Emergency Search and Rescue or TRACER conducted the said training.

SPERT was created by the Tacurong City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) with the support of Barangay San Pablo Council.

On July 16-17, lectures and demonstrations on first aid and basic life support were conducted in the barangay.

On July 18-21, TRACER facilitated demonstrations and drills in ropemanship, highline, rapelling, hailing, and swimming to assess the volunteers. The demonstrations and drills were conducted in different locations that include: Kapingkong River in Brgy. EJC Montilla, Tacurong City; Polomolok, South Cotabato; and General Santos City.  Trainees performed their final activity, the one-mile swim, in General Santos City.

SPERT officers and members took their oath on July 22, 2013.

Barangay San Pablo Search and Rescue Team is the second barangay SAR team in the City of Tacurong, following the creation of Barangay New Isabela SAR Team. Tacurong CDRRMC aims to organize barangay-based rescue teams as support to TRACER and to the Council’s efforts in disaster preparedness and response. (Jezereel Louise C. Billano-LGU Information)