New ‘Liga’ officials sworn in

Newly-elected officials of the Tacurong Liga ng mga Barangay were sworn into office on December 10, 2013 at the City Mayor’s Office. Barangay Upper Katungal Chairperson Hernane Fermo (second from right) was elected President succeeding Silvestre Llanto, who has already served his last term as chairperson of Barangay D’Ledesma.  Mayor Lina O. Montilla with City DILG Officer Alberto Sero Jr. facilitated the officials’ oath-taking ceremony. The Liga ng mga Barangay represents the barangay units in the local sanggunian. It ‘raises issues and concerns affecting the barangay government; and through proper and legal means, secures corresponding solutions’. Jezereel Billano (LGU-Information)

Highlighting Inugyunay

With the cancellation of the annual grand fireworks display in Tacurong, people are asking: what, then, is the highlight of this year’s Inugyunay Festival?

Pure entertainment

If you fancy extravagant and colorful carnival costumes, the festival’s best part may be Makasining Lahi’s Christmas Mardi Gras on Dec 15, 7PM, at the City Gymnasium.

Looking for hip and cool choreographies? Radyo Natin FM’s Hip-Hop Contest on December 16, 7PM may just be the highlight you are looking for. 

Want to sing your heart out with local bands? Head to the City Gymnasium on December 16, 7PM for the Musikahan 2013 or support the ROTArock: Battle of the Bands for a Cause (December 21, 7PM) sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tacurong and Rotaract Club of Talakudong.

Adding to the festival’s musical vibe is the Search for Singing Peacekeepers and the Inter-agency Christmas Carol Competition. Both events will be conducted on December 18 at 5PM and 7PM, respectively.

Prepare for an amusing night on December 22, 7PM with the Whimsical Variety and Comedy Show at the City Gymnasium. 

Adrenalin rush

Inugyunay Festival will also guarantee energy-filled activities such as the Open League Basketball Tournament on November 23-December 10 and the National Dart Tournament on December 6-8.

Tacurong taekwondo jins will be expecting your support in the 3^rd Mindanao Inter-School Taekwondo Tournament on December 14-15 or you may want to cheer for drops and spins during the National Table Tennis Tournament on December 26-27.

Grab a snack or enjoy inasal ala Tacurong after all the thrilling sports activities! Visit the Inugyunay Food Plaza which will run from December 18 to 23 at the City Hall Ground.

Goodwill

The annual Inugyunay sa Paskwa is a thanks-giving festival. For that reason, the city government and different sectors work hand-in-hand to gather and bring enjoyment to Tacurongnons.  Aside from entertainment, public service activities are also conducted.

If you want to witness couples simultaneously exchanging I do’s, then be at the Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria Parish on December 17, 8AM for the Kasalang Bayan. Ceremony for couples who opted for a civil wedding is on December 18, 8:30AM at the City Gymnasium. The city government sponsors the annual Kasalang Bayan to legalize bonds of couples who have been living together but cannot afford wedding expenses.

Living by the Christmas tradition of giving and sharing, the city government will also conduct a gift-giving activity for indigent families on December 20, 5PM, City Gymnasium.

If you want to see our educators and business professionals reveal their talents share their advocacies, watch out for the Education Sector’s Night on December 19 and the Business Sector’s Night on December 20, 7PM at the City Gymnasium.

The Tacurong youth will also be giving their best during the Inter-school Skills Competition on December 19, 9AM-5PM.

The city government will wrap up the festival with Gab-i sang Pasalamat kag Pasidungog on December 23, 7PM, at the City Gymnasium. This activity is devoted to recognize the philanthropy of organizations during calamities and disasters. It is also for those whose invaluable contribution led to the success of the LGU’s projects and programs.

The Inugyunay highlight

So, what really is this year’s festival highlight? I hope that we all remember the meaning of inugyunay. This Hiligaynon word means ‘to unite’.  All these years, the festival’s best part is always the people—warm, welcoming, united in service and thanks-giving.

The Inugyunay sa Paskwa 2013, which will officially open on December 16, 5PM at the City Hall Ground, has been cut with grand spectacles as the city’s way of showing sympathy with the disaster-hit areas in the Visayas. 

(Jezereel Louise Billano-LGU Information)

Turnover ceremonies organized in nine barangays

In fulfilment of DILG Memorandum Circular 2013-115, “Inventory and Turnover of Barangay Financial Records and Properties,” nine barangays in Tacurong City have undergone turnover ceremonies to ensure smooth transition of administration from 2 December to 4 December, 2013.

Brgy. New Passi, Brgy. Baras, Brgy. Calean, Brgy. New Carmen, Brgy. San Emmanuel, Brgy. San Pablo, Brgy. San Rafael, Brgy. D Ledesma, and Brgy. Poblacion were the primary subjects of the said ceremony for these are the barangays with newly elected chairs and several kagawads.

The outgoing Punong Barangay, Barangay Kagawad, Barangay Secretary, Barangay Treasurer, and bookkeeper/representative from the city government were tasked to conduct or update the inventory of all properties, finances, and documents of the barangay beginning 1 October, 2013 until 15 November, 2013. They also see to it that all financial records and transactions are intact and all officials in actual possession of, or entrusted with, the custody or control or supplies or property are held accountable for such. All documents were assembled such as but not limited to the following: legislative records, administrative records, and supplies and transcripts of lupon meetings and cases, registry of barangay inhabitants and list of members of barangay assembly. They made use of the prescribed forms in the turnover of responsibilities; organized a turnover ceremony to include briefing on the State of Barangay Governance, Financial Performance and Key Challenges to the incoming set of officials; and ensured that all outgoing barangay officials secure clearance from the Barangay Treasurer. The Barangay Treasurer who is applying for property clearance shall secure such clearance from the Punong Barangay.

The handing over of the financial records, legislative records, barangay properties, barangay administrative records, and lupon settlement records were assisted by the respective secretary and treasurer of each barangay and witnessed by Elma Bides, CPA (City Accountant), Tomas R. Robles, MBA (City General Services Officer) represented by Vicente Subaldo (Supply Officer III) in some barangays, Alberto P. Sero, Jr. (City Local Government Operations Officer), city staff, barangay officials, and employees.

During the briefing of the state of barangay governance and key challenges, Mr. Sero put emphasis on the value of having a turnover ceremony for it signals the actual transfer of all necessary documents and equipment, and would also put clarity and organization for the next administration. He also commended each barangay’s achievements and noted suggestions that would further improve the status of the community.

Both the City Accountant and City General Services Officer provided updates and reminders for all barangay leaders regarding financial performance and property and equipment management performance respectively.

The said activity also paved way for barangay officials to raise questions and elucidate some information related to better their own barangays. (Ariesha Faith M. Dimaano)

LGU to cancel Inugyunay fireworks display; sends aid to typhoon victims

In the wake of the typhoon devastation in the Visayas that cost thousands of lives and to sympathize with the victims’ families, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong decided to cancel some of the spectacles in the Inugyunay Festival in December, including the much-anticipated fireworks display.

On November 26, Mayor Lina Montilla and other city officials went to Iloilo to personally hand over to typhoon victims the cash assistance amounting to P800 thousand. Of said amount, P100 thousand each will be given to Passi City in Iloilo Province and Roxas City in Capiz. Twelve towns of Iloilo will also receive P50 thousand each. The city officials also brought the P20,000.00 donated by the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

Mayor Montilla was joined by Vice Mayor Joseph Lechonsito, Councilor Psyche Sucaldito, Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon, Councilor Welson Ferrer and ABC President Silvestre Llanto. Tacurong City Employees Association president Amelia Bochorno also joined the group in their travel to Iloilo to hand over the association’s assistance amounting to P160 thousand.

Relief packs such as food, clothing, hygiene kits and wireless cellphone chargers donated by employees and private individuals and organizations have also been delivered to affected areas through the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Meanwhile, the decision of the Inugyunay Festival Committee to cancel some of the big events in the Christmas festival in December is seen as a fitting way of commiserating with the families of typhoon victims who are still grieving the death of their loved ones and loss of their properties.

However, aside from the spectacular fireworks display, other events in the festival including the nightly presentations, will still push through.

Mayor Montilla said that observing the annual Inugyunay Festival without the lavish celebration is one of our simple ways of sympathizing with our fellow Filipinos ravaged by the super typhoon in the Visayas.

As of November 27 report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) 5,500 individuals were reported dead, 26,136 and 1,757 are still missing. (LGU Tacurong Information)

18-day campaign to end violence against women kicks off

Spearheaded by the Men Oppose Violence Against Women and Children Everywhere (MOVE) with the local government unit, the regional kick-off of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women took place at the city grounds last November 25, 6:00 o’clock in the evening. This year’s theme says “End Violence Against Women (VAW) Now! It’s our Duty.”

Delegates from the different sectors of the community gathered for this advocacy to protect the rights of women. Employees of the city hall, delegations from the different barangays in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO), Sultan Kudarat Water District (SKWD), Notre Dame of Tacurong College (NDTC), Philippine National Police (PNP), and guests from the neighbouring cities/municipalities were present along with Tacurong City Mayor Lina Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph Jorge Lechonsito, City Councilors, and other key officials.

Gender and Development Committee Chairperson Hon. Psyche Sucaldito provided the rationale of the activity. Under the signed Republic Act 10398, November 25 of every year is declared as the “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.” The law also mandates key agencies to conduct activities that would raise public awareness regarding VAW.

As a symbol of the kick-off, lighting of the fountains was fronted by Mayor Montilla, Vice Mayor Lechonsito, Councilor Sucaldito, and Councilor Charito Collado. Simultaneous lighting of candles by all of the participants followed the said ceremony.

“Violence against women is everybody’s duty,” said Mayor Montilla in her message. She added that all citizens regardless of each one’s status have the capacity to help end violence against women. (Ariesha Faith M. Dimaano-LGU Tacurong City)

Defective weighing scales disposed for consumer protection

In line with the continuing efforts of the city government of Tacurong to protect consumer rights, the City Treasury Office with the Economic Enterprise Management and Slaughterhouse Team and Department of Trade and Industry disposed 76 confiscated weighing scales on November 20, 2013.

Confiscated weighing scales that were all found dubious, defective, and beyond repair were brought to the City Engineering Office and was rolled over by a 60-ton road roller truck. These were then burned and buried.

Over 100 weighing scales in varied kilogram categories (10-100 kilos) were confiscated from stall owners in the public market and peddlers around the city since 2012. Upon confiscation, these were brought to the Public Market Office for repair and documentation. “Confiscated items that were found repairable were fixed and handed back to the owners with corresponding certificates,” said City Treasurer Jessie P. Batchar. (Romulo Paclibar Jr. & Jezereel Louise Billano—LGU Tacurong City)

LGU receives commendation for effective riparian zone management

The city government of Tacurong was recognized as the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU) for its remarkable support in the Riparian Zone Management Program for Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Climate Change Adaptation.

Barangay Baras in Tacurong City was also recognized as one of the most outstanding Barangay Riparian Zone Management Councils in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

The LGU received a plaque of recognition while Barangay Baras received a certificate and Php15,000.00 cash prize from the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance or AVLDA. These were awarded during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Summit on 21 November 2013, Provincial Capitol, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

LGU-Tacurong, composed of its Office for the Development of Cooperatives, City Planning & Development Office, and City Environment and Natural Resources Office, continuously take active roles in the rehabilitation and protection of The Kapingkong River and other tributaries. Annual planting of trees, bamboo and vetiver grass in riparian zones started in June 2009. These activities are sustained through the help of AVLDA, non-government organizations, national line agencies, land owners, and other stakeholders.

On June 2009, a total of 3,300 bamboos and trees were planted along river banks and creeks of 10 barangays in Tacurong. On July 2010, an Agroforest Nursery Development Project in Barangay Baras was developed. Through this project, four thousand cutting of various bamboo species were prepared for planting. The cuttings were planted on October 2010. Another tree, bamboo, and vetiver planting activity was conducted on October 2012.

A bamboo and vetiver bagging activity was conducted at the nursery site of Barangay Baras. During this activity, three thousand bags were utilized. Bamboo and vetiver cuttings prepared during this activity will be used in the next planting activities.

Riparian zone management program implementation is one of the key elements of Tacurong City’s DRRM Plan. (Elizabeth Buenacosa & Jezereel Louise Billano—LGU Tacurong)