Items filtered by date: October 2022

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 6, 2022) – Officials turned over on October 6 the P3-million Sarangani Moro Resource Center which will serve as a venue for all the Moro initiatives in the provincial government.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), headed by District Engineer Rey Francisco, handed over the ceremonial key of the center to Governor Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao and to the rest of the officials and Moro leaders of Sarangani province.

According to Jehanna Pelima, program manager of RP Kalinaw and RP Sarangani Bangsamoro Affairs Program (SaBAP), the Moro center will serve as a venue for all the Moro constituents and will become a landmark for the Muslim Filipinos in the province.

It was in January 2020 when the multi-purpose building broke ground at the Capitol compound.

The Moro Resource Center was funded by then-Congressman and now Governor Ruel Pacquiao after then Board Member Abdulracman Pangolima lobbied for the project to the office of the congressman.

During the turnover, Governor Pacquiao said the creation of the Moro center is the manifestation of his support to the endeavors of the Moro communities of the province.

“We translate our support into actions, hindi lang puro salita kundi may gawa,” the governor said.

He further said the provincial government of Sarangani “ay patuloy na magbibigay ng suporta sa pag-sustain ng peace development sa ating minamahal na probinsya.”

In 2018, a resolution requesting then-Governor and now Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon to provide an area for the resource center in the Capitol grounds was passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

According to Resolution No. 2018-9-034, the center will also provide a venue to showcase the culture of the Moro Sarangans through displaying heirlooms of their ancestors, and will also serve as an area for trainings and seminars of the Sarangani Madaris Federation and other Moro associations.

Pelima said the 170-square meter 1-storey multi-purpose building, located at the Capitol grounds next to Sarangani Indigenous Peoples Center, will be the office of the RP SaBAP and RP Kalinaw programs of the province. The building will also have a prayer room for the conduct of Salah.

She said the center will have a Kauyagan area where Moro entrepreneurs and women’s associations can display local Muslim products and delicacies at a reasonable price.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Gwynn Singcoy, chairperson of the Committee on Muslim Affairs, also shared to his Moro brothers and sisters the milestone the Moro community has achieved in the legislative body of the government.

According to Singcoy, the Committee on Muslim Affairs is now a separate committee in the Sanggunian which was formerly a part of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples.

With these achievements, Singcoy said he looks forward to another milestone for the Moro community which is the “institutionalization of the Moro Development Program for the province of Sarangani.”

Also present during the turnover ceremony were Gapul Hadjirul, vice chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Central Committee; Haji Usman Mudsol of PNP Salam; Municipal Councilor Tungko Sadavao of Alabel; Provincial Engineer Jerry Belbider; Congressman Steve Solon’s Chief of Staff Engr. Gerald Faciol; representatives of the Moro Affairs Program of the seven municipalities; Moro women’s associations; and other partners and stakeholders of the provincial government of Sarangani. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 ?Martin Fernando Bernad Jr.

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 6, 2022) – Officials turned over on October 6 the P3-million Sarangani Moro Resource Center which will serve as a venue for all the Moro initiatives in the provincial government.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), headed by District Engineer Rey Francisco, handed over the ceremonial key of the center to Governor Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao and to the rest of the officials and Moro leaders of Sarangani province.

According to Jehanna Pelima, program manager of RP Kalinaw and RP Sarangani Bangsamoro Affairs Program (SaBAP), the Moro center will serve as a venue for all the Moro constituents and will become a landmark for the Muslim Filipinos in the province.

It was in January 2020 when the multi-purpose building broke ground at the Capitol compound.

The Moro Resource Center was funded by then-Congressman and now Governor Ruel Pacquiao after then Board Member Abdulracman Pangolima lobbied for the project to the office of the congressman.

During the turnover, Governor Pacquiao said the creation of the Moro center is the manifestation of his support to the endeavors of the Moro communities of the province.

“We translate our support into actions, hindi lang puro salita kundi may gawa,” the governor said.

He further said the provincial government of Sarangani “ay patuloy na magbibigay ng suporta sa pag-sustain ng peace development sa ating minamahal na probinsya.”

In 2018, a resolution requesting then-Governor and now Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon to provide an area for the resource center in the Capitol grounds was passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

According to Resolution No. 2018-9-034, the center will also provide a venue to showcase the culture of the Moro Sarangans through displaying heirlooms of their ancestors, and will also serve as an area for trainings and seminars of the Sarangani Madaris Federation and other Moro associations.

Pelima said the 170-square meter 1-storey multi-purpose building, located at the Capitol grounds next to Sarangani Indigenous Peoples Center, will be the office of the RP SaBAP and RP Kalinaw programs of the province. The building will also have a prayer room for the conduct of Salah.

She said the center will have a Kauyagan area where Moro entrepreneurs and women’s associations can display local Muslim products and delicacies at a reasonable price.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Gwynn Singcoy, chairperson of the Committee on Muslim Affairs, also shared to his Moro brothers and sisters the milestone the Moro community has achieved in the legislative body of the government.

According to Singcoy, the Committee on Muslim Affairs is now a separate committee in the Sanggunian which was formerly a part of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples.

With these achievements, Singcoy said he looks forward to another milestone for the Moro community which is the “institutionalization of the Moro Development Program for the province of Sarangani.”

Also present during the turnover ceremony were Gapul Hadjirul, vice chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Central Committee; Haji Usman Mudsol of PNP Salam; Municipal Councilor Tungko Sadavao of Alabel; Provincial Engineer Jerry Belbider; Congressman Steve Solon’s Chief of Staff Engr. Gerald Faciol; representatives of the Moro Affairs Program of the seven municipalities; Moro women’s associations; and other partners and stakeholders of the provincial government of Sarangani. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 ?Martin Fernando Bernad Jr.

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 5, 2022) - The provincial government of Sarangani launched on October 5 the Sarangani One Million Trees Project, a reforestation development program designed to address the challenges that confront the environment.

The One Million Trees project took off through a tree-planting activity held at Sitio Masasato, Barangay Bagacay, where one of Sarangani's critical watersheds is located, the Calminda watershed.

According to Rolando Tuballes, provincial environment and natural resources officer, the project was the initiative of Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, that during his first term as governor from 2022-2025, Sarangani would be able to "plant and grow one million trees" across the province.

He said it was the governor's desire that through his Ronda Probinsya Para sa Kinaiyahan flagship program, the deforestation and forest degradation problem of the province will be addressed accordingly.

Tuballes alarmed the public that the USAID-Safe Water Project study showed "that in just a span of five years from 2015-2020, Sarangani has already lost a forest cover of 19,945 hectares."

Hence, the One Million Trees project "will intensify the reforestation program of the province that will address

issues on erosion and siltation by bringing back the lost forest cover and stabilizing riverbanks to improve water quantity and water quality."

The project will also "mobilize the Sarangans," from the local government units to non-government organizations, private partners and national agencies, communities, and other stakeholders "to take part and play an important role in the rehabilitation of the denuded watersheds."

On October 5, the provincial officials of Sarangani headed by Governor Pacquiao and wife Jobelle Pacquiao, Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon represented by Engr. Gerald Faciol, Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, department heads, government employees, and various stakeholders and partners from the different government and non-government organizations gathered to plant 1,000 seedlings of iron bamboo and fruit trees including coffee, langka, durian, rambutan, lanzones.

"The 1 million trees is still a long way to go to cover the whole Sarangani province," Tuballes said, "but with your trust and support we can save the watersheds in the province and save properties at large in the future."

Governor Pacquiao also thanked all the partners of the provincial government for their full support in the government's campaign for the restoration, rehabilitation, and conservation of the natural resources in the province.

"Let us take responsibility in this kay mahimong safe ang future sa next generations kung kita karon maging responsable sa atong leadership diha sa pagprotekta sa atong kinaiyahan," the governor said.

During the event, the team from the USAID Safe Water Project also turned over to the governor and to the rest of the officials the Provincial Integrated Water Security Management Plan for Sarangani province.

"Makakaasa po kayo na hindi po ito mawalang-bahala and we will use this plan as our guide sa aming probinsya," the governor told the partners from the USAID.

The governor also hoped that through the One Million Trees Project, environmental crises such as climate change and extreme flooding will be somehow addressed "so that in the next coming years, we will not suffer from these calamities." (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE) 

?Jake T. Narte

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 5, 2022) – In his cause to protect the environment, Governor Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao led on Wednesday, October 5, the groundbreaking and time capsule laying of the P18-million worth Category 4 sanitary landfill at Barangay Bagacay in the province’s capital town Alabel.

The sanitary landfill, which is expected to be fully-operational by 3rd quarter of 2023, will be constructed at the 2.8-hectare area where the Sanitary Medical Waste Treatment Facility is located.

Governor Pacquaio said the event marked another milestone for Sarangani Province towards preserving the environment especially that Sarangani operates a provincial hospital and the satellite hospitals in the province’s five municipalities which generate hazardous and toxic wastes.

“We must all be responsible in disposing the wastes particularly the hazardous and toxic wastes coming from our hospitals nga dili nato pwede ilabay lang basin asa. It can cause sickness and diseases nga makapahamak sa atong mga kaigsoonan sa probinsya.”

In his speech, Governor Pacquiao also thanked his predecessor Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon as this project was initiated during his tenure as governor.

Governor Pacquiao said he saw how important the project is and therefore pursued its implementation in his administration.

Engr. Omar M. Saikol, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 12 Environmental Management Bureau Director, graced the event and gave his full support to the project.

“Naga level-up ang Sarangani,” he said as he mentioned that category landfill can only be seen in highly-urbanized cities. “But, in Sarangani the government itself is working towards the protection ng ating environment.”

He lamented on the problem on solid wastes particularly the hazardous wastes. The landfill to be built in Sarangani, according to Saikol, is just timely to cater to all these hazardous wastes not just in the province but also in neighboring areas as he cited the facility in Tantangan as already overwhelmed.

Rolando Tuballes, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said they launched and commissioned the Sarangani Waste Treatment Facility back in 2020 but cannot operate without the Category 4 sanitary landfill which is the required disposal for toxic and hazardous wastes like the infectious wastes coming from the province’s government-run hospitals.

During the event, a signing of the pledge of commitment was done to show support to the provincial government’s campaign on the “proper utilization of the facility and for the optimization of the project towards effective operational system in support to the economic investment and development of the province as well as on public health and welfare.”

Meanwhile, Saikol expressed his appreciation to the provincial leaders for initiating a tree growing activity dubbed as the 1 Million Trees Project which was launched earlier that day which according to him, aligns with the DENR’s National Greening Program.

According to Tuballes, their concept of preserving the environment is from “ridge to reef.”

“We launched the 1 Million Trees Project for the ridge, as atong mga kabukiran para sa atong rehabilitation. We broke ground our sanitary landfill project and later on, kung ano ang nagakahitabo diri sa lowland kag sa highland, definitely at the end of the day, it will end up to the ocean,” he said.

“Kinahanglan ma-manage nato gikan sa kinahitas-an ngadto na sa kinailadman sang atong kadagatan,” he added. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 ? Jake T. Narte

GLAN, Sarangani (October 5, 2022) – Some 500 indigent beneficiaries here each received P3,000 cash from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) on Wednesday, October 5. 

The AICS is part of DSWD’s mechanism to provide immediate response to cases of individuals and families in crisis situation through the provision of financial and material assistance. 

The releasing of cash assistance was an initiative of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go who also graced the event that was held as part of Glan’s 23rd Lubi-lubi Festival celebration. The festival will culminate on Glan’s founding anniversary on October 8. 

Senator Go gave away grocery packs, meals, vitamins, shirts, balls for volleyball and basketball, and gave bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, and watches through a raffle.

Senator Go, who talked about his advocacy on health, said that there are now 52 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide which assist poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.

He congratulated the leaders of Glan and its people for the super health center that had its ceremonial groundbreaking earlier that day.  

A super health center, he said, is smaller than a hospital but bigger than a rural health unit. A super health center has a birthing home, dental services, and laboratory. 

Senator Go had pushed for the passage of the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 that was signed into law by then President Rodrigo Duterte. As he said this, he recognized the contribution of former Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, then Congressman and now Sarangani’s Governor Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao, and Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, the erstwhile governor.

Governor Pacquiao expressed his gratitude for the assistance of Senator Go in facilitating billions worth of projects in Sarangani under the administration of President Duterte. 

Meanwhile, Congressman Solon appreciated the successful implementation of Governor Pacquiao’s flagship Sarangani Ronda Probinsya.

He said the Sarangani Ronda Probinsya, his flagship program Sulong Sarangani, and the programs of Mayor Victor James B. Yap Sr. are cohesively implemented in Glan to further the town’s development. 

Senator Go also talked about his advocacy on sports where he encouraged especially the youth to “get into sports and get away from drugs.”

“Ipadayon pod anto ang kampanya sa corruption sa gobyerno, kriminalidad, ug illegal nga droga,” he said. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 ?Tres Basena

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 4, 2022) – To realize his vision to bring public service closer to the people, Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao launched his Ronda Probinsya sa Barangay flagship program at the newly-created Barangay New Canaan on October 3.

During Governor Pacquiao’s term of office in Congress, the creation of New Canaan as a separate barangay from Pag-asa was made possible.

On August 20, 2022, the majority of the residents, through a plebiscite, voted for the ratification of New Canaan as a distinct and regular barangay.

According to Sarangani Barangay Governance Initiative and Support (SBGIS) Program Manager Paul Allen Villamora, New Canaan is inhabited by around 2,500 locals, majority of whom belong to the Blaan tribe. The main sources of income here are banana, corn, and coconut farming.

Governor Pacquiao said, "atong gipili ning New Canaan para maging site sa launching sa atong Ronda Probinsya sa Barangay kay tungod garbo ni, dili lang sa Alabel kundili sa tibuok probinsya sa Sarangani."

The Ronda Probinsya sa Barangay was conducted alongside the Serbisyong Smile sa Barangay of Alabel headed by Mayor Vic Paul Salarda.

"From these joint programs of Serbisyong Smile sa Barangay and Ronda Probinsya, we are expecting na tanang lumulupyo diri kauban ang atong mga kabatan-unan kay makadawat sa atong libre ug klase-klaseng mga social services," Governor Pacquiao said.

Various national line agencies, and provincial and municipal offices were in full force in bringing different public services to the community.

The office of Governor Pacquiao distributed food packs which included five kilos of rice, canned goods, and noodles, which will benefit 1,000 household members.

The office of Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, represented by Chief of Staff Engr. Gerald Faciol, conducted free eye checkup, reading glasses distribution, free wheelchairs and prosthesis legs for amputees, and distributed more than 300 pairs of slippers for kids through his Serbisyong Sarangan Community Outreach Program.

Various tree, vegetable, and fruit seedlings were provided by the offices of the municipal and provincial Environment and Natural Resources and Agriculturist.

The Environmental Conservation and Protection Center conducted water sampling to test the area's water potability.

The offices of the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management offices conducted an Information and Education Campaign regarding basic life support while the Bureau of Fire Protection advocated fire prevention. Issuance of free cedula was administered by the provincial and municipal treasurer’s offices.

There were helpdesks and seminars conducted by PhilHealth, Department of Trade and Industry, Local Civil Registrar, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Ronda Probinsya Program.

The joint efforts of the Municipal and Provincial Health Offices headed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin, Alejandro, and some physicians from Alabel, together with some partner agencies, have provided various health and medical services such as free tooth extraction, libreng tuli, tutok buntis, free eye checkup, distribution of free medicine and maintenance medicine, COVID-19 vaccination, laboratory examination, and medical consultation. Anti-rabies campaign, deworming, and free vitamins for animals were conducted by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian.

The Provincial and Municipal Social Welfare and Development offices conducted child-friendly activities and senior citizen registration. Free legal consultations and advice were offered by the Provincial Legal Office.

The Public Employment Services Offices conducted a profiling of the beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) livelihood program.

The Local Government of Alabel sponsored a "Kasalang Bayan" where 30 couples tied their knot. Each couple received 25 kilos of rice from the Office of Congressman Solon and a wedding portrait from the Office of Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta.

Private partners also took part in the conduct of the Ronda Probinsya sa Barangay, which included the Mahintana Foundation Inc., Metro Dadiangas Rotary Club, Unilab Consumer Health, Sarangani Alma Lion’s Club, Dragon Kempp medical equipment and supplies trading, Fraternal Orders of Eagles, and International Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Other government agencies such as Land Transportation Office, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and Philippine Army also participated in the activity.

Datu Edmund Pangilan, Provincial Tribal Chieftain of Sarangani, led the ceremonial conferment of the Blaan tribe of the Municipal Tribal Council of Alabel, honoring Governor Pacquiao with the title "Fulung Tmarag Di Banwe."

"Ang buot pasabot sa Fulung Tmarag Di Banwe kay ang pag-pangulo sa probinsya nga naay dignidad, integridad og pagpalangga sa katawhan," said Pangilan.

In his message, the governor thanked the tribe for giving him a special honor.

The New Canaan Integrated School received two printer units from MLGU Alabel and hygiene kits from PLGU Sarangani.

Governor Pacquiao asked the locals of New Canaan to support his administration together with all the provincial officials as they fight the "monster of poverty through bringing public services closer to the people."

During the Kasalang Bayan, Governor Pacquiao reminded the newlyweds to value the importance of marriage.

The event was supported by Vice Mayor Lente Lee Salway Jr. and all the Sangguniang Bayan members of Alabel.

Also present during the activity were Pag-asa Barangay Captain Rose Mae Salway Orlino; Board Member Gwyn Singcoy; Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Engr. Samuel Camaganacan; Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rene Punzalan; PDEA provincial officer Jerome Valentos; Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Ramos; Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Jenric Garcia; 73rd IB commander LTCOL Antonio Quimado Jr.; and Sarangani Police Provincial Director PCOL Nicomedes P. Olaivar.

The Provincial Government of Sarangani and the Municipal Government of Alabel pledged P1 million and P500,000, respectively, for New Canaan to begin its transition as a distinct barangay in the town. (Joshua John Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 ?Jake T. Narte

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 3, 2022) – The provincial government of Sarangani, through the Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO), held a retirement program for its retirees on September 30 at Phela Grande Hotel to honor and celebrate their long years of dedicated public service.

Elizabeth Eluna, Nurse III of Sarangani Provincial Hospital (SPH)-Malungon; Victoria Dazo, Administrative Officer II of SPH-Malungon; Engr. Yolando Bandayanon, division chief of the Motorpool Division of the Provincial Engineering Office; and Raquel Panal, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer were the last batch of retirees for this year who were given recognition by the provincial government.

Eluna first worked at the Malungon Municipal Hospital in 1990 as Nurse I and has now dedicated 32 years of service to the government, while Dazo, who rendered 27 years in public service, first worked in the academe in 1995 at Mindanao State University-Gensan and later transferred to Malungon Municipal Hospital in 2003.

Bandayanon, on the other hand, started working in the provincial government in 1994, and has dedicated 28 years in service, while Panal is set to end her 34 long years of service in government this year.

As a token of appreciation to the retirees, the provincial government through the HRMDO headed by Josephine Alog gave plaques and 14-karat retirement gold rings to the retirees.

Also, the Sarangani Provincial Employees Union (SPEU) President Wilson Lapiz handed over cheques to the retirees as a “pabaon” of the co-employees and members of the union to the retirees, and another cheques which were 50% return of their monthly dues as union members.

Board Member Ephraim Galzote, chairman of the Committee on Civil Service, Labor Standard, and Institutional Development said he was glad that this time, the provincial government was able to hold a “decent” retirement program for the employees.

“I can see the governor is really trying his best to give kahit hindi man natin masabi na elegant, kahit papaano ‘yung disente na retirement program para sa kanila,” he said.

Alog expressed her gratitude to the retirees and commended them for their hardwork and dedication to public service as she also wished them well in the next chapter of their lives.

“This is the end of your official responsibilities being regulated with so many laws and rules, but the service to your family and other people, especially the needy, does not yet end here,” Alog told the retirees.

The government has also offered various retirement programs and benefits that retiring members can avail of depending on their age and length of service. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

?  Jake Narte