Difference between revisions of "Sarangani Province News January 2012"

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Sarangani Realty

Philippine News

Clash in Sarangani Province; 1 dead, 2 High Powered Firearms Recovered

by NewsDesk-DND


Sarangani Province – Soldiers of Task Group Mulawin, 73rd Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Division, encountered more or less 20 members of an Organized Crime Group (OCG) in Sitio Kanungan, Brgy Tamban, Malungon, Sarangani Province at 10:30 in the morning today, January 30, 2012. The Battalion Commander of 73rdIB, LTC ADOLFO ESPUELAS JR said that, previously the local residents of Brgy Tamban reported on the presence of the armed OCG members allegedly to be affiliated with the New People’s Army. “The Peace and Development Teams (PDTs) of TG Mulawin, responded to the complaint that the said group is harassing and collecting foodstuffs from the local residents”. He said.

The 30-minutes firefight resulted to one (1) OCG member dead, and recovered, one (1) M16 rifle and one (1) M203 grenade launcher.

While the pursuit operation is going on, the PDTs is coordinating with the PNP- Malungon and the local government unit (LGU) of Malungon, Sarangani Province for the identification and proper turnover of the cadaver to his family.

“Together with the LGU, we will assure that we will extend help to the family of the still unidentified member of the OCG.” LTC ESPUELAS added

Suspected NPA member killed in clash with military in Sarangani

by Jamie Marie Elona

INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines—An alleged New People’s Army member was killed by in an encounter with military troops in Sarangani province Monday morning, an Armed Forces of the Philippines Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman said. Colonel Leopoldo Galon said that the still unidentified enemy was killed after military troops engaged roughly 20 armed suspected rebels in a firefight at Sitio (sub-village) Kaniyogan, Tamban village, Malungon town in Sarangani at around 10:30 a.m. An M16 riffle with an M203 grenade launcher attached to it was recovered from the area, he said.

Mindanao

by Tarra Quismundo

Philippine Daily Inquirer


In Mindanao, awardees are Sarangani province, Misamis Oriental, Upi in Maguindanao, and Zamboanga del Norte. Seven winners—Sarangani, Misamis Oriental, Upi in Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Norte, Infanta in Quezon, Bohol and Albay—would be honored for the second time, Galing Pook Foundation said in a statement. The winners were chosen from 137 nominees from across the country. They were chosen based on the following criteria: innovation, positive results, transferability and sustainability, people’s participation, and efficiency in program service delivery. This year’s winners showed effective implementation of projects on rural health, indigenous peoples’ empowerment and speedy delivery of justice.

First 11 beneficiaries avail of Sarangani LGU’s housing program

by Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/27 January) – The provincial government of Sarangani has finally unveiled its P80-million housing venture in the capital town of Alabel, opening its doors earlier this week to the first 11 local government workers who availed of the initiative. Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez said they formally turned over the initial 11 of the 180-unit Capitol Residences in Purok Sto. Niño, Poblacion in Alabel town last Tuesday, two years after it was launched as a pioneering Public-Private Partnership (PPP) housing project in the area. “This is a realization of our previous commitment to provide better shelter through medium grade but affordable housing facility for our employees,” the governor said in a report released by the Sarangani Information Office. The housing project is a joint initiative of the provincial government, the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pagibig Fund and property developer Sarangani Land and Development Corporation (SLDC). The provincial government earlier released P6 million for the purchase of the housing complex site, which were subdivided into 180 lots occupying 210 square meters each. SLDC is currently developing the site into a formal housing subdivision with complete features and housing units that comprise a floor area of 39.24 square meters. The housing units were earlier offered to provincial government employees at socialized packages worth P460,000 through Pagibig Fund financing. Dominguez said the housing project could become a template for other local government units (LGUs) and government agencies to follow “as a progressive, innovative way of developing (resources).” “This may signal the start of investments and developments that would provide formal, decent and the best housing structures in Sarangani,” he said. Lawyer Darlene Marie Berberabe, HDMF chief executive officer, said the Capitol Residences is so far the first among a number of proposed PPP housing projects nationwide that was fully implemented. She cited that the project was even implemented ahead of the housing program for LGUs that is being promoted by Vice President and Pagibig Fund housing program chair Jejomar Binay. During the simple turnover rites, the provincial government and its partners signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), a portion of which detailed the recoupment of the P6 million that the local government invested for the six-hectare housing site. It said the provincial government would earn P33,334 per housing unit based on the one peso computation from the proceeds of the loan per take-out. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)

Sarangani’s PPP housing project opens doors to first occupants

by Beverly Paoyon


ALABEL, Sarangani, Jan 27 (PIA) ---The first-ever PPP (Public-Private Partnership) initiated housing project in Sarangani finally opened its doors to the first batch of occupants Tuesday (January 24) in time for the awarding of certificates of occupancy to 11 beneficiaries. Called as “The Capitol Residences”, it is the housing project of the provincial government, in joint venture with Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Sarangani Land and Development Corporation, which translates the commitment of provincial leaders to provide better shelter through medium grade but affordable housing facility for its employees. The local government unit (LGU) –led housing project was implemented pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 7279 otherwise known as Urban Development and Housing Act in conjunction with Section 17 of RA 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991. HDMF Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe said there have been a lot of negotiations ongoing nationwide for the PPP housing program for the LGUs but she pointed out Sarangani’s project was yet the first ceremonial turn-over she witnessed. “Una ko po itong (The Capitol Residences) napuntahan na tunay naman na nakatayo na ang mga bahay, tapos na ang land development, at may take-out na na labing-isang bahay,” Berberabe disclosed. Berberabe said it was the first mandate of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Pag-IBIG, being the chairman of Pag-IBIG housing program, to conceptualize housing programs for LGUs which the latter supported with a campaign last year, but Berberabe said Sarangani implemented its own much ahead. For his part, Governor Migs Dominguez said it was the “first time that the local government unit engages the first private-public partnership project especially in housing in the whole of Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines.” “A step towards providing innovations in utilizing partnership with the private sector to meet (our) developmental objectives finally today of abiding quality housing especially to our local government and national government employees,” Dominguez said. The governor emphasized also that he wanted to leave the housing project as his legacy where all the beneficiaries “build families, will build noble communities.” Dominguez, likewise, anticipated that The Capitol Residences could be a “template where other local government units or agencies of the government can follow as a progressive, innovative way of developing.” This, according to Dominguez, will also signal the start of investment development that would “provide formal, decent and the best housing project in Sarangani and also become a little imperative for the city residents to look at where you can experience fresh air, where you can see Mt. Matutum and get the fresh breeze coming from Sarangani Bay.” Dominguez, however, stressed that in this project it is not only the houses that will be made as the model of development but as well as the families that will grow there. Atty. Wendel Avisado, secretary general of Housing and Development of the Office of the Vice President, noted this initiative of the provincial government as effective in encouraging employees in return to be more productive civil servants. “Ang pagkakaroon ng kasiguruhan sa usaping pabahay ay mahalaga sa bawat pamilya,” Avisado said. He also pointed out “isa sa mga pangunahing karapatan ng bawat tao sa mundo ay magkaroon ng sariling lupa at bahay para sa kanyang pamilya. Also during the ceremonial turnover was the signing of memorandum of understanding between Sarangani and its partners where part of the covenants agreed was the recoupment of the P6 million the provincial government spent in purchasing the 6-hectare housing area that would in turn earn the provincial government P33,334 per unit based on the one peso computation from the proceeds of the loan per take-out. From the total 180 housing units to mortgage with HDMF, 11 beneficiaries constituted the first batch in which HDMF ceremonially turned over to the provincial government its monetary cash equivalent of P4.7 million as its share. Per lot measures 210 square meters land area and 39.24 sq. meters floor area each unit, the advantage beneficiaries get compared to commercial housing units in cities which would range to an average of only 90 to 120 square meters. (PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)

Marine experts tapped for rehab of Sarangani reef

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/25 January) – The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Sarangani province has tapped marine experts at the Mindanao State University (MSU) here to spearhead the rehabilitation and restoration of a critical reef along the Sarangani Bay that was rummaged by a foreign cargo vessel in May last year. Prof. Concepcion Portugal, former dean of the MSU College of Fisheries here, said the PAMB assigned the college to draw out the plans and implementation mechanisms for the rehabilitation of the Bacud Reef, a portion of which was damaged following the grounding in the area for over a month last year of Panamanian-registered vessel M/V Double Prosperity. She said the board initially set an annual funding of P2 million for the reef’s rehabilitation, which was projected to last for 10 years. “We’ve done extensive research and studies on marine resources at the Sarangani Bay and we’ll mainly utilize them for the rehabilitation works,” Portugal said in an interview with a local television station. Aside from the college’s marine biology and fishery experts, she said they will tap their students to assist in the reef’s rehabilitation, which would involve the installation of artificial reef domes and coral transplantation. Ariel Ortiz, MSU College of Fisheries’ marine biology department head, said they were only waiting for the signing of a formal agreement with PAMB or the local government of Sarangani so they could begin the reef’s rehabilitation works. But he cited that they initially reviewed some completed studies on the rehabilitation and restoration of Sarangani Bay’s marine resources that may be used for the project. “We will come up with the details of the rehabilitation work once an official or formal agreement (with PAMB-Sarangani) is made,” he told MindaNews. Bacud is an offshore reef situated seven kilometers off Kiamba town in Sarangani and covers an area of approximately 141,466 m2. It is one of the few sites in the Philippines where the endangered Mameng lives. The area falls under NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Area System) through Presidential Proclamation Number 756 promulgated in 1996. Marine experts had estimated that around 8,000 square meters of the Bacud Reef were damaged after bulk carrier M/V Double Prosperity, which measures 225 meters long and 32 meters wide, ran aground in the area on May 8 last year. Marine salvors managed to refloat the vessel after five weeks of operations. The vessel, which was carrying 65,900 metric tons of coal, originated from Australia and was en route to India when it ran into the reef. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier pegged the amount of compensation for the damages on the Bacud Reef at P42 million. Represented by the provincial government, PAMB-Sarangani filed damage claims against the vessel’s owner Yano Kaiun Co. Ltd. of Japan before the Philippine Coast Guard’s Special Board of Marine Inquiry. But the management board later agreed to an out-of-court settlement with the vessel’s owners for a total compensation package of P20 million. Lawyer Arnel Zapatos, Sarangani legal officer, said in a statement that the compensation package “constitutes the P10 million representing the actual valuation of experts for the actual damage, and additional P10 million allotted for the rehabilitation of the damaged reef.” He said the use of the out-of-court settlement or alternative dispute resolution mechanism under RA 9285 or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 as the main legal strategy hastened the compensation of damages from the offending vessel. “This case was first of its kind successfully prosecuted by (PAMB-Sarangani), and duly acknowledged by the DENR as the first anywhere in the Philippines. This is also the first case that had triumphantly taken compensation against a foreign merchant vessel, not doing business in the Philippines. This is also the first case of the largest foreign merchant vessel which ran aground in the area of Mindanao and the Visayas, which was successfully arrested by the Philippine Coast Guard using its protective authority on the environment,” he noted. Zapatos added that PAMB-Sarangani signified to utilize the settlement payments to fund the rehabilitation works that would be undertaken by MSU’s College of Fisheries on the Bacud Reef. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Tribal support

by Joseph Jubelag


GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Tribal leaders in the Socsargen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos) area are pushing for the mining operations of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) in Tampakan, South Cotabato amid the existing ordinance approved by the provincial government that seeks to prohibit the open pit mining method within the province.

Fred Basino, indigenous peoples’ (IPs) representative to the Sarangani provincial council, said the Tampakan mining project is expected to bring economic opportunities to tribal communities within the Socsargen area. Basino decried the continued marginalization of IPs to pursue economic development in their communities.

Pacquiao: ‘Man of the Decade’

by (ABS-CBN News)


Manila, Philippines – FILIPINO boxing champ and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao was recognized as “Man of the Decade” by People Asia and Philippines Star Media Group.

This recognition was given to the pound-for-pound king for his great contribution in the field of sports and his promise as a politician. Aside from Pacquiao, other local celebrities who excelled in their corresponding fields were aptly recognized by the media organization. People Asia and Philippines Star Media Group also gave “People of the Year” awards to several outstanding local personalities, including broadcast journalist Ted Failon, Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup, and Miss World 1st runner-up Gwendolyn Ruais. Other awardees are Senator Edgardo Angara, Senator Miriam Santiago, Mel Tiangco, Henry Sy, Louie Ocampo, Jun de Leon, Evelyn Singson and National Artist Ben Cabrera.

Phivolcs: Magnitude-5 quake jolts Sarangani area in Mindanao'

by LBG, GMA News


A magnitude-5.0 quake jolted the Sarangani province in Mindanao early Saturday morning, with the quake being felt in General Santos City.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was recorded at 6:50 a.m. and was tectonic in origin.

In its bulletin, it said the quake's epicenter was traced to 103 km southwest of Sarangani.

Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity III in General Santos City. However, it said no damage or aftershock was expected from the quake.

Pacquiao hailed as 'Man of the Decade

by abs-cbnNEWS.com


MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing champ and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao was recognized as “Man of the Decade” by People Asia and Philippines Star Media Group.

This recognition was given to the pound-for-pound king for his great contribution in the field of sports and his promise as a politician.

Aside from Pacquiao, other local celebrities who excelled in their corresponding fields were aptly recognized by the media organization.

People Asia and Philippines Star Media Group also gave “People of the Year” awards to several outstanding local personalities.

Included in the chosen few are broadcast journalist Ted Failon, Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup, and Miss World 1st runner-up Gwendolyn Ruais.

Other awardees are Senator Edgardo Angara, Senator Miriam Santiago, Mel Tiangco, Henry Sy, Louie Ocampo, Jun de Leon, Evelyn Singson and National Artist Ben Cabrera. – ABS-CBN News

Sarangani launches filariasis elimination campaign

by CT Apelacio


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, South Cotabato, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Sarangani through its Provincial Health Office (PHO) is stepping up its campaign on the elimination of filariasis (lymphatic filariasis) in the entire province. On Monday, Jan. 16, the province launched its campaign at Nomoh Integrated School in Maasim town. Funded by the Sagittarius Mines, Incorporated (SMI), the P1-million campaign will be implemented throughout the province, said the Provincial Information Office. Governor Mig Dominguez said the province will continue to fight filariasis and other debilitating diseases stressing on the importance of partnership with other stakeholders—the national government agencies, non-governmental organizations and even the private sectors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. The disease is caused by three species of worms, known as filariae. The three species are Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. The infection is usually manifested later in life, even if it was acquired during childhood. Filariae are transmitted by mosquitoes with infective larvae. When a mosquito bites a human host, the parasites are deposited on the person’s skin which later enter the body and migrate to the lymphatic vessels, causing damage, swelling of the vessels and suffering. WHO said the “disfiguring swelling of the legs and genital organs is a classic sign of late-stage disease” cause temporary or permanent disability of a person. The lymphatic system contains immune cells called lymphocytes, which protect the body against harmful viruses and bacteria. PHO said the infection can be treated with drugs unless such condition is already chronic and requires other types of treatment. Drugs to combat filariasis include the combination of “either diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) and albendazole, or ivermectin and albendazole or the regular use of DEC fortified salt can prevent occurrence of new infection and disease.” Health officials said annual mass administration of the drug combination given for five years is the preferred course of treatment. The drugs are recommended to be given to “individuals at risk” such as those residing in filariasis-prone community whether they manifest symptoms or not. In its report, the Department of Health said Filariasis is endemic in the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental. Global statistics also show that “more than 1.3 billion people in 81 countries worldwide are threatened by lymphatic filariasis while over 120 million people are currently infected, with about 40 million disfigured and incapacitated by the disease.” (CTA/PIA General Santos City)





Governor advocates renewed investment policies

by NONOY E. LACSON


ALABEL, Sarangani, Philippines – Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez has expressed apprehension that in about 10 years, the country might lag again in Asia if the national government and the some local government units (LGUs) will continue to manifest mixed signals to prospective foreign investors.

“If the national and the local governments continue to be inconsistent in interpreting laws that affect investments, these investors will just turn to other countries,” Dominguez explained.

He was apparently reacting to queries on the possible effects of certain ordinances in several provinces that continue to threaten foreign investments, like mining.

“The national government should once and for all say whether it is a ‘yes or a no’ to open-pit mining,” Dominguez said.

He said “we have to remember that we are among the hundreds of countries vying for these investments and the investors have the option to go elsewhere.”

Dominguez also said that in the mining industry alone, the move of certain provinces to come up with provincial ordinances that contradict a national law had apparently created a “negative image” for the country.

“It is not about the environmental code, nor even about the mining industry, but about a provincial ordinance contradicting a national government policy,” he said.

Dominguez also said that “this is not about a particular investor or that there are other investors more than willing to take its place but about how consistent our policies are.”

“This is not even about mining at all but about how we treat our investors even in other industries,” he added.

Dominguez also said that it is “wrong to assume that if a particular investor goes away, there are others who are willing to take its place.”

Investors will naturally go to countries where the laws and their interpretation are consistent, he said.

“Let the President or even the High Court, once and for all, resolve the issue if we will allow an open-pit mining or not,” he said.

In another development, after several years of suffering from flood waters in the far-flung village of Lucena in Bahbah, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, local residents in the area can now have a restful sleep because of the completed rehabilitation of Lucena Bridge, its approaches, and slope bank protection implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Residents of Lucena, one of the progressive and rice granary community of Prosperidad are thankful to the government for easing their problem over the years.

They said they are worried each time it rains because stagnant water overflows from the bank, which allegedly contained larva that causes Schistosomiasis or bilharzias reportedly present in the locality.

To address the problem, the DPWH’s Agusan del Sur 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO) mobilized its technical personnel to help the local residents, in an effort to avert more casualties due to flooding and other diseases cause by flood waters.

Last October 13, 2011, the rehabilitation of the Lucena Bridge approaches and slope bank protection was started funded under the DPWH Lump Sum for Calendar Year 2011.

An allocation of P18 million was released to the DPWH’s Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO under the supervision of District Engineer Jaime T. Bernat Sr. as an answer to the increasing concern on health and safety of the populace. (With a report from Mike U. Crismundo)

Sarangani poorest families receive cash assistance

by Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE


ALABEL, Sarangani (January 13, 2012) – Sarangani released cash grants on Thursday (January 12) to augment the income of the poorest families in barangay Domolok thru the conditional cash transfer (CCT) project, a local initiative patterned after the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the national government. 4Ps is a poverty alleviation strategy which provides poor families cash assistance for the health and education needs of their children 0-14 years old. A total of 268 families each received a P500 monthly assistance covering July, August, and September 2011. This first release entitled each beneficiary the sum of P1,500. Governor Migs Dominguez urged beneficiaries to religiously submit to the conditions required of them like sending their children to pre-schools and for pregnant women to avail of the pre-natal services in barangay health centers. Community affairs officer Rene Punzalan explained among the seven towns of Sarangani, only Alabel was not covered by the 4Ps program which prompted the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to initiate local intervention using the Community-Based Management System (CBMS) as a tool to identify the poorest families. CBMS is an organized process of data collection and processing at the local level and of integration of data in local planning, program implementation, and impact monitoring. CBMS identified the barangays of Alegria, Domolok, Datal Anggas, and Paraiso with the most numbered constituents that fall below the poverty threshold. A social welfare indicator revalidated the level of well-being of the 1,261 households of these barangays which revealed that 1,199 or 95 percent did not meet the minimum household income. In short, “these households could hardly eat three meals a day,” Punzalan said. Punzalan, however, pointed out only the remaining five percent or 62 households that belong to the “subsistence” level have met the required daily meals, family bonding, and participated in the community development activities. Punzalan said this initiative became a convergence task of PSWDO, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Provincial Agriculturist’s Office in responding to the basic needs in the communities. Basic requirements like pre-school education and health services are among the conditions that have to be met under CCT. Punzalan said beneficiaries would also be provided poverty reduction interventions such as family development sessions, organization of parent leaders, provision of livelihood trainings and assistance, provision of sanitary toilet, potable water supply, and enrolment to PhilHealth “to ensure that communities are resilient and capable” when they will be out of CCT’s list. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani.

Sarangani poorest families receive cash assistance

by Beverly Paoyon


ALABEL, Sarangani, Jan 13 (PIA) -- Sarangani released cash grants on Thursday (January 12) to augment the income of the poorest families in barangay Domolok thru the conditional cash transfer (CCT) project, a local initiative patterned after the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the national government. 4Ps is a poverty alleviation strategy which provides poor families cash assistance for the health and education needs of their children 0-14 years old. A total of 268 families each received a P500 monthly assistance covering July, August, and September 2011. This first release entitled each beneficiary the sum of P1,500. Governor Migs Dominguez urged beneficiaries to religiously submit to the conditions required of them like sending their children to pre-schools and for pregnant women to avail of the pre-natal services in barangay health centers. Community affairs officer Rene Punzalan explained among the seven towns of Sarangani, only Alabel was not covered by the 4Ps program which prompted the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to initiate local intervention using the Community-Based Management System (CBMS) as a tool to identify the poorest families. CBMS is an organized process of data collection and processing at the local level and of integration of data in local planning, program implementation, and impact monitoring. CBMS identified the barangays of Alegria, Domolok, Datal Anggas, and Paraiso with the most numbered constituents that fall below the poverty threshold. A social welfare indicator revalidated the level of well-being of the 1,261 households of these barangays which revealed that 1,199 or 95 percent did not meet the minimum household income. In short, “these households could hardly eat three meals a day,” Punzalan said. Punzalan, however, pointed out only the remaining five percent or 62 households that belong to the “subsistence” level have met the required daily meals, family bonding, and participated in the community development activities. Punzalan said this initiative became a convergence task of PSWDO, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Provincial Agriculturist’s Office in responding to the basic needs in the communities. Basic requirements like pre-school education and health services are among the conditions that have to be met under CCT. Punzalan said beneficiaries would also be provided poverty reduction interventions such as family development sessions, organization of parent leaders, provision of livelihood trainings and assistance, provision of sanitary toilet, potable water supply, and enrolment to PhilHealth “to ensure that communities are resilient and capable” when they will be out of CCT’s list. (PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City/CTA)

Glan earns ‘Seal of Good Housekeeping’

by PIA Press Release


GLAN, Sarangani, Jan 12 (PIA) -- In recognition of its exemplary performance in governance, transparency and accountability, the local government unit (LGU) of Glan has been chosen as one of recipients of the 2012 Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) awards of the Department of Interior and Local Government. A mechanism that recognizes good performance, the SGH is given to LGUs that have excelled in the areas of planning, budgeting, revenue mobilization, sound fiscal management and budget execution, procurement and resource mobilization, transparency and accountability, and giving value to performance management. An SGH award means that a recipient LGU has religiously complied with all the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act as well as the Full Disclosure Policy of the DILG with regard to project implementation and financial transactions. Aside from topping the standards on full disclosure and transparency, LGU-Glan bagged the award because of its “no adverse findings” from the Commission on Audit, and because of the efficiency in the implementation of its programs and projects. A P1 million incentive from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) is usually given to the best performing LGUs, but, for one reason or another, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo had decided to up the PCF incentive for Glan to P2 million, according to Zorayda Grafilo-Labos, chief, DILG-Glan. “Surely, this is something for Glan to be proud of and another feather in the cap of the administration of Mayor Victor James Yap, Sr.,” she said. She said the incentive is in line with the Millennium Development Goals for the implementation of priority projects designed to boost tourism and local economic development as well as comply with the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and the Ecological and Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. For tourism and local economic development, the projects include school buildings, rural health units, health centers and birthing facilities, roads, bridges, tourism facilities, irrigation systems, post harvest facilities, cold storage facilities, ports and wharves and other economic infrastructures. On the other hand, projects--such as flood control, reforestation, solid waste management facilities, storm drainage and related flood protection---are on tap for Adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness. (GLAN INFO & NEWS SERVICE/PIA GENERAL SANTOS CITY)

7th BIMP-EAGA athletics set

by ALI G. MACABALANG



GEN. SANTOS CITY, Philippines – The 7th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines- East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) friendship sports competition is set here this week, even as local officials hailed the athletic intramurals as a big boost to the development tourism potentials in Region 12.

According to Ricardo Garcia, Philippine Sports Commission chair, the local government units of this city and nearby Sarangani province jointly host the 2012 BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games, the latest in a series of seven episodes.

Garcia said the event is set for official launching Thursday with athletes from the BIMP-EAGA bracing for the Marathon Friendship Run later this week.

The event has been inspired by the recent launching of the country’s tourism slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines” by the Department of Tourism (DoT). The DoT website boosts: ”Wherever you go in the Philippines, it’s the Filipinos that will make your holiday unforgettable.”

According to the PSC, which is organizing the event, BIMP-EAGA countries will each have a team of six runners – four males and two females – for the 42-km marathon.

Hundreds of runners from General Santos and elsewhere in Mindanao are likewise prospected to take part in the 3k, 5k and 10k fun runs that will be open to men and women athletes, a PSC report posted in the Mindanews.com online network said.

Mindanao Development Authority Chair Luwalhati Antonino hailed the event, saying “the Philippines is honored to host the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Run as we endeavor to strengthen our relations within the sub-region through sports development.”

Antonino, concurrent EAGA singing minister, said that heads of delegations and senior sports officials from the four countries are coming to Mindanao with their pools of athletes for the friendly run along the stretch of GenSan to Alabel, Sarangani and back.

Gen. Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene A. Dominguez and World Boxing Champion and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao are set attend the opening rites on Thursday and grace the succeeding games.

Aside from Sarangani and General Santos, Region 12 is also composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Meanwhile, officials and residents of the adjacent Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are wondering why their 22-year-old region now headed by Presidential caretaker Mujiv Hataman is not playing role in the BIMP-EAGA intramurals.

The BIMP-EAGA was created in 1994 on instigation of then President Fidel Ramos to strengthen cooperation among Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines with the goal of spawning increased investments, trade and tourism within this sub-region of the ASEAN. Ramos in a speech had cited the four-nation cooperation as a chance for ARMM to avail of.

Past ARMM officials revived last year the long-stalled trading between Muslim Filipino traders and their counterparts in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, starting initially with trade voyages to Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.





Sarangani capitol women employees receive HPV vaccine dose

by CT Apelacio



ALABEL, Sarangani, Jan 7 (PIA) -- Every woman is a potential risk of getting cervical cancer. Thus, 510 provincial capitol women employees here have received a vaccine on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to protect them from contracting the dreadful disease. The total number of clients, said Jermine Allan Parreño, population project officer of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), also included members of Sarangani Provincial Gender and Development Council (PGADC) and all members of the technical working group. PGADC sponsored the massive provincial capitol vaccination as part of the GAD program year-end activity for 2011. The female employees received their first dose on December 5 last year. The second dose started Thursday and ended Friday (Jan 6). The third dose will be given on July 6. According to Glaxo Smith Kline, in the Philippines, cervical cancer is the second leading killer cancer for women. Worldwide, a woman dies of cervical cancer every 2 minutes. “That’s why women need the vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer. A study pointed out that eight of 10 women get HPV, which is the main cause of cervical cancer,” Parreño stressed adding 12 of Filipino women die everyday from the disease. He described the virus as common that can be acquired from a public toilet or elsewhere “so you see the infection is not necessarily sexual.” According to Glaxo, HPV can easily be transmitted and may be acquired through a skin-to-skin genital contact even stressing that “condom usage” alone cannot give maximum protection from being exposed to HPV. Meanwhile, Josefina Velasco, PGAD focal person said the undertaking was very relevant as GAD program is all about protection and upholding the rights of women. One way to contribute to that upholding of women’s rights is to ensure that our active working women here in the provincial capitol are protected from cervical cancer. “Pwede naman i-prevent kaya gawin na natin hanggang maaga sa pamamagitan ng programang ito at pagbibigay ng bakuna,” Velasco told PIA General Santos City. HPV has at least 30 types, 15 of which are cancer-causing, however, it is HPV types 16 and 18 that “account for more than 70 percent of cervical cancer cases” worldwide. When asked of the importance of the vaccine, Parreño said HPV vaccine targets the two most common cancer-causing types (16 and 18) that infect Filipino women every minute. Since, it is common HPV infection can happen at any given time and age, he said. Sexually active women are the most vulnerable sector as the risk may be present all their lifetime. The risk even gets higher as women get older. So women 26 years and older have a lot to gain from the vaccination, he added. Parreño also said women can still avail of the vaccine even if they have already acquired HPV but the vaccine can not offer any curative benefit and will not change an existing cervical condition. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

Pacquiao buys land for calamity victims

by sunstar.com.ph



BOXING icon and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao bought land in the province for calamity victims in General Santos City.

Pacquiao's public information officer Rose Tamayo told Bombo Radyo that the lawmaker bought a two-hectare land in Tango, Glan town.

The land will be given to 180 families living in Tango, which was hit by calamity last year.

Tamayo said the money used by Pacquiao in buying the land came from his own pocket. (Sunnex)

Sarangani town spurns mining, strengthens tourism development

by (PNA)

FFC/AVE



GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 4 (PNA) – Officials of the coastal municipality of Glan in Sarangani province declared the entire town as off limits to mining ventures as they made a big push for the development of the area’s famed white sand beaches and other eco-tourism resources into a multimillion industry within the next decade. Glan Mayor Victor James Yap Sr. made the declaration after the local government formally adopted the newly-completed Glan Tourism Master Plan as anchor of the town’s socio-economic development initiatives. “Mining will eventually destroy our fine white beaches and other potential tourist spots. So, either we go into tourism or none at all,” he said in a statement. The mayor disclosed that there had been suggestions and moves to let mining companies come in to the area but stressed that he had “put his foot down” on them. “We in the local government believe that tourism remains our best bet for economic development and prosperity, and mining will defeat our purpose because of its potential damage to the environment,” Yap said. Glan is home to the world-class Gumasa white sand beaches, scenic waterfalls and other potential eco-tourism and adventure spots. The town’s famed beaches had been adopted by the Regional Development Council of Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao as among the region’s tourism anchors. Aside from its tourism resources, the town also hosts significant mineral resources such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, limestone, shale, among others. Based on the Region 12 updated mining tenement profile prepared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Region 12, seven companies have applied to mine the town’s mineral resources. The mayor said Glan’s 100-page tourism master plan was completed last month after almost a year of development by a technical working group (TWG) commissioned by the local government. He said the Mindanao Tourism Council (MTC) was mainly responsible for the formulation of the plan, with the TWG providing the data and other vital inputs. It was also assisted by the Asia Foundation and the Notre Dame Business Research Cooperative Foundation, Inc., he said. Yap said the tourism master plan will mainly help guide the local government on how to go about in developing the local tourism industry in a most systematic and judicious manner. “Our approach to tourism development should be one of sustained growth and at the same time protect our environment and other equally vital components of the local economy—agriculture, fishing, livestock, etc.,” the mayor said. Jonallier Perez, MTC secretary and master plan consultant, challenged the local government to implement the plan to the letter and ensure the private sector’s active involvement in its initiatives. “It should be private-public partnership in action,” Perez stressed. Glan Vice Mayor Vivien Yap, who headed the TWG, said they will push for the immediate creation of the town’s Municipal Tourism Office as part of the master plan’s implementation. “Tourism will also get bigger appropriations and other incentives from the local government,” she added. (PNA) FFC/AVE Share this: Facebook

A starry night in Sarangani

by The Philippine Star


MANILA, Philippines - It was a starry, starry night in Sarangani province as it recently celebrated its 19th foundation anniversary and ninth MunaTo Festival. Opening the festivities were Sarangani Rep. and World Boxing Organization welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao and Philippine Councilors’ League national president Alma Moreno who led the launch of the hot air lanterns along with Gov. Miguel Dominguez and provincial officials to symbolize the quest for peace and greater progress.

Also spicing up the festival were Dingdong Dantes and Rochelle Pangilinan at the Pearl of Sarangani beauty pageant, and an evening rock concert featuring Cueshé. GMA Kapuso Network was a major supporter of the event.

Carved out of South Cotabato in 1992, Sarangani is a vital component of the Soccsksargen growth corridor with its vibrant fishing and agro-industrial sectors. Endowed with a rich pre-colonial history and nature’s wonders, it is a melting pot which embraces the Blaan, Tagakaolo, Tboli, Manobo, Ubo, Kalagan and Moro indigenous cultures.






Sarangani town spurns mining, strengthens tourism development

by (PNA)

FFC/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) – Officials of the coastal municipality of Glan in Sarangani province declared the entire town as off limits to mining ventures as they made a big push for the development of the area’s famed white sand beaches and other eco-tourism resources into a multimillion industry within the next decade.

Glan Mayor Victor James Yap Sr. made the declaration after the local government formally adopted the newly-completed Glan Tourism Master Plan as anchor of the town’s socio-economic development initiatives.

“Mining will eventually destroy our fine white beaches and other potential tourist spots. So, either we go into tourism or none at all,” he said in a statement.

The mayor disclosed that there had been suggestions and moves to let mining companies come in to the area but stressed that he had “put his foot down” on them.

“We in the local government believe that tourism remains our best bet for economic development and prosperity, and mining will defeat our purpose because of its potential damage to the environment,” Yap said.

Glan is home to the world-class Gumasa white sand beaches, scenic waterfalls and other potential eco-tourism and adventure spots.

The town’s famed beaches had been adopted by the Regional Development Council of Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao as among the region’s tourism anchors.

Aside from its tourism resources, the town also hosts significant mineral resources such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, limestone, shale, among others.

Based on the Region 12 updated mining tenement profile prepared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Region 12, seven companies have applied to mine the town’s mineral resources.

The mayor said Glan’s 100-page tourism master plan was completed last month after almost a year of development by a technical working group (TWG) commissioned by the local government.

He said the Mindanao Tourism Council (MTC) was mainly responsible for the formulation of the plan, with the TWG providing the data and other vital inputs.

It was also assisted by the Asia Foundation and the Notre Dame Business Research Cooperative Foundation, Inc., he said.

Yap said the tourism master plan will mainly help guide the local government on how to go about in developing the local tourism industry in a most systematic and judicious manner.

“Our approach to tourism development should be one of sustained growth and at the same time protect our environment and other equally vital components of the local economy—agriculture, fishing, livestock, etc.,” the mayor said.

Jonallier Perez, MTC secretary and master plan consultant, challenged the local government to implement the plan to the letter and ensure the private sector’s active involvement in its initiatives.

“It should be private-public partnership in action,” Perez stressed.

Glan Vice Mayor Vivien Yap, who headed the TWG, said they will push for the immediate creation of the town’s Municipal Tourism Office as part of the master plan’s implementation.

“Tourism will also get bigger appropriations and other incentives from the local government,” she added.

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