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Sarangani Province News September 2011

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Philippine News

Philippine mango industry positioning “strongly” in world market

by James Konstantin Galvez


GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani, Sept 30 (PIA)-- Mango industry players are positioning Philippine mango strongly in the world market by maximizing efficiency in the cost service and logistics areas, an industry officer said. Virginia de la Fuente, president of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc., also urged mango stakeholders – mango growers, contract sprayers/financiers, input suppliers, nursery operators, exporters/traders, processors and logistics providers to “unite and actively participate in all our advocacies and undertakings for the improvement of, if not to save our mango industry and position our Philippine mango strongly in the world market.” She appealed to the Department of Agriculture to “empower and capacitate the mango industry associations and for any other industry association for that matter by consulting the industry leaders in planning exercises to prioritize and craft programs, providing reasonable grants to implement and achieve plans through the national organizations and instituting control mechanism.” De la Fuente said Mindanao has the “potential” for mango production with SOCSARGEN (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City) having the largest number of hectarage and production. “Because of this climate change I am now campaigning that mango production will be made here in Mindanao,” de la Fuente told delegates at the 13th National Mango Congress Wednesday (September 28). “Mindanao produces only 35% of the total national production but we have the potential,” she said. Sixty-five percent of the produce is coming from Pangasinan and the rest of Luzon. In a message to the delegates, Rep. Manny Pacquiao said the mango congress is an indication for a stronger partnership to “heighten commitment to increase the competitiveness of the Philippine mango in world market and develop more production areas in Mindanao.” Pacquiao also asked mango industry players “to maximize the production and export potentials of the Philippine mango industry. We will utilize this mango congress as a dynamic platform to learn as much as we can to ensure the strongest position in the world market.” The three-day mango congress being held at world-class Isla Jardin del Mar resort in Gumasa ends on September 30. (PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City/CTA)

Alcantaras plant 5,000 mangroves in Saranggani

by James Konstantin Galvez


THE Philippines’ biggest producer of bangus fry planted 5,000 mangroves in Sarangani Bay as its contribution to the International Coastal Clean-up Month. The Mindanao-based Alcantara group is engaged in aquaculture and agribusiness in Sarangani, power generation and power plant management in Sarangani and Zamboanga, and property development and services in other regions.

It has been an active player in the economic development of Mindanao and other regions for over 50 years. “The agri-business unit of the Alcantara group has been relying on Sarangani Bay, so in return, we would like to preserve and protect the bay not only for our benefit but for the benefit of the people in Sarangani as well,” said Richlie Lyndon Magtulis, executive director of Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc.

Hundreds of volunteers converged at Barangay Poblacion in Malapatan, Sarangani on September 16 to clean up the bay and plant 1,000 seedlings. “This activity is our contribution to the international coastal clean-up celebration and this is also part of the commitment of the Alcantara group of companies to plant 50,000 mangroves all around Sarangani Bay from 2011 to 2013,” said Magtulis.

Officers and personnel of different companies under the Alcantara group participated in the activity along with employees of the Sarangani provincial government, barangay officials, teachers and personnel of the Departments of Education, of Interior and Local Government, as well as the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, the Malapatan Police Station and social welfare beneficiaries.

Pacquiao supports renaming of Sarangani capitol

by Rose Tamayo-Tesoro


BAGUIO CITY ,Philippines – World boxing champion and Sarangani lone district Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao does not oppose the proposed renaming of the Sarangani Provincial Capitol as James L. Chiongbian Capitol Building in honor of the late congressman, who founded it.

“Okay naman sa akin at maganda naman ‘yung move,” said the boxing legend who is training here for his fight with Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez.

The renaming of the provincial capitol, which is provided under Draft Ordinance No. 2011-7-08, said the provincial capitol is one of the prominent infrastructure programs initiated by the late congressman.

The Sarangani capitol building was erected in 1993 and inaugurated in 1996 during the incumbency of Chiongbian's wife Priscilla, as governor.

Sarangani was created as a new province from the third district of South Cotabato in 1992.

The draft ordinance said a space will also be provided outside the provincial capitol building for the institution of a statue, signage, memorabilia, and/or any landmarks representing the late congressman and his accomplishments not only for the province of Sarangani but also the whole Socsargen area

Sarangani to adopt “JLC Capitol Building” tag

by Friday, September 23, 2011


ALABEL, Sarangani, September 23 (PIA) – Sarangani will soon name the Sarangani Provincial Capitol as JLC Capitol Building in honor of its founder, the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian as soon as an ordinance calling for such is passed. The ordinance drafted and jointly sponsored by Board Members Eugene Alzate, Cornelio Martinez, Elmer de Peralta, Alexander Bryan Reganit, Hermie Galzote, Eleanor Saguiguit, Virgilio Clark Tobias, Limuel Gacula, Benedicto Ruiz II, Abdulracman Pangolima, George Perrett, Arman Guili and Victor James Yap Jr. noted that other than the world-class coastal highway, the Provincial Capitol Building serves as a prominent feature of the province’s infrastructure development achieved under the initiative of the late Rep. Chiongbian. Sarangani was created in 1992 as a new province from then the 3rd District of South Cotabato. “As a new province at that time, Congressman James L. Chiongbian tirelessly accessed funds and implemented social and economic infrastructure like farm-to-market roads, bridges, flood control, school buildings, spring and water development, irrigation, municipal hospitals, sea walls and ports,” according to the draft ordinance. “He granted scholarships to poor but deserving students of the province, provided livelihood programs and sponsored and co-sponsored hundreds of House bills with local and national applications.” In addition, the ordinance stated that “enough space” would be provided “outside the main Provincial Capitol building for the institution of a statue, signage, memorabilia, and/or any landmarks representing the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian and his remarkable accomplishments for the Province of Sarangani and the whole SOCSARGEN area.” The ordinance also provides for activities to be conducted honoring the deeds of the late Congressman during foundation anniversaries of the province, with appropriation to be included in the regular subsidy of the provincial government. The Sarangani Provincial Employees Union through its president Anacleto Saya-ang has expressed support to the ordinance. In a letter sent to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Saya-ang said “we in the Sarangani Provincial Employees Union (SPEU) are very much supportive to the draft ordinance of the honorable board members naming the main Provincial Capitol Building of the Provincial Government of Sarangani as Congressman James L. Chiongbian (JLC) Building.” Aside from the creation of Sarangani as a province through Republic Act No. 7228, Congressman Chiongbian also authored Republic Act No. 5412 otherwise known as the Charter of General Santos City. (PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City/CTA

Sarangani project

by JOSEPH JUBELAG


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — The ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., through its “Sagip Kapamilya” program and in partnership with the local government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), will construct an P800,000 worth of school building in a hinterland village in Barangay Datal Tampal in Malungon, Sarangani.

The amount for the two-classroom school project will be provided by the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. while the AFP National Support Command (NADESCOM) and the 1002nd Army Brigade will undertake the construction of the building.

Hundreds join coastal clean-up, mangrove planting

by Cocoy Sexcion


MALAPATAN, Sarangani, September 18 (PIA) -- Hundreds of volunteers gathered at the coast of barangay Poblacion for a coastal clean-up and mangrove planting and growing activity Friday (September 16) in observance of the month-long international coastal clean-up celebration. “Today, we are going to plant 1,000 mangrove seedlings. This activity is our contribution to the international coastal clean-up celebration and this is also part of the commitment of the Alcantara Group of Companies to plant 50,000 mangroves all around Sarangani Bay in the next three years from 2011 to 2013,” said Richlie Lyndon Magtulis, executive director of Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc. (CLAFI). “We are doing this because we are very dependent on Sarangani Bay for our businesses. For almost 50 years, the Agri Business Unit of the Alcantara Group has been relying on Sarangani Bay, so in return, we would like to preserve and protect the bay not only for our benefits but for the benefit of the people in Sarangani as well,” Magtulis added. The event was spearheaded by CLAFI in partnership with the local government of Malapatan and provincial government of Sarangani through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. It was participated in by volunteers from Department of Education, Malapatan Police Station, 73rd Infantry Battalion, social welfare beneficiaries, Department of Interior and Local Government, and barangay officials and employees of the host barangay. “This is all part of our campaign under the peace and development outreach program of the battalion. We are helping the LGUs and the community in the conduct of environmental protection,” said Lt. Nestor Valenzuela, commanding officer of the Alpha Company, 73rd IB. “Rest assured that the 73rd IB will continue to support any activity with regards to preservation and protection of the environment,” he added. In Sarangani, there are 27 different species of mangroves out of the 54 endemic in the whole country, said provincial environment employee Jopy Caneda in his briefing on mangroves and solid waste management. He said that in Sarangani, 300,000 kilos of waste are generated everyday, 70 percent of which are biodegradable and almost 20 percent percent of those that are plastics are thrown in the bay. “Since it’s coastal clean-up celebration, let’s manage our waste and start cleaning our bay,” Caneda said. (PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City/CTA)

Sarangani town holds public dialogue on mining project

by The Philippines Star


SARANGANI , Philippines – Malungon town in this province hosted the other day a public consultation and dialogue between more than 2,000 participants and the proponent of the Tampakan copper-gold project, which is set to be the biggest mine ever to operate in the country.

The public consultation is part of the regulatory process required of Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), government contractor for the Tampakan mine, as it seeks an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for its mining project set to commence operation in 2016.

The transmission lines and pipelines, part of the key facilities for the Tampakan mine, will pass through Malungon town and SMI is required to obtain endorsement from the municipal government.

Malungon town is 37 kilometers north of General Santos City, the nearest city, and belongs to the province of Sarangani.

In an earlier interview with the local media, Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino said the local economy has already felt the initial benefits of the Tampakan mine in terms of livelihood and employment opportunities.

Constantino also emphasized that the project endorsement would come from the community itself with the municipal government merely “exercising” it.

“The people of Malungon will collectively decide if we will support this project or not,” he said.

For his part, Malungon Vice Mayor Benjamin Guilley encouraged the participants to use the activity as an opportunity to dialogue with the project proponent.

Sarangani capitol building to be named after late Rep. James Chiongbian

by(PNA) DCT/scs/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 14 (PNA) – Sarangani’s landmark provincial capitol building will soon be named in honor of the province’s “founding father,” the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian.

Sarangani board member Eugene Alzate said they passed an ordinance during its regular session on Tuesday officially naming the main building of the provincial capitol complex in the province’s capital town of Alabel as the James L. Chiongbian Building.

He said the move was mainly in recognition of the late lawmaker’s pioneering efforts that led to the establishment of Sarangani as a new province in 1992.

“History shows that our province was created through the initiative of Congressman Chiongbian so we deemed it appropriate to dedicate the provincial capitol building in his honor,” Alzate told reporters.

Sarangani was officially established as a new province on March 16, 1992 based on Republic Act No. 7228 authored by Chiongbian, who was then representative of South Cotabato’s third congressional district.

R.A. 7228 carved out seven municipalities under South Cotabato’s third district and created them as a new province.

Chiongbian later served as the first representative of Sarangani’s lone district and his wife Priscilla as its first provincial governor.

Alzate said while serving as Sarangani representative, Chiongbian lobbied for the allocation of P55 million out of the infrastructure funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of the provincial capitol building.

He said the late lawmaker was able to include the funding for the capitol building’s construction in the DPWH’s budget as a member then of the House of Representatives’ public works and appropriations committee.

The whitewashed Sarangani provincial capitol building is considered as among the primary landmarks and tourist attractions of the province.

The building has been dubbed the reenacted “White House” in southern Mindanao with its grand neo-classical design that was reminiscent of the American colonial era provincial capitols.

Meanwhile, Alzate said they have set the re-dedication and marking of the capitol building’s new name during the province’s 9th MunaTo Festival and 19th foundation anniversary celebration in November.

He said the upcoming event will serve as launch pad for Sarangani’s preparations for its 20th anniversary as a province next year.

Mango growers seek market supremacy

by JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL CORRESPONDENT


COTABATO CITY: Sarangani hosts the 13th National Mango Congress that will run from September 28 to 30, the conference lead organizer said on Monday.

Fred Dumasis, president of the Sarangani Federation of Fruit Industry Associations, Inc. said the gathering of mango growers aims to increase the competitiveness of Philippine mangoes in global markets.

“We would like to highlight this sub-region, especially Sarangani, as a viable location for off-season mango production,” Dumasis said.

The congress with the theme, “Positioning the Philippine Mango Strongly in the World Market” will provide updates on export market requirements, the latest production technologies, and best production practices. It will also showcase areas in Mindanao with the potential for mango production.

Japan and Hong Kong remain the biggest buyers of Philippine mangoes, accounting for 51 and 31 percent, respectively, of mango exports, according to the recent report by the Mindanao Fruit Industry Council (MinFruit).

Other countries where Philippine mangoes have gained a market foothold are South Korea, the U.S.A., Singapore and China.

About 500 growers, processors, consolidators, exporters and ancillary service providers from across the country are expected to attend the congress, which will be held in the resort town of Glan in Sarangani Province, an emerging mango producer and tourist destination in Southern Mindanao, according to Dumasis.

Luzon remains the country’s primary producer of carabao mangoes, accounting for 64 percent of production, while Mindanao accounts for 23 percent, according to MinFruit.

Dumasis said that Mindanao’s contiguous production areas and agro-climatic conditions, particularly in the southern part of the region, make it an ideal location for year-round, typhoon-free mango production.

He also emphasized investment opportunities in mango industry support services, such as hot-water treatment and vapor heat treatment plants and packing houses.

The Mango Congress is supported by MinFruit, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID, through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, has partnered with MinFruit and the DA to enhance the production methods used by fruit and vegetable farmers across Mindanao, while linking them with prospective local and foreign buyers.

The conference delegates are also expected to submit recommendations to the national government on how industry stakeholders and government agencies can work together to ensure the mango industry’s continued growth and expansion.

Sarangani, Israel traders forge ties

by Bong S. Sarmiento


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/11 Sept) – Sarangani businessmen have forged a sisterhood pact with their Israeli counterparts on Friday in a bid to boost agriculture using the latter’s advanced technology. The sisterhood pact was signed by the Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SarCham) and the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ICCP), the provincial information office reported. It stipulated that Israel would be “the economic partner for the southern part of the Philippines in realizing a harmonious domestic and international trade and industry, specifically on agri- and aquamarine culture.” Ferdinand Sarfati, ICCP executive director, said Israel has “one of the best technologies in the world specifically on agritech, the foremost among those they could offer aside from tourism.” Israel is just the size of Palawan with 65 percent desert, he said, yet his country was still able to “export fruits, vegetables, and other things” to Europe and North America “by just actually utilizing 35 percent of (our) land area.” This, he explained, was what advancement in technologies could do. ICCP president Josef Gueta said the bilateral relations with Sarangani could have potentials “for developing agriculture and tourism” in the area. Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez noted the success of Israel in many fields of industries, which resulted in breakthroughs in technology, is an advantage not only for Sarangani but for the entire Region 12. “The biggest challenge of Philippine agriculture today lies primarily on the ability to adapt to major trends especially in the use of technology, therefore, Sarangani would make the most out of the agreement with ICCP to “shift to cultural practice to adapting new technologies,” Dominguez said. With effective partnerships and system technology transfer, he expressed hopes that Sarangani would soon be the “front door” for the rest of Mindanao. SarCham president Cherrylin Marie Espinosa expressed optimism that partnering with ICCP would facilitate trade, industrial cooperation, and joint ventures in the future. Nenita Barroso, Department of Trade and Industry director for Sarangani, said the sisterhood pact would also “increase foreign tourist arrivals and tourism investments in Region 12, generate livelihood projects and result to higher market share of Sarangani products.” According to the sisterhood pact, core programs like symposia, seminars, workshops, and business conferences on agri and water technology would be initiated to commence first quarter next year. These activities shall encourage participation from top agricultural players in SOCCSKSARGEN area, exporters, small and medium enterprise, and entrepreneurs. SOCCSKSARGEN or Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos City, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

Sarangani, Israel ties to advance agri-fishery tech

by Beverly Paoyon

ALABEL, Sarangani, Sept 10 (PIA-- The sisterhood agreement between Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SarCham) and Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ICCP) would result to advancement on agri-fishery technology for Sarangani, a trade official said. Engr. Nenita Barroso, trade and industry provincial director, added the sisterhood ties would “increase foreign tourist arrivals and tourism investments in the area (SOCCSKSARGEN), generate livelihood projects and result to higher market share of Sarangani products.” SarCham and ICCP executives signed the sisterhood agreement on Friday (September 9) to expand opportunities for business and trade particularly on agriculture. Ferdinand Sarfati, ICCP executive director, said Israel has “one of the best technologies in the world specifically on agritech,” the foremost among those they could offer aside from tourism. Israel is just the size of Palawan with 65 percent desert, he said, yet his country was still able to “export fruits, vegetables, and other things” to Europe and North America “by just actually utilizing 35 percent of (our) land area.” This, he explained, was what advancement in technologies could do. ICCP president Josef Gueta said the bilateral relations with Sarangani could have potentials “for developing agriculture and tourism” in the area. Governor Migs Dominguez said the success of Israel in many fields of industries which resulted in breakthroughs in technology is an advantage not only for Sarangani but for the entire Region 12. According to the governor, the “biggest challenge of Philippine agriculture today lies primarily on the ability to adapt to major trends especially in the use of technology,” therefore, Sarangani would make the most out of the agreement with ICCP to “shift to cultural practice to adapting new technologies.” With effective partnerships and system technology transfer, Dominguez was hoping that Sarangani would soon be the “front door” for the rest of Mindanao. SarCham president Cherrylin Marie Espinosa expressed optimism that partnering with ICCP would facilitate trade, industrial cooperation, and joint ventures in the future. The agreement stipulated that Israel would be “the economic partner for the southern part of the Philippines in realizing a harmonious domestic and international trade and industry by encouraging business to businessmen working and linkaging” specifically on agri- and aquamarine culture. Core programs like symposia, seminars, workshops, and business conferences on agri and water technology would be initiated to commence first quarter next year. These activities shall encourage participation from top agricultural players in SOCCSKSARGEN area, exporters, small and medium enterprise, and entrepreneurs. SOCCSKSARGEN or Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City. (PIO Sarangani/CTA/PIA General Santos City)

National Greening Program Launched in Sarangani

by Ayel


ABOUT 200 trees were planted as representatives from different sectors gathered yesterday for the launching of the National Greening Program in Sarangani in Sitio Masasato, Bagacay, Alabel, Sarangani Province.

The tree-planting activity was pursuant to Executive Order 26 of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino that mandates the implementation of the National Greening Program to reduce poverty, promote food security, environmental stability and biodiversity conservation, and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation. “The program seeks to plant 1.5 billion seedlings in 1.5 million hectares of public land,” OIC Provincial Environment Officer Eduardo Saladero said during the briefing.

More than 150 participants composed of local government officials, representatives from various government agencies, and students from Alabel National Science High School planted coffee, mahogany, and narra trees in the one hectare of land, owned by former Barangay Captain of Bagacay, Bienvenido Torres.

“Aside from planting trees, we should also mitigate the problem of shifting cultivation or the kaingin system,” Environment Committee Chairman Eleonor Saguiguit said.

From the site of the tree-planting activity, several patches of land with burnt down vegetation can be seen. “We are not only planting trees; we are growing trees,” Saladero explained. ”We have to make sure that these trees will not die.” The local community will be tapped to take care of the trees and they will be recipients of the Conditional Cash Transfer of the Department of Social Welfare in return.

Glan Police Station feted with national award

by Jenefer Heneral


GLAN, Sarangani, September 6 (PIA) -- For bagging the Best Police Station of the Year award for 2010, the Glan Police Station is the current toast of the town. On Monday (September 5), the Barangay Council of Glan Poblacion, headed by Barangay Chairman Nazarius Wata, presented a resolution commending the Glan Police Station for being a national awardee as the Best Municipal Police Station for 2010. “It is befitting to recognize the accomplishment of people who made outstanding performance that brought honor to this municipality… Said feat, as can only be attained with dedication and commitment… is worth emulating and befitting of commendation,” Resolution No. 0027, sponsored by Barangay Kagawad Jose Cania, Jr., read in part. In a report, Chief Inspector Jaime Tabucon, Glan police chief, told Mayor Victor James “Tata” Yap, Sr. that he received the plaque of merit for the award from President Noynoy Aquino himself at Camp Crame in Quezon City last August 8 at the 110th Police Service Anniversary celebration. Tabucon said the Glan Police was adjudged as Best Municipal Police Station in the entire country for its outstanding performance in the field of police operations and administration in line with the PNP’s Integrated Transformation Program, thereby contributing immeasurably to the attainment of the overall mission and objectives of the Philippine National Police. “We are dedicating this award to Mayor Yap, who has been very supportive of all our peace and order programs and activities, particularly on community relations,” said Tabucon. For his part, Yap said the authorities had been successful in crime prevention and law enforcement mainly because of the cooperation of the community, particularly the schools and non-government organizations, resulting in "a citizenry that is vigilant and aware of the goings-on in their community." “I am particularly proud of this award because it came under my watch, in the first year of my administration at that,” said Yap as he praised Tabucon and the entire Glan police force for their “dedication to duty and service.” But Yap said that because of the award, the Glan Police Station “has now an added responsibility to perform better and validate public perception that, indeed, Glan is one of the safest, if not the safest town, to live in in this part of the archipelago.”(GLAN Information Office/PIA General Santos City/CTA)

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