MAASIM, Sarangani (June 17, 2013) – Mike Maloloy-on (center), alumnus of Maasim Technical Competence Center (MTCC), on Monday (June 17) works with peers in his day-to-day assignment as welder at the construction site of the 105 megawatts (MW) coal-fired power plant project of the Alcantara–led Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) at barangay Kamanga. Construction of the project’s first phase (105 MW) of the 210 MW power facility commenced on February 8 through SEC’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd.. It was targeted to go on commercial stream on 2015 and is seen as part of long-term solution to the Mindanao power crisis. In the construction phase of the project, 1,000 jobs are expected to be generated. To SEC management, giving Maasim applicants utmost priority in the hiring process is a sensitive concern. MTCC partnered with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2010 aiming to provide free education to Maasim’s out-of-school youth. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

MAASIM, Sarangani (June 17, 2013) – Electrical Installation and Maintenance students of Maasim Technical Competence Center (MTCC) do commissioning drill at MTCC Training Center Monday, June 17. Now on its fourth batch, MTCC has produced 315 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Competence (NC) 2 certified graduates. Majority of them are employed at the construction force of Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd., the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor of Alcantara-led Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) which is putting up a 210 Megawatts (MW) coal-fired power plant in Maasim. MTCC was established by SEC in 2010 to address unemployment and underemployment issues challenging the locals. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 17, 2013) – Indigenous People (IP) leaders of Malapatan install Vice Governor-elect Jinkee Pacquiao, wife of Congressman Manny Pacquiao, as “Bae Tnabu Malfatan” (new princess  of Blaan from Malapatan) during the Indigenous Peoples’ Day as part of the 8th Pakaradyan Festival and 44th Foundation Anniversary celebration in front of the municipal hall. The festival ends on Friday. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 12, 2013) – In celebration of Independence Day, high school students join the tree planting activity at barangay Bagacay right after the program and flag ceremony at the Capitol. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 12, 2013) – Capitol employees and officials celebrate the 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and offered wreaths before the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Capitol. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 12, 2013) – Datu Tungko Saikol, regional executive director of Department of  Environment and Natural Resources, and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias join the tree-planting activity on Independence Day at the Calminda Watershed in barangay Bagacay. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 12, 2013) – Sarangani joined the rest of the country Wednesday in the national tree planting day as its highlight activity of the 115th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

Around 10,000 mixed agro forest tree seedlings were planted in two separate areas. Bamboos were planted along riverbanks of Calminda Watershed while Narra, Mahogany and other fruit trees were planted in barangay Bagacay, an upland area of the watershed overlooking Mt. Matutum and Sarangani Bay.

Employees from the Capitol and national line agencies in the province participated in the tree planting led by the provincial environment and natural resources office (PENRO).

The provincial government has created a steering committee and provincial convergence initiative technical secretariat in pursuance to Executive Order No. 03 or the National Greening Program. It supports the greening efforts of the province including the watersheds which are commonly the source of flood waters during heavy rains.

Sarangani is an 80-90 percent public land or grass lands. Environment officer Rolando Tuballes cited this as a great challenge for the province to reforest.

Presently, Tuballes said a program has been conceptualized that would mobilize a tripartite partnership among local government units of the province, the private sector and communities in support of the greening program and the seed banking and nursery project aimed at propagating planting materials.

Meanwhile, the Independence Day celebration this year was anchored on the theme, “Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran,” marking the nation’s independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898.

In a message, Board Member Hermie Galzote encouraged Capitol employees to “sustain that independence that we have by doing the best of us in helping our country Philippines particularly the province of Sarangani and to the people whom we are serving.”

“Sa bawat maliit o malaking naiaambag natin makikita po natin ang unti-unting pag unlad ng ating sariling probinsiya na walang ibang magkakamit ng glory kundi tayong lahat na mga heroes of today’s generation,” he said. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (June 7, 2013) – Sarangani officials headed by Congressman Manny Pacquiao (seated right), Vice Governor and also Governor-elect Steve Chiongbian Solon (seated left) and Vice Governor-–elect Jinkee Pacquiao (seated center) together with Mariter Sayson (seated 2nd from left), provincial general services officer of Sarangani, pose with the national officers of Philippine Association of General Services Officers, Inc. (PAGSO) led by their national president Jerome Solinap (6th right) Friday, June 7. Photo was taken during the 8th PAGSO National Convention with the theme “Sustaining the Gains of an Empowered PAGSO” participated in by over 500 delegates at Family Country Hotel on June 5-8. (Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 7, 2013) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, who is also the Governor-elect, welcomes delegates of 8th Philippine Association of General Services officers (PAGSO) National Convention during the “Sarangani Night, Your Adventure” at the Capitol Gym hosted by the provincial government Thursday, June 6. The 4-day (June 5 – 8)convention is being held at Family Country Hotel and Convention Center in General Santos City. The convention themed “Sustaining the Gains of an Empowered PAGSO” includes activities and technical sessions that will enhance the participants’ capability of providing quality services thereby serving as reliable support to their respective local chief executives. (Aiza Cruz/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

June 10 – 7:00am – Motorcade from Alabel Poblacion Barangay Hall to the Capitol for flag raising ceremony
June 28 – Culmination day with Environmental Variety Show, Konsyerto Para sa Kalikasan, Poster Making, Exhibits, Interpretative Dances and showcase of recycled materials
For more info please call (083) 508-2267/09107715551/09435220904