MAITUM, Sarangani (May 3, 2013) – Recipients from barangay Tuanadatu led by barangay councilor Maimona Tuanadatu (3rd from right) receive 5,000 fingerlings of tilapia Thursday, May 2, from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) staff Alvin Tagbac. Tuanadatu is Maitum’s farthest village. Earlier in the day, BFAR personnel conducted training on grow-out culture practices and management of tilapia in pond at the municipal auditorium. The training was attended by 30 participants from different barangays of Maitum. (Joylyn Ty/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (May 2, 2013) – Kris Aquino discloses an ongoing business deal for a resort development in one of the coves of Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani during a press conference she facilitated Thursday, May 2, for senatorial bets Grace Poe (left) and Sen. Chiz Escudero (right) at MICROTEL Gensan. Also in photo is City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio (2nd from right) who is running for re-election. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival in Gumasa on May 24-25, 2013)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 30, 2013) – The Sarangani Martials Arts Studio for Health (SMASH) team from Glan, Sarangani emerged as champion among five competing teams at the 1st Central Mindanao Pencak Silat friendship games held at SM Mall of Gensan Saturday, April 27. The young fighters from Central Mindanao played Pencak Silat, a non-aggressive martial arts which is now gaining popularity within Southeast Asia and beyond. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

MAITUM, Sarangani (April 29, 2013) – Kids of Batian Primary School actively listen and participate as their youth volunteers ask them some questions about their lesson in the middle of their ”Sarangani Big Brother (SBB): Reading is Fun! – Season 6″ summer reading class monitoring at barangay Batian Friday, April 26. Barangay Batian is one of the most remote areas of Maitum and is reached only by habal-habal (passenger motorcycle). SBB is a 15-day, whole day, remedial reading program implemented in partnership with the Alcantara Foundation, the Department of Education, Quality Education for Sarangani Today and Sangguniang Kabataan.(Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (April 26, 2013) – A volunteer reads the story of “Monster Basura” to learners in Tuyan Elementary School during a reading session Friday, April 26, of “Sarangani Big Brother: Reading is Fun! – Season 6”, a component program of Quality Education for Sarangani Today of the Provincial Governor’s Office. QUEST is a 2012 Galing Pook winner for innovative governance and excellence. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 26, 2013) – Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) together with Jinkee Pacquiao (right), representing Rep. Manny Pacquiao, awards a P20,000 check to Lun Padidu Kawas Generation Tricycle Operators Drivers Association (LUPKAGENTODA)during the ceremonial turnover and personality development, productivity and customer service seminar at Pacman Stadium Tuesday, April 23. The financial assistance is intended for the proposed autoshop and spare parts business of LUPKAGENTODA. (Aiza Cruz/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 26, 2013) – Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon leads the oath taking ceremony for the newly-elected officials of Sarangani Transport Alliance for Reforms and True Development (STARTED) at Pacman Stadium Tuesday, April 23, during the personality development, productivity and customer service seminar participated in by over 300 transport members from Sarangani. This activity was spearheaded by Strengthening Technological Advancement for Reforms (STAR) project under the Office of the Vice Governor in partnership with Rep. Manny Pacquiao which aims to uplift the awareness of transport members on productivity habits, personality development and quality customer service which are contributory to efficient and competitive transport sector of the province. (Aiza Cruz/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 26, 2013) – The Malapatan delegation, which emerged as Musabaqah overall champion, poses with Governor Migs Dominguez and Madaris facilitators at the closing ceremony of the intramurals and OlymPeace Thursday, April 25. The Maasim contingent was 1st runner-up; Maitum group was 2nd runner-up; and 3rd runner-up was Glan delegation. The 4th Provincial Musabaqah was held April 23-25 at the Capitol grounds. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 26, 2013) – The International and Local Monitoring Team (IMT/LMT) dominated by four points its close opponent Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) team, 54-50, in Mindanao’s first OlymPeace basketball championship held here Thursday (April 25).

Both teams got tied in the first quarter but IMT/LMT struggled to take the lead in succeeding quarters and ruled the game from there on.

The OlymPeace is the first-ever friendly athletic competition in Mindanao played by different teams from Sarangani’s peace stakeholders like the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Moro National Liberation Front, MILF, International and Local Monitoring Team, provincial government and tri-media from General Santos City.

The IMT monitors the implementation of the Agreement on Peace between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF.

Peace program officer Jocelyn Kanda explained it was the “inspiration of partnership” that made the OlymPeace possible. Working closely with the military, the MNLF and MILF inspired the Kalinaw Sarangani Unit which Kanda heads to hold the OlymPeace, reportedly the first yet in Mindanao.
The OlymPeace, she said, “promotes harmonious co-existence.  This is one act of promoting culture of peace” in Sarangani.

The OlymPeace was part of the April 23-25 Musabaqah at the Capitol grounds attended by some 4,000 guests and delegates from the 49 Islamic schools in Sarangani. This year’s Musabaqah or intramurals was held to develop sportsmanship among Muslim youth through academic and athletic competitions. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 25, 203) – Madaris facilitators showcase Muslim delicacies during the Provincial Musabaqah and OlymPeace 2013 at the Capitol grounds Thursday, April 25. Sarangani has been holding Provincial Musabaqahs (intramurals) since 2006. This year, the provincial government integrated OlymPeace, a friendly athletic competition participated in by different teams from PLGU, AFP, PNP, International Monitoring Team, Local Monitoring Team, rebel returnees, MILF and MNLF. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 24, 2013) – A 26-person delegation from Sri Lanka is visiting Sarangani for “knowledge sharing” on the implementation of its internationally-funded rural microenterprises program that sought to lessen poverty incidence in the province.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1977 dedicated to eradicating rural poverty, is supporting this Rural Microenterprise Promotions Programme (RuMEPP) in Rome, Italy and Philippines.

Sarangani is among the 20 Philippine provinces piloting RuMEPP.

RuMEPP seeks to lower rural poverty thru increased economic development, job creation, and enhancement of incomes for poor rural households by encouraging profitable and sustainable micro enterprises (MEs).

Governor Migs Dominguez said though the national government always measures its gross domestic product (GDP) “in large billion dollar investments yet it failed to note that 80 percent of the GDP in the country is made up of small micro enterprises” that operate day to day.

Therefore, Sarangani microenterprises are trying to bring inclusive development, inclusive job generation thru microenterprises focusing on what advantages this community is at and looking at market-driven approach so that specific communities servicing specific requirements cope up with the demands of consumers.

The governor said having “adequate micro financing” is most crucial in shepherding these communities. Sri Lanka and Sarangani may consider each other’s knowledge on micro finance enterprises.

Delegation team leader Prathapa Singhe said Sri Lanka is focused more on the fishing industry. He hoped to learn from their three-day tour (April 23-25) more experiences in the various micro enterprises implemented in the province which they could apply in building “very good sustainable development.”

Sri Lanka is a beneficiary of IFAD-funded rural microenterprise projects where its National Agribusiness Development Programme’s direction is aimed at providing small farmers with necessary financial and technological assistance, engaging them to actively participate in agricultural value chains, and eliminate poverty and improve the livelihoods in the rural sector.

As a pilot project, MEs in Sarangani formally started in 2009 but most of the projects were implemented in 2010.

When RuMEPP came in, the poverty incidence of Sarangani was at 62.1 percent which was at that time included among the poorest in the country.

In 2011, however, Department of Trade and Industry provincial director Engr. Nenita Barroso reported Sarangani’s ranking went down to 46 percent which she pointed out RuMEPP projects “contributed also to the lowering of our poverty in Sarangani.”

From the 12 priority sectors indentified for Sarangani, RuMEPP only focused its support to the vegetable industry, processed foods, crops, bamboo, banana and coconut. In the entire country there are 34 priority industry clusters identified while Region 12 has 25.

MEs implemented in convergence with both the private and public sectors since 2010 have all been completed according to Barroso. She cited 2,134 micro entrepreneur recipients for the project and a total of 2,497 jobs created in the province. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 23, 2013) – Vykintas Lideikis of team IMT (International Monitoring Team) penetrates to the basket as Richard Basilio of team TRI-MEDIA falls while trying to block him during the elimination round Tuesday, April 23, of the friendly competition dubbed as OlymPeace among the province’s local peace partners namely the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, former rebels and the tri-media. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 23, 2013) – The 4th Provincial Musabaqah with the OlymPeace 2013 as highlight opens with a parade Tuesday, April 23, at the Capitol grounds. The parade was accompanied by a police brass band. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 23, 2013) – Undersecretary Nabil Tan, head of Mindanao Coordinating Office, Office of the Executive Secretary, lauds Sarangani’s “promotion of the cultural peace in enhancing the education of our children” during the opening program of the 4th Provincial Musabaqah at the Capitol gymnasium Tuesday, April 23. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)

ALABEL, Sarangani (April 23, 2013) – Governor Migs Dominguez welcomes Sri Lankan visitors Tuesday, April 23, at the Capitol’s conference room. The 26-man delegation from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will conduct knowledge sharing on the implementation of Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program (RUMEPP) in the province. RUMEPP is a seven-year poverty alleviation project of IFAD with the Department of Trade and Industry and United Nations Office for Project Services as cooperation institutions. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 24-25, 2013)