Items filtered by date: September 2022

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 29, 2022) - The provincial government of Sarangani aims to establish a Halal industry in the province which is anticipated to boost local economic development. 

On September 28, a Halal Awareness Forum was held at the Capitol gym. It discussed the significance of Halal, its Islamic perspective, and its cultural and economic gains, with the end goal of establishing a Halal industry in the province. 

The forum was conducted to further inform the Moro communities in the province, especially those in the micro-business industry. These include women's associations, farm organizations, and other concerned sectors.

The forum focused on the importance of Halal in all food and non-food products.

"This forum is very important especially today that food safety and security is bliss," said Atty. Guialil Kanda, president of the Regional Halal Agri-fishery Council of the Department of Agriculture XII.

"When we say Halal, we mean food safety and security," he added. 

According to Atty. Kanda, one of the foundations of Halal is Republic Act 10817 or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016. This law encourages local government units (LGUs) to pursue exporting of Halal products in order to establish and develop the national and local economy.

Kanda hoped the forum will become an avenue "of not just promotion but the start of the participation of agri-fishery and all sectors and associations to join and work together to produce market-ready and export-ready Halal products."

He said Sarangani is rich with "raw materials or products like coconut" but only "lacks an existing Halal marketing facility which will support our export initiatives."

"In the next two or three years," Kanda hoped, "we can have our own Halal industry here in the province."

Katherine Pangolima, Ronda Probinsya SABAP Kauyagan project manager, said the establishment of a Halal industry "will help alleviate poverty in the province," as it would "push for economic development not only of the Moro communities but of all Sarangans," which is among Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao's priority goals.

Vice Governor Dr. Elmer De Peralta also assured the participants of the provincial government's support to the Moro community in this cause. 

"Before my term ends, I assure you, we, your officials, will help promote Halal industry in Sarangani and we will appropriate funds, and craft and pass resolutions and ordinances for Halal," the Sangguniang Panlalawigan presiding officer said.

Jessa Jane Locabarte of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Sarangani) also encouraged the associations and organizations to "aim for global/international standards in doing business in the Halal industry."

Provincial Halal Consultant Ustad Abdurahim Abtahi also discussed the halal and haram in the Islamic perspective to further bring enlightenment to the participants.

Halal is Arabic for permissible or that of which adheres to or allowed in the Islamic law, as defined in the Qur'an, while haram means forbidden or unlawful to the Islamic law. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE) 

Jake T. Narte

GLAN, Sarangani (September 27, 2022) – The Provincial Health Office (PHO), together with the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) headed by Jobelle Pacquiao, launched a medical and dental mission in Barangay Tango on Monday, September 26.

This is in support of the Department of Tourism’s “Sa Booster, Turismo Pinaslakas” campaign in line with the celebration of National Tourism Month, encouraging everyone to be vaccinated and get their dose of booster shots to re-open the tourism industry and add economic activities that may benefit the people of the province.

The event was simultaneously done with the Barangay Bakunahan schedule for Covid-19 which aims to reach the 80% target vaccinated senior citizens and at least 50% of Sarangans have availed of the booster shots.

According to Provincial Immunization Coordinator Maria Razel Bustria, data shows Sarangani is still low in vaccination rate with only 57% vaccinated senior citizens, and only 4% have their booster doses, which she categorized as a high-risk rate for Covid-19 infection, thus strengthening the efforts of encouraging the people to get vaccinated.

Some 400 locals from the five barangays in Glan namely Tango, Lago, Kapatan, Mudan, and Glan-Padidu benefitted from the services offered during the event.

Some of the services offered during the medical mission include Dental Care/Check-up for kids and pregnant women; Tutok Nutrisyon Feeding Program for Kids and IEC on Proper Handwashing; Tutok Buntis Program (with buntis kits from IPI and health kits from Mahintana Foundation); Libreng Gamot (which include vitamins, antibiotics, medicines for coughs, colds, and fever, pain relievers, and maintenance for hypertensive and diabetic person); PhilHealth registration, and Covid-19 vaccination.

The partner organizations who also contributed to the success of the event include the Mahintana Foundation Inc., through its Health Plus Project: Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Program which supported the beneficiaries by giving free medicines; the International Pharmaceutical Inc. (IPI); Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, and the municipal health office of Glan.

In the symbolic administration of Covid-19 booster to a pregnant woman named Rowena Plang, Plang said “Gusto nako mahimo ko nga inspirasyon sa ubang buntis nga mahadlok magpa-booster ug aron mas maging protektado ko sa Covid ug protektado sab akong pamilya.” 

Also present at the event was Dr. Candelaria P. Yap, vice chairperson of the PTC, who also took part in the dental mission.

“Paano nato i-entertain ang mga tourist nga mag-adto diri sa atong mga beaches sa Glan kung kita wala na vaccine ug na-booster? Ang mga turista mahadlok mag-atubang sa atoa. Kung wala’y turista mag-adto diri sa Glan, daghan mawad-an og trabaho,” she said as she encouraged her co-Glanians to get vaccinated and have their booster shots.  

This activity will be a monthly activity of the Sarangani PTC to further boost the tourism industry of the province. (Rozenkranz Espartero/PTC for SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 27, 2022) — Provincial Administrator Ryan Jay Ramos has commended the officers and personnel of the Sarangani Province Police Office for their invaluable efforts in anti-criminality campaigns, enforcement of environmental laws, facilitation in the surrendering of firearms and ammunition, and enforcement of other laws and ordinances to keep the peace and order in the Province of Sarangani.

On behalf of Governor Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao, Atty. Ramos attended the SPPO flag-raising ceremony on September 26 at the SPPO Headquarters.

This is to show support in sustaining the gains of the efforts of the men and women in uniform of the province.

In his speech, Atty. Ramos also highlighted the unwavering performance of SPPO in neutralizing the threats posed by the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) under the leadership of Philippine National Police (PNP) Sarangani Provincial Director, PCol Nicomedes Olaivar Jr.

As an assurance in ensuring the safety of Sarangani and its people, Atty. Ramos recognized the importance of the establishment of a strong relationship of the provincial government with the PNP.

“Sa ngalan po na ating Governor Rogelio Pacquiao and the entire provincial government of Sarangani, I would like to extend our appreciation and support to the service with a H.E.A.R.T. flagship program of our Regional Director PBGen. Jimili Macaraeg for coming up with an innovative initiative in sustaining peace and order," Ramos said.

He also recognized the "PADYAK para sa Kapayapaan” (Pulis at Mamamayan Damayan sa Yaman at Kaunlaran para sa Kapayapaan" initiative which encourages the Sarangans to participate in crime prevention drive in the community.

“Makaaasa kayo na kasama niyo kaming maglilingkod para sa kapakanan ng buong sambayanan,” said Atty. Ramos. (Kia Jane P. Llamas/PADO-PIO)

 Rey Gatcho

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 27, 2022) – A total of 75 beneficiaries availed of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program here on September 26. 

PPG is the government’s post-disaster response mechanism for micro-enterprises that are affected by fire incidents and calamities, including health disasters like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some of the beneficiaries that have availed of the assistance were rebel returnees. 

According to DTI provincial office PPG program support staff Anna Christina Canoy, the main objective of PPG is to assist the beneficiaries to recover and start their business.

Beneficiaries of the program were identified by the assigned business councilor in every municipality, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Army, through a list of eligible beneficiaries they could interview for profiling and further validation to determine the type of starter kit that fits them.

The livelihood kits provided were for a community store, bigasan station, puto cheese station, carpentry, etc. amounting to P8,000 per kit for each beneficiary. 

Eligible beneficiaries had to comply certain documents like business permit. 

In Sarangani, the DTI has assisted a total of 525 beneficiaries through PPG. 

It was launched in Sarangani in May 30 in Alabel, followed by Malapatan, Malungon, Kiamba, Maitum, Glan in different schedules, and in Maasim on September 26. 

To ensure the sustainability of the project, the business councilors will monitor each beneficiary on the progress of their business. 

Marife Labao, 50, a mother of five and a resident of San Juan, Kablacan, expressed her gratitude to DTI. “Malaki ang pasasalamat ko dahil nasali ako dito lalong-lalo na ngayon na ang hanapbuhay namin ay pangingisda at may bagyo. Wala kaming kita.” 

Marife’s house was trampled down by a fallen coconut tree during a typhoon that hit Maasim in October 2021. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

? Tres Besana

KIAMBA, Sarangani (September 27, 2022) - Various national line agencies, men in uniform, and municipal and provincial offices continue to collaborate in bringing public services closer to the people.

On September 26, the Serbisyo Caravan para sa Sarangan, along with the Ronda Probinsya program of Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, conducted its last leg in Kiamba, with Sitio Green Valley in Barangay Nalus as its site.

A total of 937 residents benefited from the activity coming from five sitios including Tabotong with 240 beneficiaries; Lahak-Awa with 143; Green Valley with 244; Tulad with 262; and Banate with 48.

To reach the site from the highway, service providers and officials travelled almost two hours on a rough and muddy road. In this route locals have to pay P190 for a one-way habal-habal ride.

Heavy equipment from the local government of Kiamba were sent in advance on orders of Mayor George Falgui to make sure that vehicles of the service providers could pass through difficult portions.

The Serbisyo Caravan para sa Sarangan commenced in 2021 pursuant to Executive Order No. 70 by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) through institutionalizing the Whole-Of-Nation approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.

Since the caravan started, service providers from different offices and agencies have been to some of the far-flung areas in Sarangani.

Provincial ELCAC focal person Lizette Lopez emphasized the efforts of the service providers, saying that without them, "we can’t bring Serbisyo Caravan into life."

"Sila kasi itong ating pinaka-foundation, our heroes in bringing these basic services dito sa ating mga beneficiaries lalung-lalo na to those who are living in our GIDA (Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas) just like dito sa Nalus," Lopez added.

Staff from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Departments of Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources have provided planting and farm tools, fertilizers, fingerlings, and fruit and vegetable seeds; food packs were provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development; orientation of services and jobs fair from the Department of Labor and Employment; driver’s license registration from the Land Transportation Office; and membership registration helpdesk from PhilHealth, PAG-IBIG, and Social Security System.

The office of Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, through his Serbisyong Sarangan Community Outreach Program, had provided mobility devices such as crutches and wheelchairs. The office of Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta distributed reading glasses.

There were helpdesks and seminars conducted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Trade and Industry, Local Civil Registrar, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Ronda Probinsya Program. Possible housing projects were presented by the National Housing Authority.

The Philippine Statistics Authority provided issuance of civil registry documents; livelihood skills and training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; land tenure and land conflict assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform; and scholarship assistance from the Department of Science and Technology.

The local government of Sarangani conducted rice distribution. Provincial offices, including the provincial veterinarian, legal, health, barangay affairs, disaster risk reduction and management, administrator, information, and agriculture, have also taken their part in the Serbisyo Caravan.

Men in uniform from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, and Reservists secured the safety, peace, and order of the Serbisyo Caravan. Representatives from Davao-based Philippine Air Force distributed buckets of hygiene kits and other basic necessities.

Barangay Nalus is one of the recipients of the P20M funding for barangay projects and programs from the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) under the General Appropriations Act 2022.

According to Barangay Captain Ruben Atiga, the funding was allotted for the ongoing construction of their health center and for concreting portions of roads going to their sitios.

In his message, Governor Pacquiao assured to visit all the 142 barangays in Sarangani to see the situation of the Sarangans, to know their needs and be able to deliver them right to their homes.

“Lisod ang pagpasaka diri sa inyong lugar pero kana dili hinungdan para kita makapoy sa pagpanghatag og klase-klaseng mga serbisyo alang sa atong katawhan,” said Pacquiao.

“Nasugdan naman gyud nato ning challenging nga dalan para maadtuan mo, magsunod-sunod pa ni para napud maadtuan ang uban pa natong mga igsuong Sarangan sa mga lagyong lugar sa ubang parte pa sa atong probinsya,” he added.

Vice Governor De Peralta also urged the residents in Nalus to support the administration of Governor Pacquiao. “Magtinabangay ta para makab-ot nato ang atong pag-asenso, apilan na sad natog pag-ampo ug pagsalig sa Ginoo.”

Present during the Serbisyo Caravan were Mayor Falgui, Vice Mayor Marie Jess Ancheta, Board Member Arnold Abequibel, municipal and barangay officials, Sarangani PNP Provincial Director PCol. Nicomedes Olaivar Jr., 38th Infantry Battalion Commander LtCOL Anhouvic Atilano, Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Jay Ramos, and some provincial department heads.

Through the Department of the Interior and Local Government headed by Provincial Director Engr. Samuel Camaganacan, the Serbisyo Caravan para sa Sarangan has always been successful in delivering public services closer to the people. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

  Jake T. Narte

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 27, 2022) - The Provincial Government of Sarangani turned-over on Monday (September 26) three distiller machines to the Tri-People Agroforestry Farmers (TRIPAF), an association propagating Ylang-Ylang in Maasim.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Sarangani Economic Enterprise Development- Institutional Development Assistance Office (SEED-IDAO) facilitated the acquisition of the P500,000 worth of 20-liter capacity machines back in 2018 for funding under the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Community Empowerment Thru Science and Technology Program.

SEED-IDAO was attached to the office of then Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and now adopted as Social Enterprise Empowerment Development under the flagship program Ronda Probinsya (RP) of Governor Rogelio “Ruel” D. Pacquiao.

Joan Bartulaba, RP-SEED program coordinator, said SEED was originally created to institutionalize people’s organizations (POs) and provide livelihood to POs like TRIPAF which benefited from their convergence initiative with PENRO.

Environment officer Rolando Tuballes said the employment opportunity generated through this project was just an impact of their mandate to rehabilitate denuded areas in the province, wherein Maasim was identified among the areas to grow Ylang-Ylang as their rehabilitation specie. 

Governor Pacquiao, in a message delivered by RP program director Kareen Amlon Saloria, said it is his “hope that this will help the Tri-People Agroforestry Farmers Association members and the people of Maasim and the rest of the Sarangans.” 

“Nais natin na mapaunlad ang produksyon ng Ylang-Ylang essential oil lalo na nang malaman natin na bukod sa napakabango nito, ay may ilang eksperto din na nagbigay ng opinyon na nakakatulong din ito bilang pangpakalma o stress reliever,” he added.

DOST regional office representative Nabel Hadji Yassin then conveyed the message of support of their office and said they are very much willing to assist the association in terms of trainings. 

In a message read by her son Lawrence, former Vice Governor Bridget Chiongbian-Huang thanked DOST “for the support, the technology, and the machine that you have given to this enterprising group. This will make a long way in helping the community.”

She said it was always her vision to bring to Sarangani the best variety of Ylang-Ylang that could be exported to Europe and “create a center where everyone will be benefited by it and will have a long-lasting impact on the lives of the people.” 

It was Huang who brought to Sarangani a kilo of Ylang-Ylang seeds from Anao, Tarlac back in 2005 to produce seedlings which some of it now blooms bouquets of flowers along the highway fronting the Capitol compound.

After the seeds were given to Sarangani, she learned that Anao made an ordinance “prohibiting the donation or selling of seeds outside of Anao to protect their industry.” 

She said Maasim should be “the leader, be the visionary, be the mover, be the example, be the showcase, be the first one to make oil from this flower. But we must have enough trees in Sarangani therefore, we must plant, plant, and plant.” 

TRIPAF president Genoveva Dela Torre said they are encouraging their members and the community to continue planting Ylang-Ylang.

A group of rebel returnees, she said, has already expressed intention to help them propagate Ylang-Ylang. 

The 1,000 seedlings that the PENRO had provided to TRIPAF from the breeds of Ylang-Ylang trees lined fronting the Capitol which were initially planted at Shrine area in Maasim, are now expanded to Barangays Kabatiol, Dalio, Poblacion, Lumasal, Lumatil, Kablacan and Lebe with a total inventory of 1,998 Ylang-Ylang trees. (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

? Tres Besana

SAMAL ISLAND, Davao del Norte (September 26, 2022) – Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao led the ceremonial signing of the commitment to support the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) 2022-2025 of Sarangani Province, which was finalized from September 22 to 23 at the Island Garden City of Samal.

Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, department heads, and special unit heads joined the good governor in fully supporting the proposed projects, priorities, and activities.

The signing of commitment was a manifestation of support to the province in its undertakings and give priority to the discussed development efforts and legislative requirements which are embodied in the ELA 2022-2025.

Governor Pacquiao thanked all the department heads for giving their full effort and urged them to collaborate and build a strong partnership to achieve a "dynamic, resilient, and progressive Sarangani."

"Let us unlock our communication. Each one of us is important. Your voice is important, so let us maximize our capability. We have to be open. We think of our people. We have to take care of our people," Governor Pacquiao said.

"Let us translate our plans into actions og matabo lang ni kung kitang tanan magtinabangay og i-value ang role sa matag usa sa atong opisina kay tanan kita vital para ma-realize ang atong visions para sa matag Sarangan," the good governor added.

Vice Governor De Peralta gave a reminder that “life without vision is nothing.”

“With this accomplishment, we have formulated here, every time we go on and implement our programs, projects and activities, let us always go back to our vision because our vision will be our direction towards achieving our goals,” said De Peralta.

ELA is a term-based plan culled out from the comprehensive development plan, which contains the major development thrusts and priorities of both the executive and legislative branches for the three-year term of office.

It is also an instrument that embodies strategic plans for all projects, activities, and programs to be implemented by the executive with their counterpart laws and ordinances enacted by the legislative. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 Jake T. Narte

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 26, 2022) - Government employees and public servants from various local government units and government agencies of Sarangani and General Santos City convened on September 23 at the Capitol gym to celebrate the 122nd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA).

The 122nd PCSA celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1050, series of 1997 declaring the month of September as the Civil Service Month.

The event was spearheaded by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) along with the Council of Human Resource Management Practitioners (CHRMP), Inc.

CSC XII Assistant Regional Director Atty. Venus Bumanlag said the CSC was glad that the 122nd PCSA was held face-to-face this year after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Atty. Bumanlag, who was also the resource speaker during the event, discussed to the participants the RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; the RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery; and the Executive Order No. 292 or the Grounds for Disciplinary Action. 

It was in 2021 that the CSC introduced the 10-year overarching theme, Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant Heroes. 

The theme reflects the collective experience of the government workforce in the new normal, and in pushing for digital transformation and innovations to uphold public service excellence and continuity.

During the program, several public servants participated in the quiz bee competition and showcased their talents in the Talentadong HR. 

There was a blood-letting activity and some participants availed of the Covid-19 booster shots facilitated by the Philippine Red Cross and the Provincial Health Office.

Mayor Vic Paul Salarda welcomed the participants as the municipality of Alabel hosted this year’s celebration. 

Mayor Salarda encouraged his co-public servants to “remain steadfast in our dedication and responsibility to serve the fellowmen and the nation, knowing that we are the grassroot basis of the success or failure of our government.”

CSC SarGen Field Director Edna Nebrija-Mahinay commended and acknowledged the active participation and contribution of the LGUs in the success of the 122nd PCSA celebration.

Participating LGUs and government institutions include LGU Alabel, LGU Sarangani, LGU General Santos City, LGU Malapatan, LGU Maasim, DepEd Gensan, DepEd Sarangani, Glan Water District, Gensan Water District, Bureau of Fire Protection, CAAP Gensan, and Mindanao State University-Gensan. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

?Tres Besana and Mosler Paul Lapore

The activity was being participated in by Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquaio, Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, department heads, and section chiefs.

It was facilitated by the Provincial Planning and Development Office, headed by Engr. Alain Alcala.

On day one, the presentation focused on the economic, social, and infrastructure developments; environmental management; and the Ronda Probinsya flagship program of Governor Pacquiao.

The issues and concerns of the departments involved in the sectors discussed were identified. Possible solutions were then determined.

Governor Pacquiao gave his insights on the matters discussed, while Vice Governor De Peralta emphasized the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's full support.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director, Engr. Samuel Camaganacan, was also present during the activity.

ELA is a planning document mutually developed and agreed upon by the executive and legislative departments of an LGU for its elective officials’ three-year term of office.

It is also an instrument that embodies strategic plans for all projects, activities, and programs to be implemented by the executive with their counterpart laws and ordinances enacted by the legislative. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

? Jake T. Narte