CONTENTS THE GOODWILL
Philippine Women’s Month Juana: Ikaw na!
Tacurong implements 1st BUB-funded project in SK Talakudong shines in Dinagyang
Find out how Tribu Talakudong captured the Dinagyang crowd
Transparency At Work LGU Full Budget Disclosure
TaTac Good News
A dose of good news from different LGU offices
1 6 10 14 20
2 Private sector donates ‘motorcycles for peace’ 3 Women dominate skills training ‘14 4 65th Patronal Fiesta: In photos 5 Two easy steps to renew your business permit 7 Tacurong among Top 12 Champs for Health Governance 8 Sangguniang Panlungsod Corner 9 Public consultation on Health and Sanitation Code 12 Talakudong - Dinagyang Chronicles: In Photos 13 Tribu Talakudong:
Creating Lasting Impressions in Dinagyang
17 What is Busog Lusog Talino & Kusina ng Kalinga? 18 Iwas-Sunog Tips 19 What’s in store for the country’s future jobseekers? 21 Proud Taga-Tac
About theCover In the cover are women leaders in the City of Tacurong including Mayor Lina O. Montilla, Councilors Psyche Sucaldito and Charito Collado, heads of LGU offices, and PNP-Tacurong officials. The maiden issue of The Goodwill for Year 2015 celebrates women power in public service. This issue is a tribute to all women in the service who works with utmost dedication, honesty, and fairness. We salute all women whose excellent efforts contribute to nation-building.
Editorial Board Managing Editor Jezereel Louise C. Billano. Consulting Editor Allan S. Freno. Photographers Jorjohn C. Cajandig. Paul Allan Aque. Writers Allan S. Freno. Jezereel Louise C. Billano. Contributors. Jan Leslie L. Latiza. Kathy Mae Robles-Catalan. Kristel Joy H. Decipolo. Analou Joy P. Buendicho. Proofreader Jan Leslie L. Latiza. Layout Jezereel Louise C. Billano. Cover Design & Layout. Paul Allan Aque. Editorial Adviser Lina O. Montilla.
Maligayang Buwan ng Kababaihan!
GAD Code. In 2013, the Tacurong Gender and Development Code was passed. Tacurong GAD Code aims to safeguard women from gender disparities that deprive them of equal opportunities to enjoy rights and fundamental freedom. The ordinance was sponsored by Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito.
VAWC Helpdesks. The LGU, through its City Social Welfare and Development
Office and Crisis Intervention Center for Women and Children, strengthens VAWC helpdesks (Violence against Women & Children) in barangay centers by conducting capacity-building activities for helpdesk personnel.
Philippine Women’s Month celebration in Tacurong City included various activities such as: (clockwise) a forum on Women Leadership, Power, and Decision-Making; Search for Dabyana ng mga Kababaihan; an Advocacy Walk and Zumba session participated by national line agencies and barangays; and a Pop Dance Contest for women in the barangays. The activities were spearheaded by the Local Women Development Council and City Social Welfare and Development Office. The SP Committee on Women chaired by Hon. Charito Collado also backed the conduct of said activities.
Juana, Ikaw Na!
Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na!
City Birthing Home to give away 1,000 kits for moms & newborn babies
From left: Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, and Mayor Lina O. Montilla distribute newborn kits to mothers in the City Birthing Home on April 10, 2015.
Starting April, mothers who will give birth in the City Birthing Home will receive newborn kits for free. One thousand (1,000) kits were formally turned over by Mayor Lina O. Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, and Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon to the City Birthing Home personnel on April 10, 2015. Each kit contains: alcohol, baby soap, cotton, cotton buds, adult and baby diapers, baby linen, mittens, socks, cap, and baby shirt. Funds used for the purchase of said kits were sourced out from PhilHealth Maternal Care Package (MCP) reimbursements. “We hope that when the 1,000 kits run out, we will be able to purchase new ones for more mothers who will give birth in this facility,” said Montilla. Goodwill Magazine l 1
Private sector donates ‘motorcycles for peace’ “Ang commitment po ng Eugenio family at Rotary Club ay magbigay ng dalawang motor sa PNP at Task Force Talakudong sa loob ng tatlong taon para makatulong sa kanilang peace efforts.” These were the words of Dr. Dante Eugenio as his family and the Rotary Club of Tacurong turned over two units of HONDA XR-125 motorcycles to the Tacurong City Police Office and the to the Joint Task Force Talakudong on February 9, 2015 during the LGU flag-raising ceremony. “Karamihan po sa atin dito ay dito na pinanganak at lumaki sa Tacurong. Wala po siguro sa atin dito na may gusto na magulo ang ating lugar. Gusto natin na nakakatulog tayo ng mahimbing, may peace of mind tayo dito,” Dr. Dante said. City Peace and Order Council Chairperson Mayor Lina O. Montilla thanked the donors for their generosity.
Darielle Eugenio, 4, turns over the motorcycle keys to Mayor Lina O. Montilla on February 9.
“Last October 2014 pa sana ito, so asahan po ninyo na may darating ulit around October this year,” Dr. Eugenio added. It was on October 2014 when Dr. Eugenio pledged to donate the motorcycles in time with the celebration of her daughter Darielle’s 4th birthday. -JLCBillano
DOLE earmarks P748K for 106 families’ livelihood
Mayor Lina O. Montilla receives P748-thousand check from DOLE XII Director Ofelia Domingo on February 17. The Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE allotted P748,000.00 worth of livelihood aid for 106 parents whose children are engaged in child labor or at risk of child labor in Tacurong. Each family will receive aid based on their submitted business proposals. Among the ventures proposed by the families and were approved by DOLE are dressmaking, carpentry, welding, rice trading, vulcanizing, food processing, and vending. Through the livelihood project, the beneficiaries can start
2 l Goodwill Magazine
their own business or augment the income of their existing economic enterprises. With sufficient income, the parents cannot anymore compel their children to work. Instead of engaging themselves in child labor, the children can devote their time in school. Beneficiaries of said aid are residents of barangays Poblacion, San Pablo, New Isabela, EJC Montilla, and Griño. Governments of these five barangays signed into a Memorandum of Understanding against child labor and childtrafficking with DOLE, LGU Tacurong City, City Schools Division, and Philippine National Police on June 2014. The livelihood assistance is under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment (DILEEP) Program, which aims to provide beneficiaries with tools and jigs needed to start their livelihood or augment their existing source of income. On behalf of the city government, Mayor Lina O. Montilla received the P748 thousand-check from OIC DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo on February 17, 2015. Among those who witnessed the turnover ceremony were DOLE 12 Technical Services and Support Division (TSSD) Officer In Charge Ruby Carrasco, DOLE Sultan Kudarat Field Officer Edwin Morales, DOLE 12 Livelihood Focal Person Grace Pauya, DOLE SK Livelihood Focal Person Mikki Cajandig, LGU-Tacurong PESO Manager Allan Freno, City Accountant Elma Bides, and City Treasury staff Wilfredo Azucena. - ASFreno
Luciano Angao and his son with the livelihood aid donated by RAC-Talakudong.
NGO kickstarts PWD livelihood Mr. Richard Larupay of Barangay Tina and Mr. Luciano Angao of Barangay San Antonio, both with visual disabilities, can soon start their very own vulcanizing businesses. The Rotaract Club of Talakudong (RAC-Talakudong) turned over the vulcanizing tools and equipment in time for the celebration of the World Rotaract Week on March 12, 2015. Aside from tools and equipment, each beneficiary received twelve kilos of rice. Larupay and Angao were the beneficiaries of RAC-Talakudong’s fund-raising event dubbed Rotarock: Battle of the Bands for A Cause on December 2014. The beneficiaries were chosen through the help of the City Disability Affairs Committee. The Committee will also assist RACTalakudong in monitoring the status of beneficiaries. “PWDs have potentials like all of us. They must be empowered to help their families and their communities,” said RAC-Talakudong President Jezereel Billano.
DTI BEEFS UP WOMEN Enterprise Members of the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Tacurong City received equipment and tools amounting to more than P800 Thousand for their meat/food processing livelihood project under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) Project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The project, funded by the DTI, was realized through the help of the Office for Agriculture Services and other stakeholders in the city government. DTI OIC Provincial Director Felisa Sinobago turned over the facilities to the RIC members during the LGU flag ceremony January 19, 2015. RIC’s Meat Processing Center was formally turned over by the DTI on March 31, 2015. - ASFreno Members of the Rural Improvement Club, and DTI LGU representatives during the turnover of 800 thousand peso-worth of tools and equipment for the Club’s enterprise development.
Total number of graduates; categorized according to skills acquired Source: Tacurong City Social Welfare and Development Office
Women dominate skills training ‘14 More and more women are deciding to develop their skills for livelihood. Out of 450 individuals who graduated from various skills training conducted by the City Social Welfare and Development Office in 2014, 256 or 57% were women. “By being able to contribute to the income of the family through their newly-developed skills, women become empowered,” said Eufemia Robles, CSWD Officer. - JLCBillano Goodwill Magazine l 3
65th
Patronal Fiesta
Nuestra Señora Dela Candelaria Parish
ALAY LINISMaria para kay
January 1, 2015
ALAY LINIS PARA KAY MARIA participants: LGU-Tacurong, Task Force Talakudong, PNP-Tacurong, BFP, BJMP, EORA, SUKELCO, SKWD, Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of Tacurong, the academe, Nuestra Señora Dela Candelaria parishioners, and households in the city.
A clean-up drive in major city canals was part of the celebration of the city’s Patronal Fiesta of Nuestra Señora Dela Candelaria Parish celebrated on February 02, 2015.
Fest ival
CANDELA
February 1, 2015
Eight floats from five parish clusters, the LGU, SUKELCO, and NDTC joined the Candela Festival procession. Parishioners of the Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria filled the streets of Tacurong with candles symbolizing their devotion.
VALENCIANA Fiesta Bonanza February 2, 2015
4 l Goodwill Magazine
Different clusters of the parish offered their Best Valenciana recipes to the public. Valenciana recipes were lined up in the streets, from the Catholic Church to the City Hall compund.
TWO STEPS TO RENEW YOUR BUSINESS PERMIT Renew your permits for only an hour and thirty minutes with two easy steps! Step 1. Business owners submit all required documents to the LGU’s License Section. If requirements are complete, LGU personnel encode business data. Step 2. Business owners to proceed to the Treasury Office to submit and pay their Tax Assessment. The business owner then receives the business permit from the personnel of the Treasury Office.
2014 Tax Collection: 106.4% efficient LGU-Tacurong City’s tax and non-tax collection efficiency reached 106.4% for FY 2014, says a report from the City Treasurer’s Office. The CTO actual collection amounted to P82.9 million, greater than the target collection of P77.9 million. Of the P82.9 million total collections, 31.5 million pesos are tax revenues. On the other hand, nontax revenue collection amounted to P51.4 million. “Nagpapasalamat ang CTO sa lahat ng opisinang tumutulong sa revenue collection at enforcement,” said City Treasurer Jessie Batchar. Tax revenues include real property tax and business and other taxes while non-tax revenues include regulatory fees, service or user charges, and receipts from economic enterprises and other fees.
2015 Business One-Stop Shop earns P9.4M The month-long Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) of LGU Tacurong City on January 2015 collected a total amount of P9,467,852.21 from 1,179 business establishments, according to the report of the Office of the City Treasurer. This amount is already 61% of the LGU’s P15.5 Million target collection on business taxes for the fiscal year 2015. Mayor Lina O. Montilla congratulated the BOSS team and also thanked the agencies that regularly join the program every year. The mayor also noted that BOSS’ success manifests businessmen’s trust in the LGU. “Makita naton nga ang mga businessman sa Tacurong, naga-suporta guid sa LGU. Ma-feel naton nga may salig sila sa city government and rest assured..nga ang ila taxes nagakadto guid sa tama..wala ginauyangan..hindi sa pipila ka tao kundi sa mga proyekto,” said Montilla. -JLCBillano
Infra Bliss.
In 2014, the LGU through the City Engineering Office (CEO)completed 125 infrastructure projects to cater the needs of the growing population. Out of 125, a total of 61 projects on school buildings and roads were completed as shown in the figure below. CEO is headed by Engineer Catherine Leguro. Construction of School Buildings [2] Repair & Maintenance (R/M) of School Buildings [20] Concreting of Brgy./City/Farm-to-Market Roads [13]
TOTAL 61
R/M of Brgy./City/ Farm-to-Market Roads [26]
Source: 2014 CEO Annual Accomplishment Report
The City Engineering Office also constructed a retaining wall at Purok Paraiso in Barangay Lancheta. A retaining wall is a structure designed and constructed to prevent soil erosion. Goodwill Magazine l 5
Service Excellence.
Personnel from DILG Central Office visited Tacurong City on March 6 for the evaluation of the city’s Citizen Priority Action Plan, the offshoot of the action planning done by the LGU to sustain the positive gains of the Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) project. In 2014, Tacurong ranked 3rd in the country among cities with highest citizen satisfaction on service delivery for the survey year 2013.
Tacurong implements first BUB-funded project in SK The City Government of Tacurong and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) launched the Motorcycle/ Small Engine Servicing NCII training on March 31, 2015. The skills training, which will benefit 149 tricycle drivers and out-of-school youth, is the first project in Sultan Kudarat funded through Bottom-Up Budgeting or BUB, according to TESDA Provincial Director Reynaldo Bernal. City Local Government Operations Officer Alberto Sero, Jr. was also happy to note that Tacurong is one of the earliest LGUs in Region XII to implement projects under the 2015 BUB programs.
BUB is formerly known as Grassroots Participatory Budgeting program. The budget for the training, downloaded to TESDA by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be used by the former to pay for the training expenses amounting to more than P5 thousand per trainee. TESDA identified Centerpoint College of Arts and Sciences as the training center since it is the only school in the city offering Small Engine Servicing. In addition to the free training, the trainees who will complete the program shall receive more than P1,400-allowance from the city government. They will also receive free toolkits that they can use to start their own economic enterprise. -ASFreno
LGU-TACURONG receives
Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance
The City of Tacurong is one of the thirty-five (35) local goverment units conferred with the 2014 Seal of ChildFriendly Local Governance in Region XII. This is based on the results Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) endorsed by the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (CWC) to the National CWC. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted said CFLGA in 2014. CFLGA will now be conducted annually to serve as a major tool in 6 l Goodwill Magazine
assessing the LGU performance in the delivery of child and youth welfare services. As a recipient of the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance, Tacurong was shortlisted for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities in 2015. - JLCBillano
The best way to find
yourself lose yourself is to
in the
service of others.
Mahatma Gandhi
In the photo: DILG XII Regional Director Reynaldo S. Bungubung (center, right) turns over the list of projects under the Bottom-Up Budgeting Program to Bishop Colin S. Bagaforo during the UBAS launching in Tacurong.
Tacurong City
‘Para sa akin, napapanahon na ang Ugnayang Barangay at Simbahan..itong UBAS para mas mapalakas ang grassroots,’ said Elvira Parreño, 64, a GKK (Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban) official of Barangay Griño.
launches
Nanay Elvira arrived early at the Tacurong City Cultural and Sports Center on February 26, eager to witness the launching of UBAS with other GKK and the city’s faith-based groups. ‘UBAS as a movement aims to instill the importance of active people’s participation,’ said Director Leocadio Trovela of the National Barangay Operations Office - Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
‘Sa UBAS, ang pakikilahok natin ay magiging mas makabuluhan sa usapin ng pamamahala,’ he added. Director Trovela as well congratulated Tacurong for being one of the pioneers of UBAS in Mindanao. Trovela graced the launching on behalf of Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas.
During the launch, the DILG, Archdiocese of Cotabato, Interfaith Group of Tacurong, and Liga ng mga Barangay signed into a Memorandum of Agreement for the UBAS to officially take effect in the City of Tacurong. - JLCBillano
Tacurong among Top 12 Champions for Health Governance The Local Government Unit of Tacurong City made it to the TOP 12 LGUs shortlisted for the Champions for Health Governance (CHG) Awards of the Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, and the Ateneo School of Government. The results were published by the sponsoring organizations on April 1, 2015. The Top 12 were shortlisted from various LGUs nationwide that submitted portfolios on their health governance best practices and accomplishments from CY 2013 to 2014. The portfolios were submitted on March 2015. LGU-Tacurong undergone site evaluation by the KAYA NATIN! Movement on April 13, 2015.
What is Champions for Health Governance?
The Champions for Health Governance (CHG) is an initiative recognizing top performing Local Government Units (LGUs) for excellent and efficient implementation of their local health programs. Health programs will be evaluated and screened based on their effectivity, innovativeness, community engagement, local leadership, and transparency and accountability. CHG will honor five LGUs on the city and municipal levels with outstanding health initiatives. The top LGUs will receive a cash grant to fund their best health programs and to continue their outstanding initiatives in health. Goodwill Magazine l 7
SP Corner
Best Sanggunian
Region XII 2007-2010, 2010-2013
Reso
Ordi
2015
70
4
2014 2013
231 18 124 6
lutions
as of 31 March 2015
Hon. Joseph George L. Lechonsito Vice Mayor
nances
Towards greater heights
Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito
Hon. Paulino R. Ledda
Hon. Ariel Ferdinand M. dela Cruz
Hon. Charito L. Collado
Hon. Rodrigo P. Jamorabon
Hon. Joselito L. Cajandig Sr.
Hon. Welson U. Ferrer
Hon. Cirilo Y. Flores
Hon. Benjamin P. Fajardo Jr.
Hon. Jose Remos P. Segura
Hon. Hernane S. Fermo ABC President
The sanggunian is one of the pillars of the LGU. As one of the catalysts of change, there are things needed to be improved to enhance our sanggunian. Competency is one. In our level, we did that through further education, seminars, lakbay-aral, and partnerships with other local government units. We believe that these will further improve our already good performance as exemplified by our recognition as the Best Sanggunian in Region XII for 2007-2010 and 2010-2013. Another aspect that we are trying to improve is transparency. This will bring about trust and confidence of the people to our local government. With the state of today’s developments, this is of paramount importance. Accountability is the third column that needs to be strengthened. This is the primary reason why your sanggunian must become responsive and sympathetic to the needs of our constituents This is why we are trying to involve all sectors in the decisionmaking processes of the LGU. We ask their opinion through public hearings and consultations to hear their sentiments. Lastly, we need to cultivate good relationship among members of this LGU. A harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative branches will be beneficial to our City. This is the reason why we seek the support of all LGU offices. We need to be united. Together, we can bring this city to greater heights.
Hon. Joseph George L. Lechonsito
Public optimistic on proposed Health & Sanitation Code of Tacurong Representatives of public and private groups and residents of the City of Tacurong agreed for the passage of the proposed City Health and Sanitation Code during the Public Hearing on March 5, 2014. Participants agreed that it is high time to approve and implement an enabling law that will regulate health and sanitation practices of food and entertainment establishments, markets, slaughterhouses, parks, resorts, schools, and hotels, among others. “This ordinance is proactive and responsive to the health and sanitation issues that we are facing today. We might as well ask for the support of research and development groups in the finalization and implementation of this ordinance,” said Dr. Angelito Alolod, former Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology X.
Health is a pillar of development. One of the best strategies to protect the health of the people is enacting local laws…that are systematic and comprehensive.
Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito Chairperson of the SP Committee on Health
SP ordinance declares August 3 as Tacurong Day
August 3 of every year is now officially declared as
Tacurong Day through enactment of City Ordinance No. 03, Series of 2015.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed the ordinance
during its regular session on March 4, 2015.
Historically, the Municipality of Tacurong was created
through Executive Order No. 062 signed by former President Elpidio Quirino on August 3, 1951.
Alolod was among the city locals who attended the event. “As a believer of the democratic process, we are giving you the chance to participate in our decision-making process,” addressed Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito to the public. Participants during said public hearing helped in polishing the Code by sharing their experiences and knowledge on certain health issues and technicalities. “Nagalaum kami nga ini nga ordinansa hindi magpabilin sa papel lang kundi ma-implementar nga maayo..ma-monitor sang maayo,” said another participant. After the public hearing, the Code is subject to its third and final reading. The Health and Sanitation Code of the City of Tacurong is authored by Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito and co-sponsored by Councilors Ariel Ferdinand dela Cruz, Psyche M. Sucaldito, Rodrigo Jamorabon, and Welson Ferrer. - JLCBillano
679 batang lalaki, natulungan ng Operation Libreng Tuli Pulis. Bumbero. Nars. Doktor. Sila ang nagsama-sama upang mabigyan ng libreng serbisyo ang 679 batang lalaki sa Operation Libreng Tuli ng LGUTacurong City noong Marso 30 hanggang Abril 12. Katulong ng Office for the City Health Services ang Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Sandig Medical Clinic and Hospital, at mga nars ng DOH-Nurse Deployment Project sa pag-iikot sa 20 barangay sa syudad. Bawat batang natuli ay binigyan din ng libreng mga gamot. “Salamat sa PNP at BFP sa pagpapadala ng kanilang mga personnel na nurses din. Nakasisiguro tayong maayos at malinis na naisagawa ang pagtutuli sa ating beneficiaries,” wika ni Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito MD. Kung sa ospital, nasa P3,000 ang package ng pagpapatuli. Ang Operation Libreng Tuli ay proyekto ng LGU na sinimulan ni Vice Mayor Lechonsito. -JLCBillano
The ordinance stresses the proper observance of this
significant event to give respect to the history of Tacurong and recognition of the efforts of the previous leadership, the first settlers, and its first Municipal officials.
Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito authored the said ordinance
with co-authors Hon. Joselito L.Cajandig, Sr., Hon. Cirilo Y. Flores, Hon. Benjamin P. Fajardo, Jr., and Hon. Welson U. Ferrer of SP Committee on Tourism. By Kristel Joy. H. Decipolo
Goodwill Magazine l 9
Talakudong shines I
nside the jampacked grandstand, Elma Arboleras was eagerly waiting for Tribu Talakudong to arrive for its field demonstration
Montilla was also at the grandstand with Vice Mayor Joseph Lechonsito and other Tacurong City officials. Mabilog later told Montilla that even the United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg became interested in Tacurong, even asking how to get there.
at the fifth and last performance area in downtown Iloilo City. It was January 25—the highlight of the Dinagyang Festival. It was past one o’clock in the afternoon and the sky was threatening a heavy downpour. She was worried that after nearly four hours of brisk THE OPENING SALVO. The Iloilo City government invited Tribu Talakudong to do dancing in four demonstration areas around the city, the kids would the opening salvo of the much-anticipated Ati Tribes Competition be exhausted coming in to the last station. on January 25. The Ati Tribe Competition is considered as the But Elma was wrong. As soon as the beat of the drums, gongs, and kulintangs highlight of Dinagyang Festival. Koronadal City’s Pyesta Kolon D’tal, performed right after reverberated in the air, the kids of Tribu Talakudong energetically swayed in unison. Their chants were at the loudest. They were Talakudong. Ambassadors and other foreign nationals were among seamlessly doing magic with their hats, the trademark of the sea of people who flocked to Iloilo City for the Dinagyang Fest Talakudong. The drops of rain bouncing off their kudong and fuschia- 2015. and-gold attires only added drama to their strong As a guest performer, Tribu Talakudong wowed the performance. Dinagyang crowd. Clad in multi-colored costumes and dancing in In between and right after the kids’ eightbrisk motion, Talakudong performers captured the hearts of minute field demonstration, cheers and applause spectators in all of the five performance areas. echoed everywhere. The moment the drumbeats stopped, Elma jumped out of her seat and darted towards the performers. She congratulated everyone and even gave tight hugs to some of the tribe members including her friend Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon. “That was a world-class performance by Talakudong dancers. They were simply amazing,” she exclaimed. Elma, a Tacurongnon who gained international prominence in the field of science and technology because of her iBus invention, was in Panay for a special project. She decided not to miss the chance to witness her kababayans’ outstanding performance. She even posted on Facebook saying: “I was just blown away. Mighty proud of the worldclass performance of the City of Tacurong during the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City today”. Many others who were in Iloilo to witness the Dinagyang shared their admiration of Talakudong’s act. Senate President Franklin Drilon, who was at the Freedom Grandstand, gave Mayor Lina Montilla double thumbs up. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and many others also congratulated the mayor.
in Dinagyang ‘15 By Allan S. Freno
Photographers were all busy with their shutter buttons, trying to get better shots of the dancers. On the kids’ way to the next performance area, the mammoth crowd flanking both sides of the streets took time to have their pictures taken with the dancers. Jorvelyn Jaruda Espinosa, an Iloilo resident and Executive Director of Maya Learning Center, also posted her praises to Talakudong on her Facebook wall. “This year’s celebration of Dinagyang was highlighted by two performances of our guests from Tacurong and Koronadal cities,” she said. “Their performances left me in awe at the purity of the celebration in honor of Señor Santo Niño… purity in the sense that they all performed as a group in sync and they took the front stage; not the props and the costumes. The colorful costumes and props merely enhanced their dance and movements,” Espinosa added. “I was struck by the feeling that it was as if I was with them in Tacurong and Koronadal. They brought me home with them with their performance. How apt that they are now our sister cities”.
STRONG SISTERHOOD. In his speech in front of thousands of audience during the opening program of the Ati Competition at the Freedom Grandstand, Mayor Mabilog recognized the presence of Mayor Lina Montilla of Tacurong and Mayor Peter Miguel of Koronadal. He explained to the Iloilo people that the sisterhood agreement forged with the two Hiligaynon-speaking cities in Mindanao is part of the Balik-Iloilo program of the city government. The Balik-Iloilo program aims to invite Mindanaons with Ilonggo roots to visit Iloilo especially during Dinagyang Festival. According to Mabilog, the sisterhood will make way for exchanges that will benefit the sister cities such as in the areas of commerce, culture and tourism; hence the presence in Iloilo of the key officials from Tacurong City. Before the performance of Tribu Talakudong, Mabilog conferred to Montilla the title Dinagyang “Pangulong Hangaway” or head warrior in honor of the sisterhood agreement. Montilla was given the headdress, garb and other tokens. The same gesture was afforded to Mayor Miguel. Mayor Montilla was extremely overwhelmed by the hospitality and how the Tacurong delegation was very well-received by the Iloilo people. “Our travel to Iloilo City is a milestone. The whole country and the world have come to know our city and our Talakudong Festival. The invitation of the city government of Iloilo for our dancers to perform on the world-class Dinagyang stage manifested Mayor Mabilog’s commitment of keeping true to the spirit of sisterhood,” said Montilla. Tacurong City, with its group of performers from Tacurong Pilot Elementary School, surely won the hearts not only of the Ilonggos of Panay but also of the thousands of local and international tourists who came to witness world-class performances at the Ati competition. Talakudong’s presentation of its unique culture added flavor to the Dinagyang and provided a breath of fresh air to those who long for something new. Indeed, it was a mighty performance from the little kids of Tacurong City. Goodwill Magazine l 11
AWESOME
TALAKUDONG
The unique and colorful costumes of the Talakudong performers never failed to attract street revelers for photo ops. On top of that, their performances before the huge crowd at the five stations earned them repeated applause and praises. Congratulations to the children who never got tired of sustaining their energy all throughout.
SISTER CITIES
City Officials of Tacurong and Iloilo had a two-hour meet and greet session at the Iloilo City Hall Penthouse on January 26. During this event, Mayor Mabilog also shared Iloilo’s best practices. The said activity was another way of strengthening the sisterhood agreement that the two cities entered into.
12 l Goodwill Magazine
Tribu Talakudong:
Creating Lasting Impressions in Iloilo By Jan Leslie Latiza
The journey of Tribu Talakudong to the celebrated Dinagyang Festival was months in the making. When we first heard of Iloilo City’s invitation, we knew we were going to be faced with Herculean tasks. From the get-go, we were riddled with problems on finances, airplane bookings and repairs on props and costumes. But we met all these barriers head on with enthusiastic fervor. We did not want to disappoint the ninety-six kids who have been anticipating this travel since they first heard of it. For almost two months they practiced. They sacrificed their Christmas break, and instead woke up early to be able to report on time for rehearsals. They displayed discipline early on. Traveling with 96 kids was no easy task. Most of the kids traveled by plane while some of the older ones chose to take the scenic route and embarked on a 2-day land travel. The journey itself was part of their big adventure. It was exciting to see their reactions as most of them haven’t ridden on a plane before. They couldn’t sit still and they oohed and aahed all the way to Iloilo. We breathed in Iloilo air five days before the big day. We went there early to see the lay of the land, to groom the kids for the long parade
RICH HISTORY
and the arduous performances in five areas. The kids rehearsed day and night. People who heard the reverberating drumbeats came to watch. One rehearsal scheduled by the Dinagyang Committee two days before the big event was particularly grueling. It stretched until the wee hours and finished at about two o’clock in the morning. But the smiles of our kids all throughout the night were an indication that they could surpass the fatigue. Clearly, exhaustion was not a problem. That final practice was jam-packed with an exultant crowd cheering them on with deafening applause. This gave Tribu Talakudong the confidence they needed to perform competently alongside world-class performers. On the day of the Dinagyang Festival, all of us were up and about as early as one o’clock in the morning. Everyone had something to do. Not one of us was exempt from doing even the most menial tasks. We ensured that the kids were prepared physically and mentally for the difficult day ahead. Even with the lack of sleep, we felt their anticipation for the day. We walked out to the streets and were overwhelmed by the energy in the air. The city was alive with a kaleidoscope of colors and
“That final practice was jam-packed with an exultant crowd cheering them on with deafening applause.”
Tacurong City delegation had the privilege to join the flag ceremony in the historic town of Santa Barbara, Iloilo. This is where the first seeds of revolution in the Visayas were sown. This town is regarded as a bastion of patriotism, hence a flag, measuring 30 feet by 60 feet, proudly waves on top of a 120-feet pole. Santa Barbara’s flag is one of the only five giant flags in the country serving as markers in historical places that led the country’s struggle for independence.
PROUD ILONGGOS Mayor Lina O. Montilla and other LGU-Tacurong officials reunited with the Senate President Franklin Drilon during Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s dinner meeting for Dinagyang guests on January 24. Senator Drilon is also an Ilonggo and an adopted son of Tacurong City. Among the guests present in the occasion were Senator Lito Lapid, former MMDA Chairperson Bayani Fernando, Iloilo Congressman Jerry Treñas, and ambassadors.
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Creating Lasting Impressions... from p.13
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thunderous drumbeats. People from all walks of the earth trudged happily on foot. Tribu Talakudong danced in five stations and also performed on the streets in between these areas. People we didn’t know were shouting out greetings saying that they too are from Tacurong or that they have relatives in our city. Every performance was met with standing ovations and loud cheers. Every routine was applauded. Photographers from different media entities and numerous VIPs were obviously impressed. Our kids performed in perfect unison, giving out their brightest smiles, and soaking up the adoration they were accorded with. They bent their bodies defying gravity, swayed their hips energetically, stomped their feet with fervor and shouted out their chants at the top of their lungs. The kids were inexhaustible. Even the rain did not dampen their spirits. They became darlings of the crowd as those who see them affectionately requested for their pictures. Those of us accompanying the kids during the parade weren’t exempt from these requests as they were intrigued with the craftsmanship of the kudong we had on. No one could deny the lavish welcome we received that day from the City of Iloilo. I have never been more proud to be a Tacurongnon than that day. Tribu Talakudong made a lasting impression in the City of Iloilo and showed to the whole world that we are a community with as much talent and diversity as they, that we are not living in a place ravaged with war nor conflict, and that we have the same bright spirits as any Filipino. We brought Talakudong to Dinagyang, and our kids could not have done a better job at it. They were testament to the fact that we are a people who have a lot to offer, and that we can accomplish whatever we set our sights to, no matter how far reaching it may seem. Proud Tacurongnon!
Busog Lusog Talino
MARAMING SALAMAT!
The Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) schools and the LGU-Tacurong send their gratitude to all the sponsors for the SY 2014-2015 implementation of BLT. Thank you SUKELCO, SKWD, TACEMPCO, COTAMPCO, TACEA, Philippine Dental Association, Philippine National Police, and Rotary Club of Tacurong. Thank you Jollibee Tacurong for the unforgettable Famealy Day experience! See you next year!
Six elementary schools in Tacurong finished the 120-day feeding cycle of the Busog Lusog Talino for SY 2014-2015. Forty wasted and severely-wasted pupils in each school were fed through BLT, with the help of parents and teachers. Every Monday, the LGU BLT Team delivers food supplies for the whole week. The team also sets the Menu of the Week. Parents then cook the recipes. In the BLT Feeding Area, parents and teachers supervise the lunch feeding to ensure that BLT pupils eat the healthy meals prepared before them. To mark the end of BLT’s second year of implementation, LGU and BLT sponsors threw a Jollibee Kids Party, dubbed as Famealy Day, for the pupil-beneficiaries.
Kusina ng Kalinga Gawad Kalinga (GK) conducted a month-long pilot testing of Kusina ng Kalinga (KnK) in Tacurong City Pilot Elementary School (TPES) from February 23 until March 20, 2015. KnK in TPES will officially start in S.Y. 2015-2016. KnK will feed almost 2,000 pupils in TPES with the aim to reduce drop-out and address pupils’ nutritional concerns. TPES is the very first school in Mindanao to experience KnK. Once fully functional, TPES KnK will serve as the training center of KnK volunteers and personnel in other provinces. GK expects that in SY 2015-2016, more parent-volunteers will emerge in TPES.
What is KnK?
KnK is a supplemental feeding program of Gawad Kalinga (GK) for undernourished pupils in Kindergarten to Grade 5 nationwide Our goal is to scale up and reach 50,000 children across Philippines in a year’s time. We will start with areas affected by Yolanda but eventually progress into our GK communities and others in the barangay. We need to address hunger for those who are most vulnerable to it – our children – lest we leave our country and our future more vulnerable to poverty even more than it is today. With the cooperation of various partners and volunteers and your support, Kusina ng Kalinga will become our collective
declaration of a war against hunger. Hunger ends where caring begins. Source: gk1world.com/kusinangkalinga
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Iwas-Sunog Tips!
FIRE PREVENTION. March is Fire Prevention Month. Fire officers of the Bureau of Fire Protection had conducted Fire Prevention Awareness Campaign and earthquake drills in twenty-eight public schools from January to March 2015. Barangays also participated in pre-fire planning activities. With pre-fire planning, authorities obtain useful information for responding to fires in schools, office buildings, hospitals, and other structures. dentification of pertinent site-specific information assist firefighters in understanding hazards and best strategy for rescues, and reduce potential for injuries and property damage. BFP-Tacurong is headed by Acting City Fire Marshal Fire Inspector Marjorie Jenna A. AggabaoResurreccion. JLCBillano
Panatilihing maayos ang koneksyon at kable ng electrical appliances. Agad palitan kung may sira ito. ‘Wag ipwesto ang electrical appliances sa mga lugar na maari itong mabasa. Wag hayaan ang mga batang paglaruan ang electrical appliances. Panatilihing malayo sa heater ang mga gamit na madaling masunog. Iwasan ang pag-overload ng sa mga extension cord at wall socket. Source: GMA News TV, U.S. Fire Administration
Bakunadong Aso’t Pusa, Sa Rabis Protektado. Out of the 736 total dog population of Barangay Buenaflor, 517 dogs were vaccinated during the Rabies Awareness Month kick-off on March 7. The Office for Veterinary Services worked with the Regional Rabies Coordinator & Staff, University of Southern Mindanao Veterinary Medicine students, and Barangay Buenaflor officials. This year’s Rabies Awareness Month carries the theme Bakunadong Aso’t Pusa, Sa Rabis Protektado. The City Vet Team also conducted vaccination activities in other barangays, and spread awareness on rabies and its harmful effects. The public can have their dogs and cats vaccinated at the Office of City Veterinary Service, 2nd Floor, SP Building, Mondays thru Fridays, 8AM to 5PM. JLCBillano
NO Bird Flu
in Tacurong
Personnel of the Office for Veterinary Services regularly take blood samples from ducks that will be shipped from the city to various areas in Mindanao. Ducks are the most common carriers of bird flu. Blood samples will be used for the Elisa Test, a test for Avian Influenza Virus or Bird Flu. Bird flu negative certifications, valid for one year, are issued to owners or shippers once their ducks are proven negative from the virus. The office does not only serve Tacurong duck owners but also duck-raisers from nearby towns.
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Kailangan nating gawin ito upang mapanatili ang Stage 1 status ng Pilipinas sa Avian Flu. Ibig sabihin, wala pang infected o hindi pa umabot sa ating bansa ang bird flu virus. - City Veterinarian Hermenegilda Sanque.
The Best Gulayan.
In the photo: Janie Salgado, a Project PAGLAUM mother is being cheered on by her fellow mothers as she was announced the Champion for the Household Category of the PAGLAUM Best Gulayan Competition on February 9, 2015. The competition was divided into two categories: Purok Block and Household categories. A total of P30 thousand worth of cash prizes were given to forty (40) PAGLAUM families and purok residents who joined the competition.
On May 10, 2014 Sultan Kudarat State University introduced container gardening to Project PAGLAUM mothers. Container gardening is an innovative way of gardening using waste bottles, cans, and sacks. It saves space and is very convenient for urban settlers. SKSU provided vegetable seeds and 40 sacks of organic chicken dung after the demonstration. Families then immediately started their own gardens. In a month’s time, they were able to harvest, eat, and sell vegetables. Other families in the purok were also influenced to start their own gardens. The City Agriculture Office also supported the families by giving more seeds and teaching them of proper garden maintenance and composting.
The gardens, now sources of their own food and livelihood, were evaluated on February 3 by the FACES Project Monitoring Team. Project PAGLAUM is an LGU intervention to children in the slums under the Millennium Development Goals - Family-based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slum (MDGFACES) program of the DILG. JLCBillano
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE COUNTRY’S FUTURE JOBSEEKERS? More than 500 graduating students of Tacurong National High School attended the half-day symposium on Career Advocacy on March 10, 2015 at the school’s gym. The activity is intended to provide the students with information on career planning and labor market trends. Among the inputs given to them were the in-demand and hard-to-fill occupations until Year 2020 as determined by the DOLE’s Project Jobs Fit: 2020 Vision as well as the priority courses identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The graduating high school students, granting they take up 4-year courses, are expected to join Philippine labor force when they graduate in 2019. ASFreno
SPES is back! An exciting summer awaits the four hundred twenty-four (424) students and out-of-school youth who were admitted to the DOLE-LGU Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) for the year 2015. SPES grantees are usually assigned to different LGU offices. However, in 2014, the LGU started to involve SPES grantees in its development projects and initiatives in the community. This year, the LGU earmarked a total of P1.9 Million for SPES implementation. Out of P1.9M, a total of P1M was sourced out from the LGU regular fund. The remaining P900,000 was funded by the Bottom-Up Budgeting program of DILG and DBM as approved by the City’s Local Poverty Reduction Action Team. JLCBillano
“The students were very naughty, but they taught me to be patient. I actually enjoyed our first day together.” - Marjorie Laroscain, SPES Grantee
In 2014, Marjorie and 11 other grantees were assigned to assist during the conduct of the LGU PEACE Summer Reading and Math Camp in Dr. Manuel J. Griño Central Memorial Elementary School. Goodwill Magazine l 19
BEST PRACTICES
ALAY SA KABABAIHAN Ang huling Lunes ng Marso ay ipinagdiriwang bilang Araw ng mga Babaeng May Kapansanan (Women with Disabilities), alinsunod sa Presidential Proclamation No. 744. Kaya naman, isang skills training sa Palm Fronds Waste Handicraft ang isinagawa ng LGU noong ika-30 ng Marso, 2015. Ang mga kalahok mula sa 20 barangay ay sinanay at binigyan ng mga kagamitang makakatulong sa paggawa nila ng mga producktong maaaring ipagbili bilang souvenirs. Ang training ay pinondohan ng City Gender and Development Council. -Kathy Mae Robles-Catalan
Ibinahagi ni Mayor Lina O. Montilla sa mga kawani ng Pasay City at Davao City ang kanyang karanasan sa pagsusulong ng excellent health governance noong ika-23 hanggang 24 ng Marso, 2015 sa Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Si Mayor Montilla ay inimbitahan ng Department of Health at Zuellig Family Foundation upang maging resource person sa City Leadership and Governance Program (CLGP) Module II: Grounding and Visioning ng Pasay at Davao. Kasama niya sa nasabing gawain si City Health Officer Dr. Giovanni Deles.
LIGTAS ANG MAY ALAM
LIBRENG SERBISYO NG LCR Libreng certificate issuance para sa lahat ng kliyente ang inialay ng Office of the Local Civil Registry noong ika-23 ng Pebrero, 2015. Lahat ng kliyenteng humingi ng civil registry documents ay nakakuha nang walang bayad. Isa ding basic information dialogue ang isinagawa ng LCR noong ika-27 ng Pebrero na dinaluhan ng mga barangay secretaries, health workers, at medical clerks sa syudad. Ito ay upang maging katuwang sila ng LCR sa pagbibigay-impormasyon sa mamamayan tungkol sa mga kinakailangang gawin bago pa man tumungo sa tanggapan. Ang mga gawaing ito ay pinangunahan ni Local Civil Registrar Josephine Balino bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng National Civil Registry Month para sa buwan ng Pebrero. -Analou Joy P. Buendicho
SAMA-SAMA SA TACEMPCO Tatlong-daan at tatlumpu’t walong miyembro ng Tacurong City Employees Cooperative o TACEMPCO ang nagtipon para sa kanilang 16th General Assembly, ika-28 ng Marso, 2015. Sa nasabing pagtitipon, mahigit P1.6 milyon halaga ng dibidendo at patronage refund ang ipinamigay sa mga miyembro. Ayon sa ulat ng kooperatiba, umabot na sa P26 milyon ang kabuuang assets nito. Ang TACEMPCO ay isa sa mga kinilalang Outstanding Cooperatives sa Syudad para sa taong 2014.
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Women with disabilities experience hands-on training on Palm Fronds Waste Handicraft on March 30, 2015.
Isang symposium na nagtatalakay ng HIV/AIDS at iba pang nakakahawang sakit ang isinagawa noong ika 10 hanggang ika-11 ng Marso 2015. Ito ay nilahukan ng mga sex workers sa syudad, mga tauhan ng PNP at BJMP, traffic enforcers at mga empleyado ng iba’tibang business establishments sa syudad. Ang sakit na HIV/AIDS ay wala pang lunas. Ayon kay City Sanitation Inspector Marlow Buenacosa, mahalagang ang kaalamang natututunan ng mga kalahok ay maibahagi din nila sa kanilang mga kaibigan at pamilya. “Kung bal-an mo paano malikawan ini nga mga sakit, safe ka,” dagdag niya.
MAPAYAPANG KOMUNIDAD Nagsagawa ng Target Hardening Seminar ang LGU-Tacurong, Tacurong City Police Station and Joint Task Force Mayor Lina O. Montilla is being awarded with Talakudong kaugnay ng Anti-terrorism, a Certificate of Appreciation by DOH & Zuellig Criminality Awareness and Crime Prevention Family Foundation for sharing her personal story Campaigns. of leadership transformation to participants of Mula ika-22 hanggang ika-23 ng the City Leadership & Governance Program on Marso, 213 tricycle drivers, pulis, at traffic March 24 in Palawan. personnel na ang sumailalim sa nasabing seminar. Ang seminar ay pinasinayaan nina City Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon at PSupt. Junny Buenacosa, Chief ng PNP-Tacurong. Sa target hardening, pinapatibay ang samahan ng komunidad at mga awtoridad sa paglaban at pagpigil sa mga krimen. Hinihimok ang publikong makipagtulungan at huwag matakot The newly-elected members of the Tacurong magsuplong sa oras na may nakitang kahinaCity Employees Cooperative Board were hinalang pangyayari. presented during the 16th Annual General Assembly on March 28, 2015.
PROUD
taga-TAC Tacurongnon to play for RP Team in SEA Games “Ako dati, pangarap ko lang nga makahampang sa mga national leagues. Nahimo ko ini with hardwork and determination..kag syempre tama nga attitude. Sa mga players naton diri sa Tacurong, hindi lang guid sila mag-untat.” These were the words of volleyball player Jayson Ramos when asked what he can say to his fellow Tacurong athletes. Ramos, 23, was chosen to be part of the 18-member Philippine Volleyball Team for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore, June 2015. According to Ramos, the Philippine Team players were chosen from a pool of at least 100 volleyball players from different universities and agencies nationwide. The screening was conducted on November 2014. On April 2014, Ramos was also part of the Philippine Team that competed during the Asian Men’s Club participated by national teams in Asia. Ramos is currently on training but has to come home to Tacurong for a family affair. He was introduced to the LGU family during its flag-raising ceremony on February 16, 2015. Ramos was born and raised in Tacurong. He attended Tacurong Pilot Elementary School and Notre Dame Tacurong-High School Department. He was a varsity player in the University of Santo Tomas and is currently a player of the PLDT Volleyball Team. Also among the 18 members of the Philippine Volleyball Team for the SEA Games is Mark Gil Alfafara of General Santos City. - JLCBillano
Saludo! Kathleen Ea (center) is set to join the Batch 2015 entrants of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). A resident of Tacurong City, she is the only one from Sultan Kudarat who survived the difficult screening process.The only child of a tricycle driver and a housekeeper, Kathleen is determined to achieve all her dreams. In this photo, Kathleen (with her parents Bert and Agnes) is joined by Mayor Lina Montilla and City Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon.
Jayson Ramos, a Tacurongnon who is a member of the RP Volleyball Team for the SEA Games 2015, was a varsity player of the Univeristy of Santo Tomas during his college days
Upper Katungal is in LTIA Hall of Fame Barangay Upper Katungal in the City of Tacurong was recognized as region’s Best Lupon under the DILG’s Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards (LTIA) Component City Category following the Regional Evaluation on March 10, 2015. This is the third time that Upper Katungal bagged the award since 2013. In Upper Katungal, cases filed at the barangay level are minimized due to the active role of Lupon members in settling disputes at the purok level. Lupon members are purok presidents. “Kung sa purok pa lang, naayos na ang problema, sigurado peaceful ang barangay,” said Punong Barangay Hernane S. Fermo. “Ayaw namin na mag-endorse ng mga kaso sa korte hanggang alam namin na kaya namin maayos kasi ayaw namin na mapagastos pa sila,” he added. Upper Katungal will be Region XII’s entry to the National LTIA.
EXCELLENCE
is never an accident. It is always the result of HIGH INTENTION, SINCERE EFFORT, and
INTELLIGENT EXECUTION... - Aristotle