The Goodwill [April-June 2015] by LGU-Tacurong City

CONTENTS in Top 5 Champions 2 Tacurong for Health Governance

First in PH

PhilHealth, SKEI inks MOA on inclusion of social health insurance modules to nursing, midwifery programs

Promoting & Empowering Actions for Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Education

Rare Birding Encounter in the City of Goodwill

10 12 18

1st Tacurong Bird Festival: In Photos LGU Full Budget Disclosure

Kariton sang Paglaum

Winner, Regional Search for Best Feature Story of DOLE XII

CITY OFFICIALS OF TACURONG

Photo by Schiltz Weysen de Vera

2013-2016 City Mayor

HON. LINA O. MONTILLA Vice Mayor

HON. JOSEPH GEORGE L. LECHONSITO, MD, DPA Councilors

Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito, DPA Hon. Benjamin P. Fajardo Jr., LLB Hon. Charito L. Collado, MDMG Hon. Ariel Ferdinand M. dela Cruz, DPA Hon. Cirilo Y. Flores, LLB Hon. Joselito L. Cajandig Sr., MDMG Hon. Paulino R. Ledda Hon. Jose Remos P. Segura Hon. Rodrigo P. Jamorabon, DPA Hon. Welson U. Ferrer, MDMG Hon. Hernane S. Fermo (ABC)

Ipinagdiwang ng Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Tacurong ang ika-73 Araw ng Kagitingan noong ika-9 ng Abril 2015. Pinangunahan ni Mayor Lina O. Montilla ang pagbibigay-pugay sa mga beteranong nakipaglaban noong World War II. Naging mas espesyal ang okasyon dahil sa pagdalo ng beteranong si Pfc. Eugenio Somera, 91 taong gulang. Si Somera ay isang Tacurongnon.

Pinangunahan ng Boy Scouts of the Philippines ang pagsunog at paglagak ng dalawampung sirang watawat ng Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Tacurong noong ika-12 ng Hunyo 2015. Ang nasabing seremonya ay bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng ika-117 anibersaryo ng pagdeklara ng Araw ng Kalayaan. Ito ay sinaksihan ng mga kawani ng ibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t-ibang pampubliko at pribadong ahensya, mga guro, at mag-aaral. Ang pagsunog sa mga sira o lumang watawat ay nakasaad sa Section 14 ng Republic Act 8491 o Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. Ang pinakamalaking watawat ay ibinaba mula sa flag pole at itinupi kasama ang mas maliliit na watawat. Ang pagpapatugtog ng mga makabayang awit ay sinundan ng pagbahagi ng kasaysayan ng ibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ibang watawat na ginamit ng mga Pilipino mula sa panahon ng Katipunan. Pagkatapos na sunugin ay inilagay ang mga abo ng mga watawat sa isang lalagyan at inilibing sa lupa.

GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 1

Tacurong City, four LGUs named

by Allan S. Freno

Trailblazers in the field of public health. This was how the organizers of Champions for Health Governance (CHG) Awards described this year’s national winners. Tacurong, the only city among the five awardees, is joined by four other municipalities of Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte, Ipil in Zamboaga Sibugay, Jimenez in Misamis Occidental, and Cervantes in Ilocos Sur. Notably, four of the winners came from Mindanao. The winning Local Government Units (LGUs) received their prizes during the awarding rites held at the C3 Events Place in Greenhills, San Juan on May 29, 2015. Apart from the plaques, each winner received cash prizes amounting to P100,000 plus P500,000 worth of medical supplies and materials. Mayor Lina Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph Lechonsito, and City Health Officer Giovanni Deles received the award. Aside from subscribing to the principles of participatory governance and universal health care, Tacurong’s innovations on health governance paved way for its becoming a champion. Tacurong’s ‘City Hall sa Barangay’ Project, which aims to bring the services of the LGU right at the doorsteps of constituents of even the remotest barangays, is a practice that made health services accessible to the poor. Meanwhile, the ordinance requiring pregnant women to give birth to health facilities resulted to the absence of maternal and child mortality in the last four years. The legislation providing security of tenure to the community volunteer health workers and giving them second grade civil service eligibility after five years of continuous service also boosted Tacurong’s case to get a spot in the Top 5 national winners. Senator Teofisto Guingona III, the event’s keynote speaker, congratulated the outstanding health programs of the awardees. “For me, if somebody would ask what is the most important thing in life, the answer should be health; because if you’re not healthy, you cannot live a meaningful and productive life”, Senator Guingona said. “But being healthy and staying healthy is not cheap and easy; social disparity is apparent when it comes to health. I’m very glad that we have LGUs that are at the forefront of promoting health”. CHG Awards, already in its second run since its debut in 2013, aims to recognize cities and municipalities for their excellent health governance and programs that contribute to achieving universal health care for all Filipinos, particularly in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing maternal and child mortality and the burdens of infectious diseases.

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The CHG Awards is organized by the global pharmaceutical company of Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, and the Jesse Robredo Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Participating LGUs are judged based on the effectiveness and innovativeness of their health programs, management of health resources, community engagement, local leadership, and transparency and accountability. Each LGU should also have no adverse report from the Commission on Audit. Sixty (60) LGUs submitted entries for this year’s search but the road to being declared champions has not been easy. Each entry had to go through the long and arduous screening process. Of the 60 applicants, only 25 entries survived the eligibility screening. The Top 25 underwent another thorough screening process aimed at trimming down the entries to twelve. All twelve finalists went through the site evaluation and validation from the whole month of April up until the first week of May. The last step before choosing the five champions was the panel interview in Manila. During the interview, each finalist had a fifteen-minute presentation and another fifteen-minute question-andanswer portion with regard to health programs and best practices. “Through the CHG Awards, we wanted to make sure that the trailblazing activities and efforts of the champion LGUs will be recognized and eventually replicated all over the country”, said Harvey Keh, co-convenor of Kaya Natin Movement who also hosted the awarding rites. “Imagine if all LGUs would be able to implement their public health programs properly, then I’m sure our health indicators ,including our MDGs, would be easily met.” Congresswoman Leni Robredo, chairperson of the Jesse Robredo Foundation, said that the CHG Awards is in support to the Foundation’s aim of promoting development through empowering local communities. “Jesse believed that the progress of our nation depends on the local government units”, Congresswoman Robredo said while addressing the awardees. ““Aside from appreciating and giving a reward for all the efforts that you did, we hope that through this award, you will be able to inspire more mayors and more local government officials to do the same”.

DILG 12 holds UBAS orientation for barangay action teams In a bid to step up the mainstreaming efforts of Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 12 conducted an orientation workshop for the members of the Barangay Action Teams (BATs) of Tacurong City on July 2, 2015. Thousands of Tacurongnons in the barangays did not have to spend much for transportation to avail all city hall services for free in a day. From April to June 2015, the LGU conducted City Hall sa Barangay in six barangays, serving a total of 6,042 clients. Six barangays include San Pablo, Upper Katungal, San Rafel, New Carmen, San Emmanuel, and Baras. The free medical check-up with free medicines is the most availed service in all said barangays with a total of 3,741 clients served. City Hall sa Barangay did not only offer LGU services. Private medical practitioners and private employment agencies also reached out to the communities through the program. Also, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army assisted in offering medical and dental services.

JLCBillano

nigeria-based doc joins city hall sa barangay Dr. Donald Martin Melgar, a Cebuano doctor based in Nigeria, still managed to extend his services for free while enjoying a short vacation in Tacurong City. Dr. Melgar joined the city officials and employees of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong City in the conduct of City Hall sa Barangay project in Barangay Upper Katungal on May 8, 2015. Dr. Melgar said he is amazed of the way the city government innovates just to serve its constituents well. “Kudos to Mayor Lina for her efforts of going the extra mile in public service,” he added. Melgar currently works with OPI International Nigeria Ltd. based in the city of Lagos in Nigeria. Dr. Melgar is in Tacurong to visit a close friend and classmate in College of Medicine, Dr. Mary Ann Ayco. ASFreno Dr. Melgar and Dr. Ayco give medical advice to a mother during the City Hall sa Barangay in Upper Katungal.

Held at the Formation Center of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria Parish, the orientation gathered more than 80 members of BATs from the twenty barangays composed of barangay chairpersons, chapel leaders and representatives of barangay-based civil society organizations. DILG 12 UBAS Focal Person Jermie Erie-Yeager provided the participants with inputs on the BUB process and engagement of UBAS in BUB projects monitoring. BAT members were also taught on how to fill out BUB Monitoring Forms. DILG City Director Alberto Sero, Jr. also talked on the role of the barangays in promoting good governance. The workshop included the drafting of action plan by each BAT that includes the schedule of ocular inspection of BUB-funded projects in the barangays as well as the conduct of interviews to project beneficiaries among others.

A participant shares her thoughts during the UBAS orientation.

“Ang inyong presensya ay pahiwatig sa pagtugon na maging katuwang kayo ng kasalukuyang gobyerno sa pagpapatupad at pagpapatuloy ng tuwid na daan.” - Ester Valdez, Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief, DILG XII

Mayor Lina Montilla also urged the BAT members to be committed in their tasks saying that the effective monitoring is a key ingredient in the proper implementation of government projects. The whole-day orientation wrapped up with the talk of Father Zaldy Robles on “I Vote for Good Advocacy”. This is a guide for citizens on how to choose a leader who possesses the qualities of an honest and efficient public servant. UBAS is a partnership of barangays, faith-based organization and the DILG which encourages citizens’ active participation in governance, thus institutionalizing transparency and accountability in the local government. ASFreno GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 3

In the photo, SKEI President Soledad Eugenio and PhilHealth CEO Alexander Padilla shake hands after the MOA signing witnessed by Mayor Lina Montilla and PhilHealth officials.

FIRST IN PH: PHILHEALTH SKEI INKS MOA on inclusion of social health insurance modules in midwifery, nursing programs

On 21 April 2015 at the EMR Center in Koronadal City, the PhilHealth and Sultan Kudarat Educational Insitute (SKEI) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Integration of Social Health Insurance modules into the Institute’s Midwifery and Nursing subjects - a first in the country. “This is the first time that we are formalizing our entry to the academic curriculum,” said CEO Alexander Padilla.

“At first I thought it was a ridiculous idea...but when I became more familiar with it, I was enlightened with the brilliance of this project,” said SKEI School Director Dr. Dante Eugenio. Mayor Lina Montilla, who witnessed the MOA signing, also lauded the program. “Ang students nga ma-train subong, strong partners na naton sila sa ti-on nga sila na ang frontline health care providers naton sa community,” said Mayor

Montilla. “We hope [that] all other midwifery and nursing institutions will follow,” challenged Philhealth COO, Mr. Ramon F. Aristoza Jr. After the MOA Signing, faculty and personnel of the SKEI and Sultan Kudarat Doctors Hospital with Mayor Montilla participated in an orientation session on the National Health Act of 2013. JLCBillano

LGU initiates strengthening program for barangay health systems The Local Government Unit of Tacurong through its Office of the City Health Services launched the Barangay Health System Strengthening Program (BHSSP) this year. BHSSP is a city-led health initiative aimed at improving the barangay health system making health services available to the community, thereby improving health outcomes and contributing to the attainment of health-related Millennium Development Goals. BHSSP intends to capacitate and empower the health leaders in the barangay to help them organize and optimize their barangay health board and community health team. The very first BHSSP training was conducted in Barangay San Emmanuel on July 6. Among the attendees were barangay officials, purok presidents, and various organizational and religious leaders. According to City Mayor Lina O. Montilla, cooperation between the city and the barangays is important in offering adequate and proper health services to Tacurongons. Hence, the LGU saw the need to implement a comprehensive health program for the barangays. The LGU first launched BHSSP in Barangay New Passi earlier this year. BHSSP trainings will be conducted in all barangays of the city. Yentl Mae T. Robles 4 l Goodwill Magazine

2015 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial The Local Government Unit of Tacurong, through the Office of the City Health Services, held a candlelighting ceremony to commemorate the 2015 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on May 15, 2015. This annual activity is a campaign for social consciousness on HIV/AIDS initiated by the international community. Through the ceremony, LGU officials and employees also offered prayers to those who have been affected by the virus. “Hindi sila dapat pinandidirihan; dapat suportahan. Mahalaga ding malaman ng publiko kung paano umiwas sa sakit na ito,” said Mayor Lina O. Montilla who led the event.

TACURONGNONS CELEBRATE

DONORS’DAY

May19 2015

Tacurong Blood Donors’ Day is now on its 5th year. To celebrate this milestone, the LGU added a new feature to the event.

Locks of Hope

This year, LGU-Tacurong City simultaneously conducted the Blood Donors’ Day and the 1st Hair Donors’ Day on May 19 at the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center. This is the first time that the LGU facilitated a hair donation drive that will benefit cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A total of 27 hair donations, each measuring 8 inches and more, were gathered during the activity. Makasining Lahi of Tacurong offered free haircutting services to the donors. “Nakabulig ka na, new and younger look ka pa,” a hair donor said. Each hair donation was sent to Cuts Against Cancer (www. donateyourhair.org) - a non-government organization that facilitates the production of wigs made of human hair for cancer patients.

Safe Blood for Tacurong

DID YOU KNOW? Blood Donors’ Day was institutionalized through City Ordinance 06, Series of 2011, sponsored by Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito.

Two hundred one (201) individuals donated blood during the City Blood Donors’ Day on May 19, 2015. Among the donors were individuals from the public and private sector, LGU and barangay officials, and uniformed personnel. The Philippine National Red Cross assisted the LGU in this activity. The LGU’s advocacy on blood donation is also a response to the call to support the National Blood Services Act of 1994. “We encourage everyone to regularly donate blood and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” stated Mayor Lina O. Montilla, who also donated blood during the Donors’ Day. JLCBillano

TAKE

HIV TEST?

1 EARLY TREATMENT If your HIV Test turns out positive, effective free treatment is available when you need it.

2 PROTECT YOURSELF If your HIV Test turns out negative, you will be able to know how to protect yourself and stay negative.

3 PROTECT OTHERS If your HIV Test turns out positive, you can prevent transmission of the virus to your partner and others.

4 LIFESTYLE RISK If you are engaged in risky behaviors such as not using condoms & lubricants during sex, and re-using needles for injections, you must know your HIV status.

5 OCCUPATIONAL RISK If you are working with needles and are exposed to blood products, you must know your HIV status. Source: https://pbs.twimg.com

National HIV Testing Week. Social hygiene clinics nationwide conducted the National HIV Testing Week (NHTW) on May 11 – 15, 2015. In Tacurong, a total of 147 individuals availed of the week-long free HIV Testing and Counseling offered by the Office of the City Health ServicesEnvironmental Sanitation Section. In the photo, a city health worker takes a blood sample from an individual who volunteered for the HIV Test. Identities of those who got tested were kept confidential. With NHTW, the Department of Health aims to boost its awareness campaign on HIV and AIDS. According to DOH, there are currently 23,709 HIV cases in the country as of February 2015. GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 5

Clockwise: A SPES grantee assigned as a reading and math mentor in the PEACE Learning Camp shares a story to PEACE campers; Graduates of the PEACE Learning Camp during their recital on May 29; PEACE campers were served with healthy lunch meals after every reading and mathematics class.

PEACE Camp closes with 66 graduates

Graduates of the PEACE (Promoting and Empowering Actions for Children’s Education) Learning Camp Year 2 belted a loud ‘thank you’ to the LGU in the finale of their recital on May 29, 2015. Said pupils were among the sixty-six (66) completers of the LGU’s 15-day PEACE Learning Camp with Supplemental Feeding in Pedregosa-Acosta Elementary School (PAES). From May 11 to 29, pupils availed free reading and math classes, and free snacks and lunch meals everyday. The pupils and teachers were also given learning kits. PEACE Learning Camp Year 2 aimed at improving the reading and numerical competencies of incoming Grade 3 and Grade 6 pupils to prepare them for the National Achievement Test.

“It’s a good challenge for teachers and personnel of this school to sustain the development that pupils showed during the 15-day learning camp,” stated Mrs. Ma. Bella Victorio, PAES Principal. The PEACE Camp staff, composed of LGU employees and grantees of the Special Program for the Employment of Students or SPES, was headed by Councilor Psyche Sucaldito. The program was first implemented in 2014 with Dr. Manuel J. Griño Central Elementary School as school partner. PEACE Learning Camp is the output of the LGU’s proposal to the Champions for Education and Good Governance of SEAOIL, KAYA NATIN! Movement, DILG, and Ateneo Scool of Governance in 2014. JLCBillano

Our responsibilities as teachers and as public servants may be different but everything comes full circle when we talk about shaping the youth for nation-building. 6 l Goodwill Magazine

- Mayor Lina O. Montilla

GRADE 1 PUPILS RECEIVE NEW SCHOOL SUPPLIES

The City Government of Tacurong gave away free bags and school supplies to Grade 1 pupils in all public schools in the city. The distribution kicked off at Maria Montilla Elementary School on June 5, 2015. More than a hundred grade 1 pupils of said school received the school supplies. Mayor Lina Montilla, Councilor Ariel Ferdinand dela Cruz, Councilor Welson Ferrer, and Councilor Psyche Sucaldito led the distribution. The distribution of free kits for Grade 1 pupils is an annual activity of the city government that aims to ease the financial burdens of parents as well as encourage students to take their studies seriously.

LGU joins

Brigada Eskwela Employees and officials of the LGU rendered voluntary services in support of the City Schools Division of Tacurong (CSDT) Brigada Eskwela 2015 on May 18-23, 2015. The LGU also allotted local funds for the purchase of paint and cleaning materials. In addition, each of the 31 public elementary and high schools in the city received financial allocation from the LGU. The LGU hopes to assist the CSDT in improving school infrastructure and utilities. “Aside from infrastructure, we are also helping CSDT teachers in their training and seminars to further boost their performance,” shared Mayor Lina O. Montilla. JLCBillano

Tacurong bags awards in SPES Day 2015 Aside from their huge presence, being one of the largest delegations in the Provincial SPES Day Celebration on May 12, the SPES grantees of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tacurong City reaped awards in all the major contests in the event. Mr. SPES Leyson Valdez (center) with The awards were: (from left) Tacurong PESO Manager MR. SPES (Leyson Valdez); Allan S. Freno, CMO Executive Assistant 1st runner-up, Ms. SPES Emmanuel Nicolo, and DOLE-Sultan Kudarat Field Office Head Arlene Bisnon. (Magnolia de Luna); 2nd Runner-Up, Yelling Competition; and 1st runner-up, Pop Dance Contest. The SPES Day hosted by the Municipal Government of Isulan gathered nearly 2,000 grantees from six LGUs and five academic institutions. The PESO Managers Association of Sultan Kudarat (PESOMASK) and Department of Labor and EmploymentSultan Kudarat Field Office organized the event. SPES Closing After completing their 20-day work period, SPES grantees of the LGU-Tacurong City held their culminating activity on May 27, 2015 at the Monte Vicenteau Resort in Barangay New Passi. “Gina-encourage ko guid kamo nga ayuhon ninyo ang inyo pag-eskwela. I-prioritize ninyo ini para sa inyo man nga kaayuhan,” said Mayor Montilla in her message to the grantees. ASFreno

GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 7

8 l Goodwill Magazine

DISCOVER PHILIPPINES:

A Rare Birding Encounter in the City of Goodwill Photo & Text by Vince Celeste www.vinceleste.com Winning entry of the 1st Bird Festival Photo Blogging Contest sponsored by Department of Tourism XII & LGU-Tacurong City

One might think how city can keep a natural sanctuary of endemic and migratory birds. One might wonder how to find rare kinds of birds, free and uncaged. Birdwatching in Baras Bird Sanctuary (BBS) is a rare experience since you don’t have to travel to the jungles and marshlands just to see a densely populated place with different species of birds.

How Did It Start

BBS has been a natural bird sanctuary since 1990s. It started when the population and variety of birds coming in the area grew. The migratory birds were recorded to be just four in number. The population eventually increased every year. It is now a place of refuge for more than twenty thousand endemic and migratory birds hence providing a memorable experience communing with nature. It’s not a usual avian park because birds like herons and egrets just come and go freely.

The Firsthand Experience

On the first day of Tacurong City’s 1st Bird Festival on the 9th of May 2015, I met Mr. Rey Malana, the sanctuary caretaker and owner of the smaller than two-hectare former black-pepper plantation. I also met Ms. Tinggay Cinco, one of the officers of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP). Meeting them was an opportunity to be oriented and be inspired with what we have

at Baras Bird Sanctuary. A walking-tour brings you the firsthand intimate communion with the birds. The existence of this sanctuary of endemic and migratory birds is really worth celebrating. Tacurong held its First Bird Festival on May 9 to 10, 2015. It is their way of acknowledging the importance of BBS. With the theme “Be Aware! I love and protect birds and nature,” the festival invited everyone to experience and appreciate the gift of nature and the creations in it through various activities such as forum on Philippine birds, Eco-tourism, birdwatching with tour guide and other exciting events prepared by the local government unit.

The Bird List

Birds at the sanctuary are free, not caged, nor controlled. It is amazing to see these birds hovering, flying from one tree to another. It is common to see herons and egrets but several bird species can also be found. These are white-collared kingfisher, emerald dove, hawk, eurasian sparrow, javan

pond heron, black-crowned night heron, variable dwarf-kingfisher, juvenile black crowned night heron, yellow-vented bulbul, rusty-breasted cuckoo, magpie robin, pied fantail, glossy ibis, black-naped monarch, great egret, rufous night heron, ruddy kingfisher, and more! Members of the WBCP visit the place from time to time to conduct ocular visits, doing observations and recordings. They help educate people by naming and describing the different bird species found at the sanctuary.

How to get there?

Baras Bird Sanctuary is in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. You may coordinate with LGU by calling 064 200 6682; 064 477 0138; 064 562 0175 and ask to be connected to the Tourism Office. They will be able to guide you with your itinerary to the destination and help you find nice and affordable accommodations within the city. Tacurong is just an about hour and a half land trip from General Santos City and about three to four hours from Davao City.

GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 9

HelloParadise

SOX

BarasBirdSanctuary

tacurongcity

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LGU Budget Disclosure Policy Full Budget Disclosure can also be viewed at the City Hall Building, Sangguniang Panlungsod Building, Public Market, and Public Terminal. It is also posted on www.tacurong.gov.ph Republic of the Philippines CITY OF TACURONG PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT OFFICE OF THE CITY ACCOUNTING AND INTERNAL SERVICES

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF TACURONG PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT OFFICE OF THE CITY ACCOUNTANT

STATUS OF 20% DEVELOPMENT FUND-CONTINUING As of June 30, 2015 Class

Appropriation

Allotment

Balance of

Unobligated DISBURSEMENT Balance (Appro less Obligation)

Obligation

Appropriation OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE 1902-16 Capital Outlay 201 Land 2,080,000.00 211-1 Building & Improvement 3,500,000.00 266 Construction in Progress - Roads, Highways and Bridges 8,795,709.90 03/02/15 03-1196-15/CMO OFFICE/REHAB OF FARM TO MKT ROAD PRK NAMNAMA S 03/13/15 03-1471-15/CMO OFFICE/CONC OF BRGY ROADS, PRK KAPAYAPAAN BRGY 03/30/15 03-1697-15/CMO OFFICE/CONC OF BRGY ROADS PRK ROSE BRGY SAN AN 04/28/15 04-2610-15/CMO OFFICE/ROADS HIGHWAY AND BRIDGES 04/16/15 04-2222-15/CMO OFFICE/CONST OF BRGY ROADS-PRK PAG ASA BRGY KA 975-2 Interest Expense-New Acquisition Heavy Equipment 20.00 Subtotal 14,375,729.90 TOTAL OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE 14,375,729.90

DEV'T FUND - LOANS EQUITY Capital Outlay 444-3 DBP-Heavy Equipments 444-5 NEW-Acquisition of Heavy Equipment Units

2,080,000.00 3,500,000.00 6,186,047.33

Fund: 100 (General Fund)

229,796.00 1,000,000.00 29,866.57 1,000,000.00 350,000.00 20.00 14,375,729.90 14,375,729.90

1,090,632.35 337,939.08 1,428,571.43

97,960.52 97,960.52 1,526,531.95

15.30

1,520,000.00

202,426.00 29,866.57 29,620.00 20.00 11,766,067.33 11,766,067.33

2,609,662.57 2,609,662.57

261,912.57 261,912.57

1902-23

Financial Expenses 975-2 Interest Expense-NEW Acquisition Heavy Equipment Subtotal TOTAL DEV'T FUND - LOANS EQUITY HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Capital Outlay 211-1 Building & Improvement

2,080,000.00 3,500,000.00 8,795,709.90

1,090,632.35 337,939.08 1,428,571.43

97,960.52 97,960.52 1,526,531.95

1902-30

233 Medical, Dental & Laboratory Equipment 02/06/15 02-0660-15/CHU Office-Hearing Screener

ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT Capital Outlay 250 Other Property, Plant & Equipment

997,382.85

200,000.00

2,717,398.15 2,717,398.15

312,000.00 82,931.85

914,451.00 66,666.67 1,301,117.67 1,301,117.67

133,333.33 312,000.00 312,000.00

1,416,280.48 1,416,280.48

1902-37 2,651.00

2,651.00

270 Construction in Progress-Irrigation, Canals and Laterals 9,441,732.22 02/16/15 02-0917-15/CMO/Construction of drain pipe w/2 units 03/13/15 03-1479-15/CMO OFFICE/CONST OF DRAINAGE CANAL PRK AYAT NEW CA 03/23/15 03-1620-15/CMO OFFICE/CONCRETING OF ROADS PRK PARAISO BRGY LA 04/10/15 04-1975-15/CMO OFFICE/CONST OF DRAINAGE CANAL PRK SARANAY-SAN 05/14/15 05-3052-15/CMO OFFICE/CONST DRAINAGE CANAL PRK DURANTA-DAISY 06/24/15 06-3961-15/CMO OFFICE/CONST OF DRAINANGE CANAL QUEZON AVENUE Subtotal 9,444,383.22 TOTAL ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT 9,444,383.22 GRAND TOTAL 28,064,043.22

9,441,732.22

9,444,383.22 9,444,383.22 28,064,043.22

2,651.00

559,141.78 36,101.26 800,000.00 1,000,000.00 2,700,000.00 3,350,000.00 996,489.18 8,882,590.44 8,882,590.44 12,793,370.68

Prepared by:

Certified correct:

RUDILIZA A. BELLO Administrative Officer IV

ELMA D. BIDES, CPA City Accountant

546,154.53 573,912.57

561,792.78 561,792.78 15,270,672.54

City of Tacurong

A. Sources of Funds: Current Approp Continuing Approp - CY 2011 Continuing Approp - CY 2012 - CY 2013 Continuing Approp - CY 2014 Prev Year's Appropriations transferred to the Special Trust Fund CY 2011 CY 2012 CY 2013 CY 2014 Transfers/Grants Total Funds Available B. Utilization CY 2011-2014 Motor Vehicles Travelling Expense Training Expense Animal/ Zoological Expense Food Supplies Drugs and Medicines Expenses Gasoline, Oil & Lubricants Expense Agricultural Supplies Expense Other MOOE-Calamity Other Maintenance & Operating Expenses CY 2015 Furniture & Fixtures Training Expense Gasoline, Oil & Lubricants Expense Repair & Maintenance - Irrigation, Canals and Drainages Other Maintenance & Operating Expenses -Trust Fund Other Maintenance & Operating Expenses Total Utilization Unutilized Balance

Prepared by:

LDRRMF Quick Response Mitigation Fund (QRF) Fund 30% 70% 5,996,644.20

5,948,957.20 87,642,195.00 528,137.23 16,251,151.30 110,370,440.73

NDRRMF

From Other LGUs

From Other Sources

19,988,814.00 5,359,536.50 1,908,115.50 5,025,339.10

4,423,513.90 4,557,334.90 4,039,920.10 5,421,573.90 24,438,987.00

2,744,362.60 2,872,506.50 2,182,304.90 2,657,484.00 36,741,818.90

7,167,876.50 7,429,841.40 6,222,225.00 8,079,057.90 61,180,805.90

979,856.13

2,000,000.00 39,680.00 299,466.00 98,022.00 1,968,813.00 299,900.00 1,550,000.00 79,000.00 730,657.00 856,778.36

979,856.13 23,459,130.87

35,625.00 45,385.00 277,151.67 628,057.25 490,700.00 279,360.00 9,678,595.28 27,063,223.62

2,000,000.00 39,680.00 299,466.00 98,022.00 1,968,813.00 299,900.00 1,550,000.00 79,000.00 730,657.00 1,836,634.49 35,625.00 45,385.00 277,151.67 628,057.25 490,700.00 279,360.00 10,658,451.41 50,522,354.49

33,725,757.69 21,965,706.60

Interest Expenses Other Expenses Total Cash Outflow Net Cash from Operating Activities

235,710.94 34,349,326.95 90,276,502.18 20,093,938.55

Cash Flow From Investing Activites

17,203,174.67 17,203,174.67 (17,203,174.67)

Total

13,992,169.80 5,359,536.50 1,908,115.50 5,025,339.10

Cash Outflows Payments To Creditors/Suppliers To Employees

Cash Outflows To Purchase of Property, Plant & Equipment To Purchase of Debt Securities of Other Entities To Grant/Make Loan to Other Entities Total Cash Outflow Net Cash from Investing Activities

LOCAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT FUND UTILIZATION For the Quarter 2nd, CY 2015 City of Tacurong

Particulars

Cash Inflows Collection from Taxpayers Share from Internal Revenue Collection Receipts from Sale of Goods and Services Interest Income Dividend Income Other Receipts Total Cash Inflow

Cash Inflows From Sale of Property, Plant & Equipment From Sale of Debt Securities of Other Entities From Collection of Principal on Loans to Other Entities Total Cash Inflow

FDP Form 8 - Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund Utilization

Province/City/Municipality/Barangay:

Cash Flow From Operating Activites

15.30 1,200,000.00 320,000.00

264-08 Electrification 997,382.85 06/29/15 06-4005-15/CMO/ELECTRIFICATION,POWER &ENERGY 264-104 Construction in Progress - Artesian Wells, Etc. 200,000.00 03/02/15 03-1189-15/CMO OFFICE/INSTALLATION OF POTABLE WATER SUPPLY-BR Subtotal 2,717,398.15 TOTAL HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 2,717,398.15

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS As of June 30, 2015

Cash Flow From Financing Activites Cash Inflows From Issuance of Debt Securities From Acquisition of Loan Total Cash Inflow

Cash Outflows Retirement/Redemption of Debt Securities Payment of Loan Amortization of Loan Total Cash Outflow Net Cash from Financing Activities

Net Increase in Cash

2,053,889.21 2,053,889.21 (2,053,889.21)

836,874.67

Add: Cash Balance, Beginning

191,033,868.66

Cash Balance, End

191,870,743.33

Certified correct:

Certified correct: RUDILIZA A. BELLO Administrative Officer IV

ELMA D. BIDES, CPA City Accountant

GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 11 ELMA D. BIDES, CPA CITY ACCOUNTANT

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF TACURONG PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT OFFICE OF THE CITY ACCOUNTANT SEF FUND UTILIZATION For the Quarter ending June 30, 2015 Fund: 200 Account

Acct Code

BEGINNING BALANCE

290,434.14

Receipts from SEF Special education Tax Interest Income

591 664

Less: Disbursements Personal Services Salaries and Wages - Casual Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) Productivity Incentive Allowance Longevity Pay Cash Gift Year End Bonus Life and Retirement Insurance Contributions-G.S. PAG-IBIG Contributions PHILHEALTH Contributions ECC Contributions Terminal Leave Benefits-Retirement

4,225,272.19 3,800.62

4,229,072.81

705 711 717 722 724 725 731 732 733 734 742-1

416,490.89 80,000.00 32,000.00 10,000.00 37,500.00 85,764.50 52,290.24 7,443.68 5,025.00 3,721.84 88,357.60

818,593.75

Maintenance & Other Operating Expenses Traveling Expense - Local -Tranings & Sem. - Sports Dev't -TRAININGS & SEM-DISTRICT OFFICE Gasoline, Oil and Lubricants Expense Water Expenses Electricity Expenses Telephone Expenses - Landline INternet Expenses Repair & Maint - Motor Vehicles Other Maintenance and Operating Expenses

751 753-1 753-3 761 766 767 772 774 841 969

47,132.32 203,019.35 30,000.00 8,340.00 23,441.80 77,740.43 21,937.11 11,549.88 36,480.00 10,000.00

469,640.89

Capital Outlay Communication Equipment Construction in Progress - Agency Assets

229 264

89,750.00 377,325.57

467,075.57

BALANCE END

2,764,196.74

We hereby certify that we have reviewed the contents and hereby attest to the veracity and correctness of the data or information contained in this document.

ELMA D. BIDES, CPA City Accountant

LINA O. MONTILLA City Mayor

12 l Goodwill Magazine

FDP Form 6-Trust Fund Utilization Consolidated Quarterly Report on Government Projects, Programs or Activities For the 2nd Quarter, CY 2015 City of Tacurong Location Program or Project

Account Code

Total Cost

Date Started

Target Completion Date

Project Status % of Total Cost Incurred Completion to Date

CSWD Feeding Program 2014 424-12 Tacurong City 1,807,200.00 100.00% CSWD Feeding Program 2015 424-12 Tacurong City 1,920,000.00 0.00% DA Implementation of Organic Trading Post 416-26 Tacurong City 1,350,000.00 97.37% DA Organic Agriculture Project 416-27 Tacurong City 878,940.00 99.68% DA Rice Agenda for 2012 416-40 Tacurong City 500,000.00 78.07% DILG-MDG Faces Project Fund 416-39 Tacurong City 300,000.00 100.00% DOH Region XII-DOTS Waiting Area 416-08 Tacurong City 200,000.00 63.29% DOH Region XII-HLGP Program 416-43 Tacurong City 250,000.00 99.98% CSWD-Const.& Upgrading of Day Care Center 416-41 Tacurong City 200,000.00 0.00% PDAF 2012 Medical Assistance 416-35 Tacurong City 2,000,000.00 100.00% PDAF 2012 Scholarship Program 416-36 Tacurong City 10,000,000.00 99.97% PDAF 2012 Social Services 416-37 Tacurong City 2,000,000.00 24.95% Philhealth-Prevents Fund Allocation 416-44 Tacurong City 878,920.00 0.00% Population Commission RO XII 424-15 Tacurong City 400,502.66 28.98% Social Pension-Senior Citizen 424-13 Tacurong City 4,005,000.00 80.00% Special Local Road Fund (SLRF) 416-31 Tacurong City 1,419,745.50 100.00% Special Local Road Fund (SLRF) 2013 416-48 Tacurong City 964,522.00 0.00% DOLE-Livelihood Grant-106 Starter Kit 416-46 Tacurong City 748,436.00 0.00% DOLE-Livelihood Grant-50 KABUHAYAN NEGO KART 416-47 Tacurong City 749,000.00 0.00% We hereby certify that we have reviewed the contents and hereby attest to the veracity and correctness of the data or information contained in this document. Certified Correct:

Verified By:

ELMA D. BIDES, CPA City Accountant

LINA O. MONTILLA City Mayor

911.04 refund from kaiser (77,980.50) ca

2,012.20

116,080.00 ca hinayhinay 598,500.00 ca robles

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS As of June 30, 2015 Fund: 300 (Trust Fund Consolidation)

Fund: 200 (Special Education Fund) Cash Flow From Operating Activites

Other Expenses Total Cash Outflow Net Cash from Operating Activities

1,920,000.00 35,536.52 2,820.99 109,641.05 73,416.00 55.00 200,000.00 2,606.47 1,501,076.00 878,920.00 284,422.66 801,000.00 964,522.00 748,436.00 749,000.00

1,807,200.00 1,314,463.48 876,119.01 390,358.95 300,000.00 126,584.00 249,945.00 2,000,000.00 9,997,393.53 498,924.00 116,080.00 3,204,000.00 1,419,745.50 -

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS As of June 30, 2015

Cash Outflows Payments To Creditors/Suppliers To Employees

Remarks

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF TACURONG PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT OFFICE OF THE CITY ACCOUNTANT

Cash Inflows Interest Income Other Receipts Total Cash Inflow

No. Of Extentions, if any

Cash Flow From Operating Activites Cash Inflows Other Receipts Total Cash Inflow

3,800.62 5,930,945.32 5,934,745.94

Cash Outflows Payments To Creditors/Suppliers Other Expenses Total Cash Outflow Net Cash from Operating Activities

503,861.22 535,576.74 626,266.85 1,665,704.81 4,269,041.13

9,136,590.31 9,136,590.31

3,023,599.43 1,488,900.00 4,512,499.43 4,624,090.88

Cash Flow From Investing Activites Net Cash from Investing Activities

Cash Flow From Investing Activites Cash Inflows From Collection of Principal on Loans to Other Entities Total Cash Inflow Cash Outflows To Purchase of Property, Plant & Equipment Total Cash Outflow Net Cash from Investing Activities Net Increase in Cash

Cash Flow From Financing Activites Total Cash Inflow

Cash Outflows Net Cash from Financing Activities

431,754.09 431,754.09

(431,754.09) 3,837,287.04

Add: Cash Balance, Beginning

13,445,633.84

Cash Balance, End

17,282,920.88

Net Increase in Cash

4,624,090.88

Add: Cash Balance, Beginning

42,963,456.72

Cash Balance, End

47,587,547.60

Certified correct:

Certified correct: ELMA D. BIDES, CPA CITY ACCOUNTANT

ELMA D. BIDES, CPA CITY ACCOUNTANT

GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 13

Mga benepisyaro ng BUB-SLP sa Syudad ng Tacurong

DAGDAG KAPITAL, PAGSASANAY

HATID NG BUB SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM

“Ang Sustainable Livelihood Program o SLP ay ipinapatupad natin kasama ang LGU upang makapamuhay ng masigla at tumaas ang kita ng bawat pamilya..from merely surviving to being self-sufficient.” Ito ang pahayag ni SLP-Community Driven Enterprise Development Officer Ibrahim Sangcopan ng DSWD XII sa Launching Program ng Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) SLP sa Syudad ng Tacurong, May 7. Ang inilunsad na BUB-SLP ay para sa 615 indibidwal, 300 sa mga ito ay kabilang sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program o 4Ps. Sa ilalim ng programang ito, bibigyan

ng capital assistance ang 300 4Ps beneficiaries na may maliliit na negosyo pati na ang 150 miyembro ng livelihood associations sa syudad. Ang capital assistance ay ibabahagi sa pamamagitan ng SEA-K mechanism. Bago pa man makatanggap ng capital assistance, ang mga benepisyaryo ay sasailalim sa financial management seminar. Dagdag pa rito, ang BUB-SLP ay magbibigay din ng mga pagsasanay o skills training sa 165 na out-of-school youth at unemployed adults mula sa iba’t ibang barangay sa syudad. Target naming gawing regular ang SLP dito sa Tacurong dahil nakita namin ang

Balut vendors to receive DOLE Nego Karts Fifty (50) members of Tacurong City Balot Vendors Association will receive P749 Thousand worth of livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under its DOLE-Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program or DILEEP. With the amount DOLE extended, the LGU will purchase and customize mobile stalls for the balut vendors, also known as Nego Carts. The LGU, through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), lobbied for said assistance in 2014. Mayor Lina O. Montilla shared the good news to the balut vendors during the launching of DSWD’s BUB-Funded Sustainable Livelihood Program in Tacurong on May 7, 2015.

buong suporta ng LGU sa programa at ang success ng mga nakaraang programa,” dagdag pa ni Sangcopan. Noong ika-8 ng Hulyo, bumisita ang DSWD XII sa Tacurong upang maidokumento ang success stories ng mga naging benepisyaryo ng SLP sa mga nakaraang taon lalo na ang mga massage therapists at balut vendors. JLCBillano

BUB-SLP Skills Training

Consumer Electronics NC II Massage Therapy NC II Hair Science & Beauty Culture Home Care Products Making T-Shirt Printing Upgrading of Water Lily Bags & Novelty Items Utilization of Indigenous Materials Basic Novelty Production Motorcycle/Small Engine Servicing NC II

What’s [in] a NEGO KART? BMX Bicycle with sidecar rechargeable lamp cart signages raw eggs/balot.(3 trays)

14 l Goodwill Magazine

round tin box (for balot) vest uniform softdrinks (2 cases)

Mayor Lina Montilla receives the check for the livelihood assistance of balut vendors from DOLE XII Regional Director Ofelia Domingo at the DOLE Regional Office in Koronadal City on May 6, 2015.

DA: HYTA WILL INCREASE FARMERS’ YIELD Ramon B. Losañes & Amie D. Tomala

With their participation in the High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) project of the Department of Agriculture (DA), farmers with baseline yield of 4.5 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha) in Region XII are expected to increase their yield by 0.8 MT/ha. Under the HYTA, members of Irrigators’ Associations (IA) in Tacurong City received a total of 701 bags of certified inbred seeds and 701 bags of Urea fertilizers on May 14, 2015. The project is under the Department’s Agri-Pinoy Rice Program. DA aims to continue the historical record of the palay harvest every year to move closer to rice self-sufficiency. HYTA participants will also follow a “modified pass-over

scheme”. A farmer who received one bag (40 kg) of Certified Seeds and one bag (50 kg) Urea will have to return the same materials after harvest. The IA President will collect the materials from the farmer and remit it to the nearest seed grower cooperative. The collected materials will be availed by the next participating IA for three consecutive harvest seasons. The launching and distribution of the said inputs at National Food Authority-Southern Philippine Grains Complex (NFA-SPGC), Tacurong City was spearheaded by Amalia J. Datukan, the Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII). Photo by Carlos Ng

Tacurong farmers receive P2.4M CROP INSURANCE

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) distributed P2.4 million worth of indemnity checks to 290 farmers in Tacurong City on April 15, 2015. The farmers-beneficiaries who received checks during said activity were those who suffered crop damages last cropping season due to pest, diseases, and calamities. Damages were evaluated by technicians of the Office of the City Agricultural Services and by adjusters of PCIC.

According to PCIC, a farmer must first be a member of the corporation to avail such benefit. “Daku ang nadula sa amon tungod sang stemborer kag blackbug. Amo nga nami ini nga programa sang gobyerno para makabulig sa farmers nga makabawi sa mga gastos sa uma,” said Analyn Cortel, a farmer from Brgy. Baras, Tacurong City. This program, which started in 2014, is being funded by the Department of Budget and Management. JLCBillano

Photos: (L) Councilor Joselito Cajandig Sr. and PCIC XII Manager hand a check to a farmer-beneficiary. (R) Personnel of LGU Office for the Agricultural Services and PCIC XII with farmers who received indemnity checks on April 15, 2015.

GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 15

BALIK ESKWELA LIMPYO KALOG

Good News

Tulong-tulong ang mga kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Tacurong at iba’t-ibang ahensya, at mga residente at opisyales ng mga barangay sa ginanap na Balik-Eskwela Limpyo Kalog (Linis Kanal) sa syudad, ika-30 ng Mayo 2015. Ang nasabing gawain ay pinasinayaan ng LGU bilang suporta sa DepEd at sa mga paaralan. Hinimok ng LGU ang iba’t-ibang sektor na linisin at gawing ligtas ang mga paaralan mula sa mga sanhi ng sakit o kapahamakan na dala ng madumi at baradong mga daluyan ng tubig. Ang Limpyo Kalog ay regular na gawain ng LGU bilang suporta rin sa AntiDengue Campaign ng DOH at upang maiwasan ang pagbaha sa syudad at mga barangay. Ang gawaing ito ay brainchild ni Councilor Psyche M. Sucaldito.

PULOT UPOS Ang lahat ng sektor ay inaanyayahang sumuporta sa Absolute No Smoking Ordinance ng Syudad ng Tacurong para sa mas malusog na komunidad. Upang higit na mapalaganap ang kaalaman sa nasabing adhikain, iba’t ibang gawain ang isinagawa. Noong ika-20 ng Mayo, apatnapu’t limang (45) grantees ng Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) ang umikot sa pamilihang bayan at namulot ng mga nakakalat na upos ng sigarilyo. Nakaipon sila ng 1 kilong upos sa loob ng isang araw.

Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. Anne Frank

16 l Goodwill Magazine

KASAMA SA KALUSUGAN Nagbigay ng 23 sets ng sphygmomanometer o BP apparatus at thermometer ang Siy Cha Group of Companies sa LGU Tacurong City noong May 18, 2015. Ang mga kagamitan ay ibinigay naman ng LGU sa 23 barangay health stations na pinamamahalaan ng Office of the City Health Services. Malaki ang pasasalamat ng LGU sa Siy Cha sa suporta nito sa programang pangkalausugan. “Ang bulig sa aton sang mga ara sa pribado nga sektor nagahatag pa guid sa aton sang inspirasyon nga ipadayon ang aton nga mga programa sa komunidad,” wika ni Mayor Lina O. Montilla.

PANGANGALAGA SA KABATAAN

MORINGA REPUBLIC

“Kailangang magtulungan ang lahat ng sektor upang magabayan ang kabataan sa mas mabuting landas at hinid na tumaas ang kanilang involvement sa kriminalidad,” wika ni Councilor Psyche Sucaldito, SP Committee Chairperson on Gender and Development sa mga kalahok sa orientation tungkol sa Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344) noong ika-2 ng Hunyo 2015. Ang orientation ay nilahukan ng mga barangay kagawad, PNPTacurong personnel na pinamumunuan ni City Police Chief Junny Buenacosa, at kinatawan ng DepEd. Sa nasabing orientation ay nagbigay ng updates ang DSWD XII at CSWDO ng status ng Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) sa Sultan Kudarat at sa Tacurong. Ipinaalam din sa kanila ang revised implementing rules and regulations ng RA 9344 as amended by RA 10630 at ang kanilang responsibilidad sa pagpapatupad nito.

Higit 300 SPES beneficiaries, pulis, at mga sundalo ang samasamang nagtanim upang maitatag ang Moringa (Malunggay) Republic sa Syudad ng Tacurong noong ika-13 ng Mayo 2015. Ang Moringa Republic ay nasa isang ektaryang lote sa Barangay San Pablo na pag-aari ng lokal na pamahalaan. Ito ay pinamamahalaan ng Office for the Development of Cooperatives. Bukod sa malunggay ay tatamnan pa ang nasabing lugar ng iba’t-ibang gulay. Ang mga maaani sa Moringa Republic ay gagamitin upang suportahan ang Busog Lusog Talino School Feeding Program ng LGU sa anim na elementary schools. Bukas din ang LGU sa maaaring maging papel ng Moringa Republic sa feeding activities ng iba pang paaralan.

BIRD FLU FREE Idineklarang negatibo sa Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) ang blood samples na kuha mula sa mga ibon sa Baras Bird Sanctuary, Syudad ng Tacurong noong Mayo 2015. Sa liham ng Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) para sa City Veterinary Office (CVO), nakasaad ang nasabing resulta ng AIV Antibody Detection ELISA Test na isinagawa sa mga ipinadalang blood samples ng CVO. Nagpasalamat din ang BAI sa suporta ng Tacurong sa Avian Influenza Protection Program.

PARANGAL SA OFW Nakuha ng Tacurong City OFW Association ang parangal sa Community Service Award Category sa nakaraang Regional Search for Outstanding OFW Association ng OWWA XII. Ginanap ang awarding rites noong Migrant Workers Day, ika-7 ng Hunyo 2015 sa Polomolok, South Cotabato.

GOODWILL MAGAZINE l 17

This feature story won 1st Place in the Regional Search for Best Feature Story Award of DOLE XII

By Allan S. Freno

mid the early morning chaos in the public market, an old-looking and scrawny man is in a hurry fixing a broken tire of a push cart. He needs to get going. Every minute of the morning rush hours is precious. His income for the day largely depends on how many customers hire his services to haul their products from the gates of the public market to their stalls inside. Devoting more than half of his life as manugkariton (one who pushes cart for a living) in and around the public market, the hard labor had taken its toll to the body of Crisanto Absalon. He is just 40 years old but his gaunt body betrays his age. The sole breadwinner in a family of seven, he cannot afford to be sick and tired lest they will have nothing to eat. Residing in Barangay Upper Katungal, Crisanto has to endure seven kilometers of daily travel to reach the public market on board his decrepit bicycle. Before he could even start the daily grind of pushing cart, his muscles were already strained by the tiring travel. Crisanto started as a sidewalk vendor in the old public

18 l Goodwill Magazine

market of Tacurong City. On ordinary days, he would be lucky to earn P150 a day. When the market was razed by fire in 1992 and temporarily transferred to the public plaza, Crisanto saw an opportunity for a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;career changeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. He, along with other vendors, shifted to pushing carts. Income for a manugkariton was better compared to that of a sidewalk vendor. But since owning a cart had been almost impossible, Crisanto and the others were compelled to rent the carts they used. At the end of the day, it was the cart owners getting a chunk of their income. In 1992, there were already more than 30 manugkaritons plying around the market. The increasing number concerned the pioneer members because they were also tightening the competition among them. That common problem paved way for the members to organize themselves into an informal group they called Tacurong Cart Labor Organization. Although the organization gave them an identity acknowledged by the market management, policies on how to run their organization were totally absent. In 1994, Domingo Baron of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sultan Kudarat Field Office met with the members and helped the group organize as an association. The group, changing its name to Tacurong Cart Services Association (TACASA), crafted its by-laws and registered

Kariton.. with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When the newly-constructed public market was established in mid-1990s, TACASA imposed a policy urging their members to have their own carts. Some who could not really afford to assemble one decided to pool their money just to have a cart. It was a common sight then that two manugkaritons owned the same cart. At the very least, they were able to do away with renting. Market Supervisor Elias Bustamante witnessed how TACASA evolved into a strong association through the years. “There are several organized groups within the public market and I expected TACASA to be one of those difficult to deal with but they proved me wrong” Bustamante said. “In fact, TACASA is currently the most diligent in paying their monthly dues and officers were even able to enforce suspension policies to erring members”. However, owning a cart still persisted as the biggest problem of many members. And since they could not afford to own heavy-duty carts, they settled to build frail ones that could only last for two years the longest. The Field Office of DOLE in Sultan Kudarat, taking notice of how strong an organization TACASA was, prioritized the group as recipient of its DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). Fourteen sturdy carts were awarded to the association in 2013. DOLE Field Officer Arlene Bisnon said that her personal experience as a regular market-goer in Tacurong made her aware of the significant presence of manugkaritons inside. “You can see them pushing carts around the public market and it makes you wonder what could be the life of stall owners without them”, Bisnon said. The livelihood project had been a huge help to the manugkaritons. For one thing, each was able to own a cart. In the case of Crisanto, he did not have to spend big amount of money to replace his dilapidated cart. Second, his income steadied because he is earning not less than P300 on average days and the income even shoots up to P700 during market days. For the first time in his life, he felt secure and stable. “There were times that we in the TACASA felt belittled because of our job” Crisanto said. “We allow people to just push us around.” Not anymore. Their mindset took a 90 degrees turn because of the attention given to them by institutions like the DOLE. Prior to the help he got from DOLE, Crisanto was uncertain if he could send all his children to school. He even considered convincing his eldest son to stop schooling. He was thankful he did not. Right now, all his children of school age are attending school. “I think giving my children the education they need is the only legacy I could pass on to them”. In September 2014, Crisanto was even able to buy a new motorcycle to replace his bicycle that has long been begging to retire. Crisanto now sees brighter days for his family. Pushing cart may not be the most honored profession but it is what keeps him and other manugkaritons going. It is their hope. It is their life. The manugkaritons are no longer pushovers in the public market. They are part of it. And the government, in its desire of attaining inclusive growth, is making sure that the likes of Crisanto are not left behind.

Kalinga sa mga Batang Lansangan:

Realizing Dreams

“Gusto ko makatuon magbasa.” Eleven-year old Kevin (not his real name) admits he cannot read even if he was able to attend third grade. He comes from a broken family and has been involved in theft cases in the city. Kevin is the youngest among the 27 beneficiaries who decided to avail of the free ALS education under the Kalinga sa mga Batang Lansangan Year 5 of the LGU. The Kalinga 2015 opened on June 25. ALS stands for Alternative Learning System. His classmates in Kalinga include fellow Children in Conflict with Law and other out-of-school youth who comes from familybeneficiaries of the 4Ps program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Dreams Kevin was encouraged by a city social worker who had been handling his case since 2014. “Hindi [ko] maglagaw-lagaw para makagraduate [sa ALS],” Kevin mused. “Ano himuon mo pag makabalo ka na magbasa kag makagraduate ka?” “Mag baligya ko sang karne sa palengke..negosyo.” Kevin’s vision, as simple as it may seem, is what fuels Kalinga sa mga Batang Lansangan. “These children need to have a vision. We have to help them dream and work for their betterment,” stated Councilor Psyche M. Sucaldito who authored the City Ordinance 03-2014 insitutionalizing Kalinga sa mga Batang Lansangan and allocating funds thereof. Kalinga sa mga Batang Lansangan Kalinga sa mga Batang Lansangan offers free ALS classes, provides students with school supplies and uniforms, provide recreation and sports activities, spiritual counseling, and free snacks and lunch every schoolday. The Tacurong City Police Office, just like in the previous years of Kalinga, provides free rides for the students every school day for their safety. “Dito sa Kalinga, hindi lang pagbabasa at pagbilang ang ituturo kundi skills na makakatulong sa inyo sa paghahanap-buhay,” Cluster ALS Coordinator Adonis Gatcho addressed the Kalinga students. Skills training is also offered by the City Social Welfare and Development Office. “We also see to it that children are taught about discipline and responsibility”, stressed City Crisis Intervention Center for Children and Women Head Nancy Bawe. “With that, they will definitely achieve their dreams,” she added. In January 2015, nine beneficiaries of Kalinga passed the ALS Acceleration and Equivalency Test. Kalinga is now on its fifth year and has been recognized as a community-based literacy and preventive intervention program for street children and CICL. JLCBillano

CVM Lechonsito, City councilors finish doctorate, master’s degrees

The members of the City Legislative Council who enrolled in the academic programs offered by the Philippine Councilors League–Legislative Academy (PCL-LA) have now graduated from their respective courses. City Vice Mayor Joseph George L. Lechonsito and City Councilors Psyche M. Sucaldito, Rodrigo P. Jamorabon, and Ariel Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz gained their Doctorate Degree in Public Administration as they marched on May 15, 2015 at Le Duc Hotel, Dagupan City, Pangasinan. Meanwhile, Councilors Charito L. Collado, Joselito L. Cajandig, Sr., and Welson U. Ferrer, graduated as Masters in Public Administration subsequently on May 25th at Bukidnon State University, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Pursuant to Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2011180, the PCL-LA offered short-term courses for local legislators, as well as, other government officials and personnel who are interested to avail the program. This is to further develop the knowledge and skills of local legislators towards good governance as what our city officials are looking forward to. The City Government of Tacurong extends its warmest congratulations to the graduates! Kristel Joy H. Decipolo

Doctorate degree holders - Councilor Ariel Ferdinand dela Cruz, Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, and Councilor Psyche Sucaldito during their graduation rites in Dagupan City.

Master’s Degree holders - Councilor Welson U. Ferrer, Councilor Charito L. Collado, and Councilor Joselito L. Cajandig Sr. during their graduation rites in Bukidnon State University.

Tacurong Taekwondo jins bag 6 golds, 4 silvers in regional tourney All ten players of Tacurong City team won medals in the 2015 New Face of the Year Taekwondo Championship held at SM Trade Hall in General Santos City on June 27, 2015. Gold medalists included Alexi Bañas, Johana Acob, Joanna Espulgar, Ivan Malicudio, Gabriel Arellano and Maxine Palpalatoc. Four players fought in the gold medal rounds but failed in their campaign thus settled for silver medals. They were: Prince Lictawa, Carl Joshua Biaxoma, Carl Echavez and Dexter dela Fuente. The team is coached by Charles Naecolt Saavedra. City Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon, head of the Tacurong delegation, commended the performance of the athletes. “The medals the athletes garnered proved that they gave their best in the competition,” Jamorabon said. ASFreno

20 l Goodwill Magazine

On June 24, heavy and continuous rains caused the Kapingkong River to overflow. It caused severe flooding in surrounding areas. Affected barangays include Rajah Muda, Baras, and EJC Montilla. Tacurong City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor Lina O. Montilla reported zero casualty in the said incident. “We are thankful that residents in the affected barangays were very cooperative during the evacuation operations,” stated Montilla. The CDRRMC had been monitoring the water level in Kapingkong River and decided to immediately conduct preemptive evacuation. CDRRMC worked with barangay DRRMCs and rescue teams, PNP-Tacurong, Philippine Army, and TRACER in ushering evacuees to the barangay halls that served as their refuge. The City Social Welfare Office recorded a total of 1,668 evacuees in the affected barangays. CDRRMC has also been quick to respond to the needs of the evacuees by providing food, clothes, water, and medicines. Evacuees started to return to their homes in the morning of June 25. LGU-Tacurong enforces City Ordinance 01-2013, an ordinance requiring forced evacuation in times of emergency and disaster. City Agriculturist Ramon Losañes said that a total of 112 hectares of farm lands were damaged by the flood. Damage to crops were estimated to reach P4 million. He also reported that around 40 meters span of the NIA dikes located in Barangay Baras were destroyed by the flood. The heavy rains also affected the Province of South Cotabato with flash floods and landslides. ASFreno/JLCBillano

GO GREEN!

JUNE IS NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONTH

HIGHLIGHTS June 10

Anti-Smoke Belching Campaign

June 12

Roadside Greening by Lifebank Foundation Inc.

June 22

Environmental Awareness Campaign

June 25

Roadside Beautification Project in celebration of the National Arbor Day

June 27

Participation in the Adopt an Estero Program of Kenram Palmoil Industries Inc.

Source: City Environment and Natural Resources Office

NATIONAL ARBOR DAY.

At least 100 individuals participated in the Roadside Beautification Project of LGU-Tacurong in celebration of the National Arbor Day on June 25. Barangay officials and residents, personnel of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and Department of Public Works and Highways planted ornamental plants along Calean Bridge to Barangay Kalandagan. The CENRO initiated the activity with Councilor Joselito L. Cajandig Sr., SP Committee Chairperson on Environment.