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The City of Tacurong’s progress is driven by the unity of its people. We are called the City of Goodwill because our asset lies in the heart of our citizenry. Ang paghugpong amo ang sikreto sa aton pag-umwad. We, the leaders and servants in the city government, believe that our collective action help us go the extra mile in public service. Alone, I can only do so little. So, we all work hard TOGETHER. Our accomplishments and their impact on the lives of our people are over and beyond the awards we received in 2015 and even in the past years. Good governance is practiced mainly for quality public service. However, these recognitions assure us that indeed we are on the right and fair track. Magkakasama tayo sa Daang Matuwid. I thank our public officials and civil servants for their selflessness, hardwork and dedication to service. It is not the job or career that gives dignity to the people; it is the people who make every task, every action, and every job noble through honesty, accountability, and respect to the inherent value of each individual. The genuine support and contribution of Tacurongnons to our development efforts is also very priceless. I am proud of our city, and I am proud of our people. I am Mayor Lina O. Montilla, thanking you all for this wonderful year and looking forward to more days and years of progress and empowerment with you. May God bless us all.
Full story on page 19
Operation Blessing Incorporated donated customized wheelchairs to 33 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Tacurong City. With the assistance of the City Council on Disability Affairs, Operation Blessing identified PWDs in need of the assistance on September 2015. Beneficiaries included children with cerebral palsy and elders. The 601st Brigade of the Philippine Army helped deliver the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries’ houses. A ceremonial turn-over was conducted on 19 October 2015 during the LGU Flag Raising Ceremony.
LGU, DSWD urge families to adopt children legally “We are advocating legal adoption for the best interest of the child. Kung legal ang pag-ampon, secured ang rights ng anak mo at hindi sya maiipit sa mga circumstances in the future,” addressed Melba Souribio of Department of Social Welfare and Development XII to the participants of the the forum on Alternative Parental Care Program conducted in Tacurong City on November 4, 2015. The forum which carried the theme Legal na Ampon Ako, Anak na Totoo, was organized in partnership with LGU-Tacurong City. “Legally adopted children have legal identity unlike those whose birth is simulated,” added Suribio. Simulation of birth certificates is a crime, according to DSWD. Simulation is done when adopting parents put their names as parents on a child’s birth certificate. DSWD strongly discourages simulation of birth certificates. Under Philippine law, those found guilty of simulating birth may be punished with imprisonment of six years and one day to 12 years, and/or a fine not exceeding P50,000. Attendance to pre-adoption seminar or forum is one of the requirements to be complied by prospective adoptive parents.
Ninety pupils of Tacurong Pilot Elementary SchoolSpecial Education classes enjoyed various developmental activities during the SPED Fund Day on 10 November 2015 at the Tacurong City Children’s Park. The City Social Welfare and Development Office facilitated activities such as hand washing, bubble-making, superhero acts, and arts and crafts. Selected children with special abilities also showcased their talents in singing and dancing. Various individuals and organizations also celebrated with the children by giving loot bags, toys, and prizes. These include Councilor Psyche Sucaldito, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, Tacurong PNP Chief Junny Buenacosa, Rotaract Club of Talakudong, Rotary Club of Tacurong, and Lee Kay Kee Inc. SPED is being supported by the LGU Tacurong by allocating funds for procurement of learning materials and for the conduct of relevant events like the Fun Day.
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ADOPTION
a socio-legal process of giving private family to a child whose parents have voluntarily/involuntarily given up their parental rights
FOSTER CARE a social work intervention which provides planned substitute parental care to a child whose parents are unable to care for him/her temporarily. Only licensed foster families can provide such help.
For inquiries on adoption and foster care, please see Mr. Danilo Lepalim of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (064-562-0172).
Ryan Paul Enitorio, a student of San Emmanuel National High School-Annex occupied the mayoral post in a three-day role playing activity wherein student leaders of schools in Tacurong are given the opportunity to observe first-hand as well as take part in the works of the government officials. Ryan Paul, who is sharing table with the Mayor Lina Montilla, was elected by his fellow student leaders to be the mini version of the mayor from November 16 to 18, 2015. Other students acted as the little vice mayor, councilors, and heads of offices. This activity was facilitated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Local Council for the Protection of Children in line with the Children’s Month celebration.
Twenty five dog lovers attended the Dog Psychology Seminar facilitated by the City Veterinary Services on November 6, 2015. Most of the participants are members of the Canine Club of Tacurong learned the different meanings of dog behaviors and proper care to pet dogs. Onayd Lumbao, the resource speaker, is the author of ‘Mag-Aso Ay Di Biro’ , the first book written by a Filipino about understanding dogs in the Philippine context.
Officers of the Day Care Parents Association were inducted by Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito during the Children’s Olympics on 18 December 2016. The LGU supports the operation of 52 Day Care Centers in the city through its Day Care Service Program.
Almost 150 individuals including students and barangay officials signed the pledge of commitment to Stop Human Trafficking during Tacurong City’s observance of the International Day Against Human Trafficking, 9 November 2015. The Sangguniang Panlungsod led by Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito also signed the commitment. According to vice mayor, LGU-Tacurong enforces the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Ordinance of the City of Tacurong” in support of the advocacy. The observance of the International Day Against Human Trafficking is part of the 18-day Anti Violence Against Women (VAW) campaign, which began on November 25, 2015.
October to December 2015
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Balut vendors bring home new Nego-Karts by Jezereel Louise Billano-Fabreag
Fifty members of the Balut Vendors Association in Tacurong City each received a Nego-Kart worth P14, 980 .00. The first batch of beneficiaries which totaled to 25 balut vendors received their NegoKarts on 20 November 2015. The second batch composed of 25 balut vendors received their Nego-Karts on 4 January 2016. Each set of Nego Kart comes with three trays of raw eggs/balut, 2 cases of softdrinks, vest, rechargeable lamp, tin box, and BMX bicycle. In support of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program or DILEEP, Pepsi-Cola Philippines gave additional two cases of softdrinks, one case of bottled water, and a cooler for each beneficiary. The Nego-Kart project, funded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is intended to provide decent livelihood benefiting the marginal workers of the country’s informal sector, specifically the ambulant vendors. The project is a grant, which means that beneficiaries need not worry about repayment. The city government, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), takes charge in the monitoring of the livelihood project.
DOLE earmarks P1.4M worth of livelihood aid for Tacurong by Allan S. Freno The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12 issued to the city government of Tacurong a check worth P1.4 million as livelihood assistance for the city’s informal sector. Mayor Lina Montilla and City Accountant Elma Bides received the check from DOLE 12 Director Ofelia Domingo in a simple turnover ceremony at DOLE 12 Regional Office in Koronadal City on November 4, 2015. The fund is under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting or GPB, now known as Bottom Up Budgeting or BUB, and intended as livelihood assistance under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) in form of Kabuhayan starter kits or negokarts. DOLE and LGU aim to reach 140 individuals including persons with disability (PWD), former OFWs, electricians and dressmakers. Most of the beneficiaries are graduates of the skills training programs of the Local Government Unit (LGU). The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will be in charge in the implementation and monitoring of the project.
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Second batch of balut vendors to receive the DOLE Nego Karts create a qeue during the turn-over ceremony on January 4, 2016.
LGU turns over P150K for palm arts livelihood by Yentl Mae T. Robles
From trash to cash. A young livelihood organization in Tacurong City proved that there is money to be made in products made of unlikely materials, in this case, palm fronds and recyclable plastic. That’s why on January 15, 2016, the City Government of Tacurong, through Hon. City Mayor Lina O. Montilla, turned over Php150,000 worth of funding to the SEA-K Palm Arts Association in the conference room of the Tacurong City Hall. The said amount is a chunk of the Tacurong-LGU’s counterpart in the Bottom-Up Budgeting in 2015. Present during the turn over were Livelihood Committee Chairman, City Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon; DILG Operations Officer, Mr. Alberto Sero; City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Ms. Eufemia Robles; and members of the Palm Arts Association. The Palm Arts Association was organized in 2015 by the CSWD. Comprised of 30 members, they underwent skills training in crafts-making using palm fronds and other recycled materials such as egg shells and plastic materials. Today, the members are able to produce home decors and souvenirs among others, which they market and sell around Tacurong City.
by Jezereel Louise Billano-Fabreag
October-December 2015
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LGUs DRAW from
TACURONG
insights
TABLET- BASED SURVEY by Jezereel Louise Billano-Fabreag
On 5 November 2015, representatives of the local government units of Arakan and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato visited Tacurong City to know its innovations in the conduct of of the Community-based Monitoring SystemAccelerated Poverty Profiling-or CBMS-APP or CBMS-APP. LGU-Tacurong is the first implementer of CBMS-APP in Region XII wherein enumerators used Android tablets that allowed enumerators to encode and store data directly to an online database.
During the bench-marking session, Tacurong CBMS-APP Core Group shared several innovations.
Civil society organizations tapped to plan anti-poverty projects by Yentl Mae T. Robles
Representatives of civil society organizations (CSO) composed 50% of the members of the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) that planned for anti-poverty projects under the Bottom-Up Budgeting program to be implemented in 2017. The workshop was conducted on 18 November 2015. During the workshop, poverty indicators in the city were presented so as to help the members identify properly the BUB projects that would best help the marginally poor constituents. The poverty indicators identified malnourished children, out of school youth, informal settlers; indigents without access to safe water, toilet, and sanitation; indigents living below the food threshhold; and the unemployed. Representatives of the different NGAs also presented their respective “Menu of Programs”, which contained the agencies’ ready-made BUB projects on offer. The LPRAT selected from these menus the projects deemed to achieve poverty reduction in 2017. The CSO representatives to the LPRAT were elected during the CSO Assembly organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government on October 23, 2015. CSO representatives brainstorm on choosing prioriy projects during the Local Poverty Reduction Action Planning on 18 November 2015.
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The LGU earmarked P1 Million pesos for the project from its disaster risk reduction and managament (DRRM) Fund. Data gathered will be used for risk reduction and management (DRRM) planning. Data validation was conducted during each barangay’s assembly starting November 2015 hence more residents were informed of the survey results in their community. “During validation, we get feedback from the community on the accuracy of the information we gathered,” said Sero. After validation, CBMS data will be given to barangay councils for the formulation of their Barangay Development Plans.
CBMS-APP innovations & best practices Involvement of barangay councils & workers
Each of the 20 barangays allocated a portion of its DRRM Fund for the meals and snacks of the survey team. Barangay officials and health workers also served as guides and key informants during the conduct of the household survey. “Malaki ang role ng barangay dahil mas kilala nila ang mga residente nila; alam nila ang lahat ng sulok kung saan may households,” said Elmer Felongco, Tacurong CBMS Project Coordinator.
Hire the best
Enumerators had undergone a rigid screening process. Those who were hired and trained were all computer literate, with experience in conducting surveys, and are not more than 40 years of age. “Using gadgets such as tablets can cause eye stress so we preferred to hire those who have clear vision,” said Alberto P. Sero Jr., Tacurong DILG Officer. The LGU assigned regular and contractual employees to serve as editors to ensure that data collected from households will still be properly processed and organized even after the conduct of the actual survey.
Pilot-testing
LGU-Tacurong chose one barangay to serve as pilot area before the formal implementation of CBMS-APP. Pilot-testing, according to the TWG, helped them identify uncertainties that may arise during full implementation.
Well-motivated survey team
“Maliit ang sahod ng enumerators pero we always make them feel important because what they are doing is really significant for the development of the whole city,” shared Alberto P. Sero Jr., Tacurong DILG Officer. Each enumerator was paid P25 for every household that he/she had surveyed. LGU vehicles were used by the survey team for easier access to far-flung barangays and to lessen transportation expenses of surveyors. Enumerators were also given free vitamins by the City Health Office to boost their health and performance.
Regular monitoring
Another crucial factor cited by the Tacurong TWG is monitoring. To closely monitor the progress of the survey, Tacurong CBMS-APP Team conducted the survey one barangay at a time. “Hindi namin pinagsabay-sabay ang lahat ng barangay dahil gusto namin na closely monitored ang survey sa bawat barangay,” Felongco stated. Editors and supervisors, including project coordinators, were deployed in the field with the enumerators. “Sama-sama kami kaya nakikita namin kaagad, first-hand ang progress at kahit ang loopholes. Nakikita naming kung valid ang concerns and if properly filled up ba ang e-questionnaire,” added Felongco.
BEEFING UP EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
The city government purchased two brand-new units of ambulances with complete basic life support equipment and supplies for improved health service and emergency response.
Volunteer firefighters undergo refresher training by Yentl Mae T. Robles
The Tacurong City Firefighters in Rescue Emergency Volunteers, popularly known as FireVol, underwent a 3-day refresher course on fire prevention and fire suppression on December 28 – 30, 2015. According to the Fire Code of the Philippines, firefighting volunteers are required to undergo refresher training in order for them to retain their Certificate of Competency (CoC) number and remain a part of the volunteer group. Seven trainers from the Tacurong City Central Fire Station, led by Acting City Fire Marshall Insp. Marjorie Jenna A. Aggabao-Resurreccion, trained the volunteers in fire subjects, firefighting apparatus, tools, and equipment; fire suppression and control; and, rescue and emergency medical operation. The training course also includeda field practicum. The firefighter volunteers of Tacurong City are composed of personnel from the Tacurong-LGU, Department of Education, Civilian Volunteers Organization, TRACER, PNP, and CAFGUTask Force Talakudong among others.
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HEALTH CHAMPION. New first aid kits were shared with all the different LGU offices and 20 barangays while 10 folding beds were given to the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) during the flag raising ceremony on November 2, 2015 held in front of the Tacurong City Hall. The said medical kits and supplies were part of the P500 thousand worth of prizes won by the City Government of Tacurong as Champion for Health Governance awarded on 29 May 2015 in Greenhills, San Juan. The city was among the only five winners of the said award among the 60 LGU entries from all over the country. The first aid kits will also be given to all the barangays in the city while the rest will add to the existing supplies of the City Health Services Office.
by Yentl Mae T. Robles
Forty-eight new rescuers from three barangays of Tacurong City have successfully completed their search and rescue (SAR) training, and will join the ranks of award-winning rescue teams in the city. On December 5, 2015, Mayor Lina O. Montilla personally accepted and presented the new rescue teams during their graduation ceremony in Barangay Baras, Tacurong City. The new rescue teams were from Upper Katungal, which has 15 members, Baras with 18 members, and New Passi with 15 members.
Barangay Captain Doroteo J. Delicana of Baras is the first barangay captain ever to personally join the training. He will lead the Baras Search and Rescue team. The three teams underwent the Search and Rescue Training on Flooding and Landslide Incidents on December 1 – 5, 2015 at the Tacurong City Hall Grounds; in Media Villa Resort in Polomolok, South Cotabato, and Maharlika Beach Resort in General Santos City. The 5-day training taught the new rescuers ropemanship, rappelling, first aid
and medical evacuation, map reading and land navigation, swimming techniques, high-line set up, and 1 mile swim. They were trained by certified SAR instructors of the city’s own rescue team, the TRACER, led by Team Leader Leonardo “Jun” Robles, Jr. and Assistant Team Leader, Amante Alcaide. There are currently eight barangays rescue teams in the city. The remaining 12 barangays are expected to organize their teams and undergo training by next year.
Tacurong City Search & Rescue Team now nationally-accredited by Yentl Mae T. Robles
The TRACER team and five other barangay search and rescue (SAR) teams of Tacurong City have become nationally accredited during the 2015 Simulation Exercises (SIMEX) on Flooding and Landslide Incidents after achieving high scores in the search and rescue skills performance exercises. The event was held last November 19 – 21, 2015 in Camp Agaab, Malungon, Saranggani Province and was conducted by the Office of the Civil Defense-Region XII, Armed Forces of the Philippines, 505 SAR Group of the Philippine Air Force, Bureau of Fire Protection-Region XII, and the Philippine Red Cross.
The said five barangay SAR teams were of barangay New Isabela, New Carmen, EJC Montilla, San Pablo, and Rajah Muda.
During the exercises, three groups from the TRACER team and one group from the barangay rescuers joined in the skills performance accreditation in land navigation, rescue high line, victim hailing, and victim management and transport. The passing score in the exercises was 55 points. The TRACER groups received 71.3, 72, and 87.5 points respectively. The barangay rescuers group garnered 78.9 points. In addition, TRACER team was awarded the Best in Victim Management and Transport, and Best in High-line Set Up; they were also given the Certificate of Competency. These awards and achievements were presented by the TRACER team and the barangay rescuers to City Mayor Lina O. Montilla during the flag raising ceremony on December 7, 2015 at the Tacurong City Hall.
Nationally-accredited search and rescue teams of Tacurong were presented to city officials headed by Mayor Lina O. Montilla and Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito on 7 December 2015.
October-December 2015
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October-December 2015
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
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October-December 2015
Indigent senior citizens receive social pension “Makabulig ining kwarta para sa mga garastuson ko sa akon panimalay,” said Mrs. Concepcion dela Cruz, a frail 80-year old widow, resident of Baranggay New Lagao, Tacurong City, during the releasing of her social pension on November 6, 2015 at the Tacurong City Hall. She, along with other beneficiaries, made a beeline to the city hall early in the morning of the said date to receive their stipend from the government worth Php3000 for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the year. This year, the Local Government Unit of Tacurong has listed 536 regular pensioners
Best Brigada Eskwela Implementers from Tacurong City.
BEST OF BRIGADA. Apolinario S. Bernardo Memorial National High School (ASBMNHS) in Brgy. Baras, Tacurong City was hailed Hall of Fame awardee in the 2015 Brigada Eskwela National Awards Program on 25 November 2015, Tanghalang Pasigueño, Pasig City. During the program, Maria A. Montilla Memorial Elementary School (MAMMES) was also recognized as Brigada Eskwela Best Implementer in Region XII. MAMMES Principal Memvie L. Alesna and ASBMNHS Principal Ma. Teresita H. Escobia accepted the award from DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro in behalf of their schools and stakeholders. Present during the ceremonies were Mayor Lina O. Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, DepEd Regional Director Allan Farnazo, and Superintendent Romelito Flores of the City Schools Division of Tacurong, and Councilors Psyche Sucaldito and Rodrigo Jamorabon.
by Yentl Mae T. Robles
A beneficiary of the social pension for the indigent elderly.
from all the different barangays of its jurisdiction; they have received their first quarter stipend worth Php1500 last May 2015. Additionally, 318 new qualified pensioners have been added to the list this quarter, and they are set to receive 3 quartersworth of their stipend, which amounts to Php4500.
With a total of 854 pensioners this year, LGU Tacurong, through the DSWD, is able to provide Php3.843 million worth of pension as of the 3rd quarter. The remaining 4th quarter stipend is expected to be released on January 2016. According to Mrs. Violeta Muyuela, president of the Office for Senior Citizens Affair in Tacurong, the pensioners are identified and validated individually in their respective barangays through the purok and are listed in the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) of the DSWD. Endemic birds in Baras Bird Sanctuary, Tacurong City.
Tacurong City launches Negosyo Center by Yentl Mae T. Robles
The Local Government of Tacurong, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Sultan Kudarat Chamber of Commerce, held the soft launching of the Tacurong City Negosyo Center on December 29, 2015. Located at the side of the Tacurong City Sports and Cultural Center, the Negosyo Center is a public facility that was established to promote ease of doing business and facilitate access to services for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It will serve as a one-stop shop business center for all existing and incoming businesses in the city where processing will only take two steps. According to the DTI and the city mayor, the goal, if possible, is to eventually offer the services of the business center for free. In attendance during the soft launching were Mayor Lina O. Montilla, Councilor Rodrigo Jamorabon, Alberto Sero of DILG-Tacurong, P/Supt Junny Buenacosa, Martin Tee of the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of DTITacurong, and various heads of premier businesses in the city.
TOURISM-ORIENTED LGU. The Department of Tourism XII recognized LGU-Tacurong City as SOX Tourism Oriented LGU on 15 December 2015 at the Sarangani Highlands, General Santos City. LGU-Tacurong was cited for its contribution to the tourism industry of SOCCSKSARGEN through the conduct of innovative programs that create awareness on environmental protection. Tacurong held its 1st Bird Festival on May 2015 with the theme Be Aware! I love and protect birds and nature. The award was turned over to Mayor Lina O. Montilla and Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito by Tourism Operations Officer Emelie Jamorabon on 4 January 2015. October-December 2015
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by Jezereel Louise Billano-Fabreag
TACEAn John D. Lechonsito was crowned as the first Lakan ng Public Sector Employees Alliance of SOCCSKSARGEN (PSEAS) during the PSEAS Cultural Competition conducted in celebration of its 15th founding anniversary October 23, 2015 in Glan, Sarangani. This was one of the three major awards won by the Tacurong City Employees’ Association (TACEA) during the event. TACEAn Michelle Gepes finished 1st runner-up in the Hiyas ng PSEAS 2015 while TACEA Dance Crew snatched the third prize in Variety Show Contest with their military dance routine. Lakan at Hiyas John and Michelle vied with representatives of 11 local unions in Region XII; they won almost all minor awards. John was named Mr. Photogenic; Best in Casual Wear; Best in Sports Attire; Best in Office Uniform; and Best in Barong Tagalog Attire. On the other hand, Michelle got the Best in Casual Wear; Best in Sexy Short; Best in Office Uniform; and Best in Filipiniana Attire. TACEAn Grace Alog, Hiyas ng PSEAS 2013, turned over the crown to the representative of General Santos City Government Employees Association. Strong alliance Present to show their support in all the events were Mayor Lina O. Montilla, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, and Councilor Psyche M. Sucaldito. “It is always a joy to participate in PSEAS events, especially that we are supported by our city officials. This is a once a year opportunity to see friends and fellow union members across the region,” stated TACEA President Amelia Bochorno. PSEAS is one, if not the strongest regional public sector union in the country. It promotes unionism as a proactive and empowering mechanism to lobby employees’ rights. To know more about TACEA and its programs, visit www.facebook.com/taceaofficial
TACEA Dance Crew performs an Army-themed dance routine that landed them on the 3rd spot in the Variety Show Contest.
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TACEAns John Lechonsito and Michelle Gepes don LGU-Tacurong office uniforms during the Lakan and Hiyas ng PSEAS.
TACEA reaches out to LGU workers A total of 108 LGU employees and their children received Noche Buena packages and new bags with school supplies from Tacurong City Employees Association (TACEA) on 21 December 2015 at the City Cultural and Sports Center. Children and adults were also treated with a magic show, parlor games, and snacks. The gift-giving activity was made possible through the contributions of all employees and officials who are members of TACEA. According to TACEA President Amelia Bochorno, the association had been giving gifts to indigent communities in the past during Christmas season. This year, they decided to reach out to fellow employees, especially those with job order status. by Jezereel Louise Billano-Fabreag
An employee and his son receive Noche Buena pack and new school bag from TACEA officers during the association’s annual gift-giving activity.
In photos: Some activities/projects facilitated by PESO: livelihood programs, jobs fair, SPES, and career guidance counselling.
The public employment service office (PESO) of the Local Government Unit of Tacurong City got the rare feat of winning the regional Best PESO Award three years in a row after being declared as top regional performer for 2015 under the component city category. Director Ofelia Domingo of the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office XII conferred the award during the 2015 PESO Year-End Performance Assessment at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City on December 3-5, 2015. Allan Freno, the LGU’s Peso Manager, received the award in behalf of Mayor Lina Montilla. The LGU PESO was also the region’s top performer in 2013 and 2014. DOLE XII measured the performance of the PESOs based on their outputs in core programs such as referral and placement, provision of labor market information, career coaching, and facilitation of livelihood projects to informal sector. Nominees were also evaluated based on how they perform in other programs like SPES implementation, conduct of job fairs, OFW reintegration program, anti-child labor advocacy, and anti-illegal recruitment campaign among others. Aside from being declared as the best-performing PESO, Tacurong was also awarded as best implementer of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP). Freno said that the success of the PESO programs in Tacurong was made possible through the all-out support of Mayor Montilla and other The Department of Labor and Employment officials of the city. He also credited his staff at the Information and awarded a citation to the Tacurong City Public Employment Labor & Employmet Section for efficiently carrying out their tasks. Service Office (PESO) during the 15th National PESO Meanwhile, PESOs of other LGUs in Sultan Kudarat also topped Congress held at PICC in Pasay City, 26 October 2015. their respective categories in the PESO Awards Night. The The citation came after Tacurong City PESO’s Provincial Government PESO won the Best-Performing PESO nomination for the 2014 National Best PESO AwardAward in provincial category; LGU Lambayong PESO won in the Component City/Independent Component City Category. 2nd class municipality Tacurong City PESO had been recognized as Top Regional category; and LGU Senator Ninoy Aquino PESO topped Performer from 2013 to 2014. the 3rd class municipality category. Tacurong City PESO was cited through Local Chief Executive Honorable Lina O. Montilla and PESO Manager Allan S. Freno. The citation was conferred by DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. October-December 2015 17
PESO Tacurong receives national citation
by Allan S. Freno
Undersecretary Austere Panadero of the Department of the Interior and Local Government cited the City of Tacurong as one of the best implementers of PCF projects in the country during the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) Breakthrough Summit on 3 December 2015 in Quezon City, . Mayor Lina O. Montilla, together with three other local chief executives, served as resource speaker and panelist in the said summit participated by more than 100 mayors from all over the country. Other presenters included Governor Edward Adolf Plaza Plaza of Agusan del Sur, Mayor Concepcion Zarate of Pura, Tarlac and Mayor Juan Sanchez of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. According to Panadero, the panelists are leaders who demonstrated a track record in promoting good governance through performance management and incentive system. Tacurong City received P3 Million PCF incentive in 2011 for its bronze Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH),
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another P3 Million for silver SGH in 2012, and P2 Million for the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award received by the LGU in the same year. The PCF, plus an LGU counterpart fund, was used for the concreting of farm-to-market roads in Barangays Upper Katungal, Tina, and Griño. According to Montilla, paved roads mean easy access to health facilities especially for pregnant mothers. To add, transportaion of farm produce and other economic activities became more efficient not only of the recipient barangays but also of neighboring communities. “This summit is a good time to reflect on the LGUs’ shared experiences on PCF impementation; to learn from one another and inspire each other as we continue to move forward on our quest for good governance and meaningful change in our communities”, Panadero said. The summit, organized by the Bureau of Local Government Development, was conducted in collaboration with Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), AusAID, Asian Development Bank, and Institute for Climate & Sustainable Cities.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Tacurong was adjudged as Most Outstanding Sanggunian in the Regional Local Legislative Awards (LLA) - Component City Category. This is the third time that the Tacurong legislative body won the said award. The first time was in 2007-2010, and the second one was in 2010-2013. The latest feat covered the performance of SP-Tacurong from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015. When asked for the secret behind these consecutive wins, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, the presiding officer of the 6th Sanggunian said: For the last three terms, the prime asset of this Sanggunian is unity—among each other and with the executive arm led by the Mayor. We support each other’s advocacies; we work towards one direction. The Sangguniang Panlungsod of the Local Government Unit of Tacurong was evaluated by the Regional Awards Committee (RAC) of the LLA on November 3, 2015 for a field validation. The RAC were composed of officers from the different regional government agencies including the DILG, DSWD, DENR, and DBM; the private sector also had a representation through the South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
SP approves ordinance setting
safekeepinghoursforminors
T
by Den Perry D. Decretales
he 6th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved the Ordinance for the Safekeeping Hours for Minors or the Resolution-Ordinance No. 210-18, series of 2015 on its 44th Regular Session conducted on November 18, 2015. The said ordinance establishes safekeeping hours or curfew for minors from TEN O’ CLOCK (10:00) in the evening to FOUR O’ CLOCK (4:00) in the morning of the following day. Children 8 years old and below must be indoors or at their homes at 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM. During safekeeping hours, minors are are prohibited from entering, staying or loitering in any public places such as park, plaza, road side, roundball and its premises, carnival, sport events and the likes; or in any establishments such as bars, clubs, motels, billiard halls, video- k bars, internet cafes and other similar establishments within the City of Tacurong. Owner, operator, or any employee of an establishment who fails to notify the PNP, Barangay Council for Protection of
The committee evaluated the sanggunian in the following criteria: effectiveness of the legislative agenda, availability of legislative documents, efficiency of performance of the sanggunian, quality of office set-up and staff complement, legislative citations and awards, and capacity development for legislators and staff. “Being acknowledged or recognized is good. Yet, for us in the Office of the Sangguninang Panlungsod, we are always striving hard to fulfill our official duties and responsibilities not just for the sake of recognition, but more importantly, that the public, especially our constituents, actually receive the goods and services that they need and other benefits that they deserve.” The Local Legislative Award was launched by the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) in partnership with the DILG in 2006. It recognizes the exemplary performance of the sanggunians, particularly of cities and municipalities, for legislating measures that help build the foundation of meaningful local administration and development. by YMTRobles & JLBillano-Fabreag
Children (BCPC) /Barangay Officials/Barangay Tanods/CVOs, and other law enforcement, that a minor is present in the premises of their establishment during safekeeping hours will be held liable under this Ordinance. Minors shall only be exempted to loiter/roam during safekeeping hours when accompanied by parent/guardian; when attending scholastic activities like commencement exercises and/or religious, social and civic activities like mass, fiesta and sports activities provided that he/she is not under the influence of liquor; and when responding to emergency situations. Parents, guardians or any adult person having the care and custody of the minor found to be violating this Ordinance, will be fined and penalized as follows: Counseling by the Social Worker In-charge/or CICWC-CSWDO to the parent or guardian of the minor for first offense; and an Administrative Fine of P500.00 or community service for four (4) hours for second and succeeding offenses. Owners/Operators or any employee of the establishment will be warned for first offense and will be administratively fined with P500.00 and P1,000.00 for second and third/succeeding offenses, respectively. Ordinance No. 18 was authored by Hon. Psyche M. Sucaldito, Chairperson, SP Committee on Gender and Development. This ordinance annuls an earlier regulation which prohibits minors below 18 years old to loiter or roam around after 10:00 o’clock p.m. up to 4:00 o’clock dawn within the territorial limits of Barangay Poblacion. October-December 2015 19
Before hundreds of locals, community leaders, and LGU stakeholders, Mayor Lina O. Montilla of Tacurong delivered the State of the City Address (SOCA) on 16 December 2015 during the 48th Regular Session of the 6th Sangguniang Panlungsod held at the City Cultural and Sports Center. The most applauded parts of the SOCA were Montilla’s sharing of the city’s awards and recognitions on good governance, LGU’s financial support on K-12, and multimillion livelihood and skills training programs through Bottom-UP Budgeting (BUB) and local funds. When asked for the most notable accomplishment presented in the SOCA, May Ann Agaruan of Sangray SEA-K organization answered: ang livelihood assistance projects kay nakabulig guid sang daku nga maenhance ang amon pagpangabuhi labi na para sa amon nga mga kababaihan. Mr. Romeo Purol of the Centerpoint College who also witnessed SOCA expressed his admiration to the efforts of the LGU: “dahil sa skills training, ang tricycle drivers hindi na basta driver lang kundi mekaniko na rin”. After the SOCA, Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito expressed the Sanggunian’s continued support to the city’s vision and mission on sustainable development. Both mayor and vice mayor emphasized the importance of teamwork and accountability as the core of excellent public service. by Jezereel Louise Billano-Fabreag
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October-December 2015
“The Daang Matuwid is difficult. That’s why the government makes it a point to recognize hard work.” – Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad Among all the LGUs in the country, the City of Tacurong has been lauded for its prompt, efficient, and transparent implementation of more than 50% of its BUB projects slated for 2015. There are only two LGUs in the country awarded with the P5-Million incentive this year, the other one being Ilagan City of Isabela. Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, together with Regional Director Akmad J. Usman of DBM Region XII, and Asec. Maxine Tanya M. Hamada of DBM Monitoring and Evaluation, personally turned over the P5 million check to
Mayor Lina O. Montilla on 17 December 2015 at Palm Bistro, Tacurong City. Vice Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the different barangay captains of the city, and the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team stood as witnesses during the turnover ceremony. In her acceptance speech, City Mayor Lina O. Montilla expressed her gratitude to the DBM and the national government for continually recognizing the city’s efforts in ensuring good public service to the constituents by way of awards and incentives. The mayor said that it serves as the city’s motivation to keep on working hard for the benefit of all Tacurongnons. by Yentl Mae T. Robles