RDC XII-initiated DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City opens to the public

By: Jal P. Octavio, NEDA XII

Kidapawan City – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office Kidapawan City, a project spearheaded by the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII, has finally opened its doors to serve the public on September 5, 2022.

The ceremony was graced by DFA Undersecretary Jesus S. Domingo, Assistant Secretary Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. (Office of Consular Affairs), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos (Acting Chairperson of RDC XII), Cotabato Provincial Board Members Ivy C. Dalumpines-Ballitoc (representing Gov. Emmylou J. Taliño-Mendoza) and Joseph A. Evangelista (former mayor of Kidapawan City), Officials of the City Government of Kidapawan headed by Mayor Jose Paolo M. Evangelista and Vice Mayor Melvin E. Lamata, Jr., Mr. Reynaldo G. Pagal (representative of Cotabato 2nd District Congressman Rudy S. Caoagdan), Mr. Ronan Eugene C. Garcia (former chairperson of RDC XII’s Macro-Economy, Development Administration, and Finance Committee), and Ms. Nadjefah B. AgcampongMangondaya (Head of DFA Consular Office Kidapawan City). In his opening statement, Board Member Evangelista said that he even thought that the dream of having a DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City would have been a nightmare had his administration as city mayor and other government agencies and officials not collaborated and worked hand-in-hand together and made the said initiative happen. Mayor Evangelista, on the other hand, thanked all the men and women behind the success of this project, most especially those people who worked behind the scenes.

NEDA XII Regional Director and Acting RDC XII Chairperson Ramos, in her message, recalled the initiatives undertaken by various national, regional, and local government officials and government bodies that became catalysts for the successful establishment and operationalization of the DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City. Some of these were the inclusion in the agenda of the 53rd Cabinet Assistance System Meeting with the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, the resolutions passed and adopted by RDC XII, the Joint Regional Task ForceELCAC XII, Cotabato Provincial Development Council, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigans of the provinces of Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, respectively. She also congratulated DFA, the City Government of Kidapawan, and all the people who worked tirelessly behind the success of this project. On the other hand, Board Member Dalumpines-Ballitoc expressed the wholehearted support of the Provincial Government of Cotabato to the said project. She also revealed that the Provincial Government has already included in its FY 2023 Annual Investment Program the fencing of the DFA Consular Office Kidapawan City Building premises. Meanwhile, the Office of Rep. Rudy S. Caoagdan, likewise, extended its congratulations to the City Government, the DFA, and to the people of the Province of Cotabato for this milestone that will benefit not only Cotabateños but also the people from the adjacent areas.

After the turn-over, blessing, and inauguration rites, the DFA Consular Office immediately had its first thirty clients served with Mayor Evangelista as its first. DFA Consular Office Kidapawan City is the 8th consular office in Mindanao, the largest DFA Consular Office outside Metro Manila, and capable of serving more than 5,000 clients in a month. It is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM starting September 6, 2022.

LTFRB intensifies the PUVMP in SOCCSKSARGEN

By: LTFRB XII

Koronadal City, South Cotabato – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office XII (LTFRB-RFRO XII) remains committed to implementing the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in the region. This is done by encouraging the transport sector to embrace modernization to be able to promote adequate, safe, reliable, efficient and environmentfriendly public utility vehicles. The LTFRB also coordinates with Local Government Units in the crafting of their Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) - a decentralized approach to provide adequate, effective, and for better, faster that will provide access and mobility of people and goods.

Regional Director Paterno Reynato C. Padua of LTFRBRFRO XII recently awarded Notices of Selection (NOS) to four transport service cooperatives in the Region that are qualified to operate new and developmental routes under the LPTRPs of Koronadal City, South Cotabato, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, and General Santos City. Under the Koronadal City LPTRP, NOS were awarded to the Metro Fleet Transport and Logistics Corporation for the San Isidro – Downtown Loop, to the United Transport Operators and Drivers Cooperative for Saravia – Public Market route, and to the Blue Diamond Transport Cooperative for the San Jose – Public Market route. Under the Lake Sebu LPTRP, the Poblacion – Ned route was awarded to the Lake Sebu Transport Cooperative. And under the General Santos City LPTRP, the Public Market – Katangawan route was awarded to Metro Gensan Transport Cooperative.

The LTFRB, together with 15 transport service entities, namely, Lagao Drivers Operators and Transport Cooperative (LADOTRANSCO), Metro Gensan Transport Cooperative (MGTC), Apopong Lagao Jeepney Operators and Drivers Transport Service Cooperatives (ALJODTSCO), Modelong Tricycle Drivers in Gensan Transport Cooperative, Rajah Buayan Transport Cooperative (RBTC), Tambler Jeepney Operator and Drivers Transport Cooperative (TAJODSTCO), JAGS Drivers and Operators Multipurpose Cooperative, Glan Operators-Drivers Transportation Service Cooperative (GODTRANSCO), President Roxas Transport Cooperative (PRT), MalungonGensan Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative (MALGENTRANSCO), Malandag Transport Cooperative (MALTRANSCO), Makilala Transport Cooperative (MATRANSCO), FVR Malagat Tambler Transport Cooperative (FVRMTTC), Malapatan Drivers-Operators Transport Cooperative (MDOTC) and Lambayong-Tacurong

Modernized PUVs acquired by LADOTRANSCO

Transport Service Cooperative (LATTRASCO), launched a total of 198 modernized units that were already providing quality transport services in the region. More modernized units are expected to be acquired with government assistance under the PUVMP. Among the 198 modernized units, 84 are electric jeeps which are proven to be least affected by rising fossil fuel costs.

Transport operators or drivers affected or displaced by the modernization program can avail of the stakeholder support mechanism under the ”Tsuper Iskolar” program in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). A total of 629 beneficiaries can avail of assistance in the form of free skills training. On the other hand, under the “Entsupreneur Program”, qualified stakeholders can avail of financial assistance to support entrepreneurial ventures. The Office of Transportation Cooperatives Regional Desk Office XII (OTC RDO XII) of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) identified 735 potential beneficiaries for the Program in Region XII.