Tagumpay Frontier Volume IX No. 2 by City Information Office

Frontier Tagumpay

VOLUME NO. IX NO. 2 APRIL-DECEMBER 2015

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM

Harvest Season THE AWE-INSPIRING, SUCCESSFUL AND COLORFUL YEAR T H AT I S 2 0 1 5

VOLUME IX NO. 2

contents APRIL-DECEMBER 2015

SECTIONS

THE BUREAU

IMPROVING HEALTH CARE ACROSS ALL basic health system indicators, the City Government of Tagum made a significant headway in ensuring an all-inclusive, non-discriminatory health services delivery for Tagumenyos, as shown in the roadmap developed by the Department of Health, the Zuellig Family Foundation and the Davao Medical School Foundation.

GALING POOK THE EFFORTS exerted by the dedicated men and women of the Balik Sigla Program under the City Health Office were paid off when the Manila-based Galing Pook Foundation shortlisted the program to be evaluated for its 2015 Galing Pook Award.

#HASHTAGUM

WINNING STREAK

2015 is considered a banner year for the City Government of Tagum as it hauled major awards from arious national and regional award giving-bodies—a proof of the brand of excellence in local governance espoused by the rellon administration. here, we compile these awards and tell why these matter to every Tagumenyo.

COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM takes pride for being the only local government unit in Region XI to have revised its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, vital document that will guide the city in achieving an equitable and balanced development.

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE

With EDUCATION as the number one priority under the EAGLE WINGS Program, the City Government of Tagum continues to plant seeds for the future for the benefit of the city’s greatest asset: the Tagumenyo people.

TAGUM AIRPORT IN THE OFFING 42

TAGUMPAY EXTRA

SUCCESSFUL HOSTING A NATIONAL JAMBOREE rich in lessons will be forever etched in the hearts of more than 21, 126 Scouts and Scouters from different parts of the Philippines—lessons they are bringing home as they label the 16th National Scout Jamboree held last October 24-31, 2015 as “the best ever” in the history of Scouting in the Philippines.

NEW CITY LANDMARKS THE NEWEST LANDMARKS in the City of Tagum offer distinct symbolisms that point to the city’s rich history, as well as a fitting reminder to Tagumenyos about its role in caring for the environment. Commissioned by the City Government of Tagum, renowned Mindanaoan artist Kublai Milan once again shares his obra maestra which definitely adds to the array of must-see places in Tagum.

GIANT LEAP THE YOUNG ATHLETES of the City of Tagum showed their mettle in sports as they emerged victorious by clinching a total number of 61 medals in the recently concluded 2015 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying Leg held last October 23-29, 2015 at Koronadal, South Cotabato.

THE COVER features the Bangka landmark of Tagum, which shows a family harvesting fishes. In one way or the other, this somewhat reflects the year 2015 for Tagum City—a harvest season that benefited every Tagumenyo from all walks of life, as highlighted by the major awards the LGU received this year. Photo by LEUNIELON TIMOGAN

A City of People

executive take Straight from the Mayor’s Desk

Gains of Hardwork and Perseverance My fellow Tagumenyos, Greetings of Tagum, Tagumpay! 2015 is undeniably a year that surprised us. Looking back at what we had achieved together last year, I take pride in noting that indeed, our hardwork and perseverance paid off. Taking into consideration how far we have come, we have every reason to be bullish on the years to come—bringing the same values that brought us to where we are today. When this administration kicked off under the leadership of your humble servant, our battlecry was simple: positive change for Tagum City’s continuous development. Today, we are already harvesting the fruits of our collective labor. Along the way, we managed to turn the setbacks and road blocks as our springboard to bounce back better. Your local government has been truly sensitive to people’s sentiments and needs, fully aware that we exist to serve your interests, and not our own. This truly paved the way for us to make Tagum a City of People. Perhaps the greatest validation of our commitment to this are the numerous awards 4

we harvested this year. We take pride on this because this validates the pro-people programs and initiatives that we are implementing. In the end, we see these awards not just a recognition for the local government but also to every Tagumenyo who, in one way or the other, took part in creating our Collective Tagumpay. In 2015, our city was recognized as the 8th Most Competitive Component City in the Philippines out of the 145 cities nationwide. This means we are regarded as one of the top-performing cities in the country, especially so that we also ranked 3rd in the economic dynamism category. This, along with many other awards we raked this year, is a manifestation of the continuing brand of good governance this administration is espousing. None of this would have been possible without the cooperation of everybody, and I cannot thank you enough for the warm support you have given us for the past years. Your vote of confidence on us served as an inspiration us to do better, create innovations and aspire for excellence in local governance. This 2016, we turn another leaf in our city’s

history as we celebrate 18 years of citihood. Since 1998, it’s amazing how far we have come as city. The upcoming celebration of the 18th Araw ng Tagum should remind us of this fact and compel us to converge for the remaining tasks that lie ahead. May this issue of Tagumpay Frontier ignite a sense of pride in you. May you, like us in the local government, realize it’s the most wonderful time to be a Tagumenyo. I encourage you to share this magazine to everyone you know. By doing this, you are sharing the good news—a news that all of us made, regardless of your status in life. On a personal note, I am humbled to lead you in this colorful chapter of our city’s story. May we continue to work together to further improve our Kwento ng Tagumpay.

Allan L. Rellon, dpa, ph.d City Mayor of Tagum

April-December 2015

the bureau NEWS + UPDATES

TO KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP

Focus on Farmers

Laying the Foundations

Health Roadmap showing gains

Grassroots Governance

The 3rd installment of the highlyanticipated UGMAD Festival once again put the spotlight to the well-loved Tagumenyo farmers, who are widely considered by the local government unit as partners in attaining food security for Tagumenyos.

Back-to-back fora organized by the local government unit give a detailed blueprint towards attaining peace and development in the city. These fora on peace and investment provide a steering wheel towards achieving the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals as enshrined in the EAGLE WINGS Program.

Since 2013, the Department of Health and Zuellig Family Foundation have noted an impressive track record when it comes to the local government unitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in improving its health services. While majority of indicators are good, the DOH notes there still a lot that needs to be done.

Barangay governments are considered to be the backbone of local governance, as they are immersed in the grassroots. In an effort to recognize their efforts, outstanding barangays were awarded in the Barangay Excellence Awards sanctioned by the LGU and DILG.

MORE ON PAGE 7

FLIP PAGE TO KNOW

WINNERS ON PAGE 8

focus sheet

HEALTH ADVOCATES Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon (center) and City Health Officer Dr.Arnel Florendo (second from right) happilyreceive the recognition for Tagum’s improved delivery of health services during the concluding ceremony of the Municipal Leadership Governance last August 26, 2015.

The LGU acknowledged the factors below that needs its attention and focus

healthcare improving

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

ACROSS ALL basic health system indicators, the City Government of Tagum made a significant headway in ensuring an all-inclusive, non-discriminatory health services delivery for Tagumenyos, as shown in the roadmap developed by the Department of Health, the Zuellig Family Foundation and the Davao Medical School Foundation.

This was presented during the colloquium held recently where Mayor Allan L. Rellon and City Health Officer Dr. Arnel Florendo highlighted the significant gains of the local government in realizing the promise of health care agenda as enshrined in the EAGLE WINGS Program of the current administration. “We have been outstanding in terms of leadership and governance, health financing, health human resource, access to medicine and technology, health information system and most importantly, health service delivery,” stressed Mayor Rellon at the conclusion of the one-year Municipal Leadership Governance Program which aims to compel local chief executives to set their focus on the gaps and opportunities challenging the health portfolio in their respective local government units. Arlene Gella, Vice President of Zuellig Family Foundation, specifically noted in her speech Tagum’s improved performance on maternal and child care since 2013 like zero maternal death, decreasing the number of infant death, 95.3% facility-based birth

CHILDREN IMMUNIZATION

MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS

delivery against the 90% national target and availability of skilled birth attendants at 95% against the 90% national target. The roadmap also showed mostly green remarks (denoting outstanding performance) for key areas like budget utilization, medicine tracking and inventory system, barangay health infrastructure and reproductive health. Rellon and Florendo are among the 12 Davao del Norte mayors and local health officers who completed the course that was mainly organized by the Zuellig Family Foundation in partnership with DOH and DMSF. The local chief executive noted however that the work is far from over, citing the red and yellow marks that denote weak spots of

the local government. This included reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy, achieving full immunization for children and full implementation of the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers. Tagum’s outstanding performance as well as for accomplishing the MLGP was rewarded by DOH XI with a performance incentive amounting to 200,000 pesos. TOPMOST Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon (center) and City Health Officer Dr. Arnel Florendo (second from right) happily receive the recognition from Arlene Gella, Vice President of Zuellig Family Foundation, DOH Regional Director Abdullah Dumama, Jr. and Dr. Jonathan Alegre, President of the Davao Medical School Foundation. COMPOSITE Daily scenes at the City Health Office along Mabini Street, Tagum City.

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS Back-to-back fora organized by the local government unit give a detailed blueprint towards attaining peace and development in the city. These fora on peace and investment provide a steering wheel towards achieving the city’s goals as enshrined in the EAGLE WINGS Program.

investment forum

THE INVESTORS in the City of Tagum were convened during the holding of the 2nd Tagum City Annual Investment Stakeholders Forum on March 30, 2015 at the Big 8 Corporate Hotel, Tagum City for the discussion of methods and avenues that may be had towards improving the competitiveness of the city’s investment climate. During the 2nd installment of the investment forum which was initiated by the City Government of Tagum, through the City Investment Promotion Office (CIPO), the forum speakers tackled the advantages and effects of being integrated in the ASEAN Economic Community which was presented by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Davao del Norte OIC Romeo L. Castañada while the challenges of the business sector in achieving competitiveness were delivered by Ms. Nenita R. Malbas, CPA, MBA, of the Tagum City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. Other guests speakers were also tapped to elucidate on various topics in relation to the accessibility of energy and water resources in the local government and its importance on a range of investment potentials that could be established in the city.their mobile vehicles patrolling the designated areas in the city are significantly decreased to 15 kph to 20 kph to enable the spotting of criminals and suspicious looking persons. He further stated that there has been a significant decrease in the criminal incidences of ransacking, snatching, robbery and shooting after last year’s holding of the first edition of the peace forum. Mr. Romeo Montenegro of Mindanao Development Authority and Ms. Elvie C. Merquita of the Global Green Corporation respectively presented to the group the different Investment Opportunities on Power, Energy and Electrification and the exploration of the Sustainable Energy Sources like the Waste to Energy Program.

Peace Forum THE ATTAINMENT of genuine peace and security in the City of Tagum is still a work in progress and it needs the concerted effort of all the stakeholders of the city to make it possible. This is what Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon stressed in his message before the people from different sectors who were gathered during the Enhanced Genuine Peace and Security Forum II held last July 30, 2015 at the Molave Hotel, Tagum City. Mayor Rellon said that there are still things that need to be done before genuine peace and security in the city is fully achieved, stating, “genuine peace and security is that wala na kining mga kriminalidad, mga butang nga makapahadlok or makapaluya nato, and sa pag-achieve nato niini, kitang tanan magtinabangay.” The rationale of the forum includes the presentation of the problems which hinder the growth and development of peace and security which the participants to last year’s peace forum were able to identify and the solutions propounded in relation to said problems, as well as the actualization or realization of the solutions that were suggested and considered. The forum is a venue for the stakeholders of the City of Tagum to realistically assess the peace situation in Tagum City by recognizing the problems that are continuously besetting the city and coming up with solutions that best address these problems. It is also through the forum where the resources required, the responsible units and success indicators are identified. On the other hand, newly installed Chief of Tagum City Police P/Supt. Lito E. Patay made a presentation of the accomplishments, gap analysis and strategies and innovations of their office, including their support to the Local Chief Executive in relation the their Patrol Plan 2013. P/Supt. Patay also presented, as one of the strategies and innovations of their office, the Patrol Plan wherein the speed of their mobile vehicles patrolling the designated areas in the city are significantly decreased to 15 kph to 20 kph to enable the spotting of criminals and suspicious looking persons. He further stated that there has been a significant decrease in the criminal incidences of ransacking, snatching, robbery and shooting after last year’s holding of the first edition of the peace forum.

Magdum Barangay Captain Ma. Teresa Reambonanza together with her Barangay Functionaries receives the token of recognition for her barangay, which was adjudged as 1st placer in the Barangay Excellence Awards (Urban Category). BELOW Liboganon Barangay Captain Edwin Ballesteros receives the same for winning in the Rural Category.

OUTSTANDING BARANGAYS RECOGNIZED USING THE Local Government Performance Management System, the city’s 23 barangays were evaluated independently based on their performance in governance along the areas of Administration, Social Services, Economic Development and Environmental Management. The performance evaluation saw Barangays La Filipina and San Agustin placing 2nd on the Urban and Rural Categories, respectively, while Magupo East and Canocotan earned enough points to secure the 3rd place of the competition’s respective Urban and Rural Categories. On the other hand, the 1st Place for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award- Urban Category was handed to Barangay La Filipina that will consequently represent Tagum in the regional edition of the competition. Other barangay winners of the aforesaid Incentive Awards were Barangay Magugpo

Poblacion and Barangay Pandapan who received the 2nd place for urban and rural categories, respectively, the urban category’s 3rd placers – Magugpo South and Magugpo West, as well as the rural category’s Barangay San Agustin. The cash prizes of P50,000.00 for the 1st placers, P30,000.00 for the 2nd place winners and P15,000.00 for the 3rd placers were also given out to all winning barangays. In the same occasion, insurance were also given to more than 400 barangay tanods in the city, as well as uniform vests courtesy of the City Government of Tagum.

TAGUMPAY BARANGAY EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE AWARDS 2015 Official Results URBAN CATEGORY 1st Place MAGDUM 2nd Place LA FILIPINA 3rd Place MAGUGPO EAST 4th Place MAGUGPO NORTH 5th Place MAGUGPO SOUTH

RURAL CATEGORY 1st Place LIBOGANON 2nd Place SAN AGUSTIN 3rd Place CANOCOTAN 4th Place NUEVA FUERZA 5th Place BUSAON

Balik Sigla Program is Galing Pook finalist

THE EFFORTS exerted by the dedicated men and women of the Balik Sigla Program under the City Health Office were paid off when the Manila-based Galing Pook Foundation shortlisted the program to be evaluated for its 2015 Galing Pook Award. Galing Pook Foundation National Selection Committee Member and Land Bank of the Philippines Executive Director Dr. Victor Gerardo J. Bulatao was in the city on June 25-26, 2015 to conduct an on-site validation wherein the City Government of Tagum, jointly headed by Mayor Allan L. Rellon and City Health Officer Arnel R. Florendo, MD, defended the aforementioned health services program when the said member of the National Selection Committee propounded questions pertaining to the implementation as well as to the direct impact of the Balik-Sigla Program to its various beneficiaries. The Balik-Sigla Program which was among the 38 local governance programs chosen from over 200 entries submitted by other local government units in the country, involves the Expansive Therapeutic Rehabilitation Services offered and provided by the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical therapy aides, massage therapists and other health care providers to patients suffering from stroke due to Cerebral Vascular Accident and other diseases that cause paralysis. Mr. Carlito Casocot, a married hairdresser and salon owner, and Ms. Elnora Muyot, a public school teacher, two of the thousand beneficiaries of the 8- year old program who have since achieved full recovery from the incapacitating illness, were also present during the validation to give their respective testimonies to the program. 9

transfer

mode

New City Hall set to be completed in time for 18th Araw ng Tagum THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM is slated to complete the New City Hall of Tagum in March 7, 2016 in time for the highly-anticipated 18th Araw ng Tagum City, marking another chapter in the colorful history of the city. Mayor Allan L. Rellon stated in his message that everyone, from members of the Technical Working Group, the Project Management Board and all the City Officials who are involved in the legislation and policy aspect of the project, is serious in making sure that the New City Hall will be completed. The project will be undertaken by administration, since previous biddings conducted by the local government failed. It can be recalled that the initial plan of the Rellon Administration is to finish what it coined as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the

mother of all infrastructure projects of Tagumâ&#x20AC;? through a turn-key scheme, where the winning firm will finance the project within the agreed timeframe and budget, and shall only be paid after the official turnover and acceptance by the local government. A total budget of 158 million pesos was allocated to finish the construction, 90 million pesos of which will be used for the first and second floors of the seven year old-project starting on the second week of June 2015. This period will be the first phase of the construction

according to the project management board. The scope of work involved in the Phase 1 of the resumption of construction work include roofing, tile works, the mezzanine, drywall partitions, glass works, railings, mechanical work and electrification while the manpower that necessitates filling include that of site engineers, masons, welders, carpenters and laborer. Notably, the second phase of the construction, which entails the final completion of the 3rd and 4th floors, will commence after the preparation of the necessary bidding documents on the procurement of materials for the last two floors of the building. The budget is sourced from the stillunutilized loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines by the local government for the same purpose, which was not immediately used pending the audit investigation of the Commission on Audit.

P R O J E C T S F U N D E D BY VA R I O U S N AT I O N A L L I N E A G E N C I E S

Outsourced projects reach more than 1 billion pesos Tagum’s agri sector gets lion’s share DUE TO THE PERSISTENCE of the City Government of Tagum to avail of the various funding programs of countless national government agencies, outsourced and pipelined projects secured by the local government now amounts to a staggering amount of Php 1, 024, 181, 922.00—a number that have benefited different sectors in the city. Of this amount, the agriculture seemed to benefit the most by getting the lion’s share in a form of farm-to-market roads, livestock dispersal, mechanization and livelihood programs, among others. Funding national agencies that poured their budgets to the City of Tagum since 2013 include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Meat Inspection System, Department of Education, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Department of the Interior and Local Government,

National Electrification Authority and Department of Agrarian Reform. Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon said this is the result of the determination of the local government through the initiatives of respective departments to avail of these programs and projects so as to utilize the locally-sourced budget of the LGU to other projects, thereby benefiting more Tagumenyo. To avail of these outsourced projects, the local government submitted project proposals which are subject to the perusal of the funding agency. Acting City Planning and Development Officer Arturo B. Manigo, Jr. said some of the projects funded through outsourcing are still on-going, while the rest were already completed. Among the projects poured to Tagum through outsourcing is the construction of farm-to-market roads, multi-specie hatchery, Double A Slaughterhouse, school buildings, street lightings, drainage projects, agri-fishery recreational complex, tourism roads andprovision of farm tractors and mechanical dryer with implements. 25 puroks in the city now have electricity through the Sitio Electrification Program funded through outsourcing. Livelihood programs were also funded through outsourcing like dispersal of carabao, hogs, chicken and goats. Several civil society organizations also benefited in their various livelihood projects through the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process or most commonly known as the Bottom-up Budgeting Process. Mayor Rellon assured that the local government will continue to reach out to funding agencies for the benefit of the city and its people. 11

3 QUARTERS OF MERRY-MAKING GAY SUMMIT July 2015 FROM A PERIOD OF MAY TO DECEMBER, Tagumenyos were treated to a wide array of festivals and events that highlighted the ingenuity and love for fun of the locals here. The events, which are mainly organized by the City Tourism Office, are also rich in symbolisms that range from Tagumenya beauty and to welcome the year 2016 with hope and enthusiasm. 12

A rainbow, the symbol of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community around the world highlights the main streets of the city during the opening parade of Tagum City Gay Summit 2015 as showing of reflection of diversity and gender equality among Tagumenyos. Series of activities were done during the 3-day celebration such as HIV/STI/AIDS Awareness Symposium, Freedom Parade, Laugh Out Loud-Stand up comedy Competition, Styling & Instant Make-over Challenge, Sports and Gayness-Volleyball and Basketball, Fun and Gayness-Gay Henyo and The Singing Gay and Liberty Pool Party.

UGMAD FESTIVAL September 2015

MUTYA NG TAGUM CITY November 2015

“This is a way in which we honor our farmers and a way of giving importance to the different agricultural products of our city,” Mayor Allan Rellon said during the festival’s opening ceremony last September 4, 2015 at the Rotary Park. Highlighting the festival opening was the Carroza y Pintados de Carabao, where different painted Carabaos and their Carroza full of fruits and other farm products were paraded in the city’s major thoroughfares.

Ms. Jane Irish Mae Duque from Barangay Magugpo North, a stunningly beautiful 21-year old bested 9 other candidates during the Grand Coronation Night of the Mutya ng Tagum 2015 held at the RDR Gymnasium on Thursday night November 19, 2015. Duque captured the hearts of the audience and the judges because of her beauty and intelligence she exuded throughout the pageant night.

LIGHTING OF THE GIANT HOLIDAY TREE November 2015

FIREWORKS DISPLAY December 2015

Officially kicking off the festive holiday season, Tagumenyos flocked to the city’s Freedom Park to witness the ceremonial lighting of the Giant Holiday Tree last November 16, 2015, maintaining its reputation as one of the highly-anticipated events here. Decorative abstract frames of doves, angels, stars, flowers, snowflakes and birds also adorned the holiday tree, all lit up with 1,450 sets of rice bulbs and 3,786 sets of LED flexy lights. Towering in 105 feet, this year’s Giant Holiday Tree carried a message of love as 16 ring stars atop the holiday tree symbolize the meaning of love as defined in the New Testament, specifically 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Greeting the New Year full of enthusiasm and hope, Tagumenyos flocked to the New City Hall Arena to witness the annual fireworks display sponsored by the City Government of Tagum. Mayor Allan L. Rellon led an estimated 5,000 Tagumenyos who flocked to the grounds of the iconic City Hall of Tagum during the 15-minutes fireworks display. Aside from Tagumenyos, among those who also joined the revelries during the fireworks display were residents from Compostela Valley, Davao City and even as far as Province of Agusan. 13

KAIMUNAN FESTIVAL October 2015 The rich culture and tradition of this city’s indigenous peoples took the spotlight as the 13th year of the Kaimunan Festival. Mayor Allan Rellon heralded the thrust of his administration towards safeguarding the richness of the tradition of the city’s indigenous people, thus highlighting them in the four-day Kaimunan festivities. Joining the local chief executive in the grand kick-off of the festival were Vice Mayor Geterito T. Gementiza, Councilor Macario Bermudez II and the indigenous peoples of the city. In his speech, Mayor Rellon reiterated his administration’s commitment towards the preservation and protection of the IP’s diverse culture and tradition, where he particularly mentioned the plan of putting up of a tribal village in the city. The Kaimunan Festival is a cultural event where different tribal songs, dances, crafts, music and rituals are performed in thanksgiving to God and gathers all tribes to celebrate culture, tradition and identity.

PAKARADJAN FESTIVAL October 2015 The peaceful co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslim communities here was affirmed in the successful five-day run of this year’s Pakaradjan Festival that highlighted the rich and colorful tapestry of Muslim culture and tradition. The Pakaradjan Festival gathered the five dominant Muslim Tribes in Tagum that consist of the K’gans, Maranaos, Maguindanaons, Iranons and Tausogs. On its 9th installment, this city’s Pakaradjan Festival continues to highlight the rich culture and tradition of the Muslim Community as the search for Sigay ng Pakaradjan 2015 was held at Tagum City’s Pavilion and Cultural Center.

AFTER MORE THAN TWO DECADES

Gabayan residents finally get land titles It was indeed a Merry Christmas for residents of Purok Gabayan I and II as the City Government of Tagum officially turned over their long-time dream of acquiring land ownership with the awarding of original certificates of land titlesÂâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ending more than two decades of roller-coaster ride of fighting for a well-deserved land ownership.

ACTING UPON the decision of giving the preferential right by a Cagayan de Oro-based Court of Appeals to the City Government of Tagum, the local government here led by Mayor Allan L. Rellon finally awarded more than 100 original certificates of land title to residents of Purok Gabayan 1 and 2, which residents say is a culmination of their struggle to acquire ownership on the disputed land for more than two decades now. A total of 395 land titles are due to be awarded by the local government by the first quarter of 2016, with the first batch of awardees receiving their land documents last December 23, 2015 at Mangga Elementary School Gymnasium. Mayor Rellon said the local government is trying its best to award the remaining documents as early as January 2016. Residents of the then-disputed land located in Barangay Visayan Village considered this as a best Christmas gift, who have spent years of negotiations and court battles in acquiring this residential property. Mayor Rellon, acting as chairperson of the Local Housing Board, said the local government decided to award the said document after careful deliberation of the board. Present occupants of the land were given a priority for the awarding. Respective families spent not more than 2,500 pesos for the processing of their land titles at the Register of Deeds and other documents to be secured in the Regional Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office, with the assistance from the Technical Working Group of the Local Housing Board. Efren Casucot, the president of the Gabayan Homeowners Association, expressed his gratitude to the City Government and the Local Housing Board for making their long-time dream a reality. Mayor Rellon said the local government will still continue to prioritize housing needs and concerns under his EAGLE WINGS Program, noting that shelter is one of the basic and important needs of the people. 15

SHELTER PROGRAM FOR TAGUM’S LUMADS 28 FAMILIES who are members of the city’s Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples were recently made the beneficiaries of the Shelter Assistance Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the City Government of Tagum. Implemented through the city’s Social Welfare and Development Office under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process, the program is jointly carried out by the DSWD and the local government to provide homes to the 28 families of Indigenous Peoples whose houses were destroyed, either partially or totally, during the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo in 2012. The joint undertaking, which is pegged at 2.6 million pesos, with the City of Tagum pledging the amount of 400,000 pesos as its counterpart, is in accordance with the policy of the State to provide shelter to the families/ victims whose houses are destroyed by natural or man-made disasters and calamities, and is in line with the City Government’s developmental thrust on Social Services. Each IP family/beneficiary of the program is estimated to complete the 70,000- worth shelter unit within ten days after the implementation of the project and will also be paid the amount of P22,600.00 in exchange for their services or involvement during an 8-hour, 10-day construction work on the aforementioned shelter unit. 16

The beneficiaries who are all members of the Mansaka tribe from the city’s 4 floodprone barangays of Pagsabangan, Mankilam, San Miguel and Canocotan were identified and selected by the Datus and Bias of their respective barangays. The program was implemented during a ground breaking ceremony on May 28, 2015 at the city’s resettlement area at RTU Village, Purok 2, Apokon, Tagum City and was participated in

by Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon, DPA, PhD., Hon. Macario Bermudez, Hon. Allan Zulueta, Hon. Francisco Remitar, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Damiano Cipro, City ENRO Engr. Elias Ragos, City Engineer Roosevelt Corporal, Local Housing Board’s Engr. Bernardo Castor, Acting City PDO Arturo Manigo, Acting City GSO Roger Dompol, CSWDO Nora C. Lupiba, RSW, and Brgy. Apokon Captain Bryan Kim Samuel Angoy.

LGU penpushers hone writing skills Fifty (50) of Tagum City Government’s pool of employees who were identified as having writing skills recently gathered as a means of answering the call to overhaul the city’s Official Magazine. The call which was made by Hon. Allan L. Rellon, DPA, was partly premised on the fact that the representatives of the every department, division, or section have more in depth knowledge of the newsworthy programs and activities of their respective offices, thus they shall be the ones to present them to the reading public by becoming contributing writers to the official magazine. Additionally, the writing skills of each of these identified writers are expected to be fully utilized during the preparation of Annual Accomplishment Report of the office, and will also be tapped in the preparation of the Annual Report of the City Government of Tagum. The resource speakers for the 3-day Seminar-Workshop on News Writing, Creative Writing, Feature Writing and Basic Photography included three of Region 11’s notable personalities in relation to journalism: Sunstar Davao’s Lifestyle Columnist Jojie Alcantara, for Basic Photography and Feature Writing; Holy Cross College of Davao Professor Derf Maiz, for News Writing and Sunstar Davao Columnist, and Mr. Rene Lizada, for Creative Writing. The 3-day activity on April 13 to 15, 2015 held at Eden Nature Park in Davao City was conducted in partnership with the City Information Office, Tagum City Literacy Coordinating Council and the City Human Resource Management Office of the City of Tagum.

Multi-Specie hatchery to strengthen crab farming

THE BLESSING OF THE Multi-Specie Hatchery located in Barangay Liboganon is a testament to the City Government of Tagum’s commitment in advancing technology in the field of agriculture, with the end goal of flourishing crab farming in this coastal barangay. The multi-specie hatchery located in Barangay Liboganon was inaugurated by the local government led by Mayor Rellon, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and BFAR Regional Director Fatma Idris. The multi-species hatchery project, which has been tagged by local leaders as a “dream come true” after being finally realized after 10 years of intensive planning and lobbying, features an algal tank, larval tank, a reservoir, a power supply system and a nursery. BFAR XI poured 2.4 million pesos for the said project while the city government allocated some 650,000 pesos as its counterpart. City Agriculturist Harold S. Dawa said that among the impacts this project will bring is the

revival of the interest of the brackish fishpond owners to invest in intensive crab farming, in line with his department’s goal of making the city as a “crab capital” in this part of Mindanao. This will also increase the numbers of wild crabs along Tancuan Creek since every production season; the hatchery will release some of its products to the wild, thereby benefiting the fisher folks along the creek leading to the Davao Gulf. Prior to the inauguration of the said hatchery, the local government also unveiled its newest landmark along Daang Maharlika dubbed as “Bangka,” highlighting the latter’s role in advancing development in both fisheries and agriculture.

G U L AYA N S A PA A R A L A N AT PA M AYA N A N

Outstanding school, home ‘gulayans’ recognized by LGU 12 public schools in the City of Tagum won big in the recently concluded 2015 Gulayan sa Paaralan and Pamayanan Program Excellence Award held on September 24, 2015 at Big 8 CorporateHotel, Tagum City. In the second instalment of the search for the most outstanding vegetable garden in the city’s schools, the evaluators grouped the participating basic educational institutions into Field Category for Elementary School and High School, and Container Category for Elementary and High Schools. The winning elementary schools for the Field Category were Florentino Catalan Elementary School (1st Place), Col. Rosalio C. Saludares Elementary School (2nd Place) and San Agustin Elementary School (3rd Place), while those that won in the Container Category were Don Ricardo Briz Central Elementary School and Bincungan Elementary School (tied at 1st Place), Union Elementary School (2nd Place) and Pagsabangan Elementary School (3rd Place). On the other hand, the winners for High School were the Jose Tuazon Jr. Memorial High School (1st Place), Laureta National High School (2nd Place) and Pipisan Maug National High School (3r Place) for the Field Category, and Tagum City National Comprehensive High School (1st Place), Tagum City National High School (2nd Place) and La Filipina National High School (3rd Place) for the Container Category. Meanwhile, the Search for Best Gulayan sa Pamayanan also had its initial run this year, with the evaluators judging the participants on the categories of Kapurokan Backyard Category, Kapurokan Container Category, Pamamahay Backyard Category and Pamamahay Container Category. The 1st place winners of the Gulayan sa Pamayanan contest were Mario Buladaco of San Isidro for the Kapurokan Backyard Category, Martha Suan of Magugpo North for the Kapurokan Container Category, Remar Lo of Nueva Fuerza for the Pamamahay Backyard Category and Zenaida Buera of Magugpo North for the Pamamahay Container Category. All 24 winners of the Gulayan sa Paaralan and Pamayanan Program Excellence Award were adjudged and selected based on sustainability, garden quality, nutritional outcome, educational relevance and generation of community participation.

12 CSOs benefit in DOLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10M budget grant 12 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) in the local government unit of Tagum City were made the beneficiaries of a P10 million peso- grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under its Bottoms-Up Budgeting Process (now formally called the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process). In a turn-over ceremony on July 21, 2015 at the Freedom Park, Tagum City, the 12 organizations whose combined membership is totaled at 2,398 individuals, were awarded with Certificates of Entitlement for their respective livelihood projects and programs. These include Livelihood Assistance for Women, Fisher Folks, Fish Landing Laborers, Mangrove Growers, Muslims and Indigenous Peoples; Fruits and Vegetables Negokart Project; OFW Reintegration Project; Digital T-shirt Printing Project and Bigasan Project. DOLE Region XI Assistant Director Atty. Jason Balais rallied the beneficiaries who were gathered to exert enough effort to ensure the

strengthening of the livelihood programs and projects of the CSOs so that these would eventually generate new sets of employment, thereby helping the DOLE in the reduction of the unemployment rate, not only in the region, but in the entire country. The 12 DOLE grantees are the Magugpo West Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association, Garinan Mangrove Association, Inc., Women of Rural Improvement Club, Tagum Fish Landing Unified Labors Association, Barangay Tribal Council, Federation of Imams and Datus, Liboganon Fisher Folks Association, Cabugan SEA-K Organization, Negosyanteng Angat Grow Micro Biz, OFW Family Circle, Urban Poor Association of Cebole and 4H Club of Busaon.

JOB KIOSK

NOW IN TAGUM

DOLE Region XI turned over to the City Government of Tagum and unveiled one (1) unit of Job Search Kiosk (JSK) at the 3rd Floor of the Old City Hall Building. The use of the kiosk, a userfriendly information portal that provides information on job opportunities and other employmentrelated information, both local and overseas, is geared towards easing the job hunting activities of the fresh graduates and other types of jobseekers through fast tracked accesses to relevant information on job openings, such as the hiring requirements of employers. It is worthy to note that the City of Tagum is one of the 11 local government units in the country that was chosen by DOLE to be given the JSK due to its potential for job employment generation, and reduction for unemployment as well as underemployment. 19

BORA-BORA CRACKDOWN MORE OR LESS 500 UNITS of modified mufflers valued at P800,000.00 were destroyed during the Flag Raising Ceremony of the City Government of Tagum this Monday, September 21, 2015. The modified mufflers, more commonly referred to as bora-bora, were impounded by the personnel of the Tagum City Police Station between the period of April and September 2015 during their various operations against motorists who were found to be in violation of Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. The installation and use of modified mufflers on motorcycles create excessive and irritating sound resulting to noise pollution, thereby contravening the provision of RA 4135 which states that “No motor vehicle shall be operated in such manner as to cause it to emit or make any unnecessary or disagreeable odor, smoke or noise.” The bora-boras were crushed and destroyed by a steamroller (pison)type of heavy equipment.

Tagum gained praises for successful hosting of annual national scout leaders’ conference THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM gained praises for the successful three-day run of the 59th Annual National Council Meeting of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) which was held in this city last May 20-22, 2015 at Big 8 Corporate Hotel. Said gathering converged close to one thousand (1,000) Scout Leaders from the one hundred eighteen (118) local councils from the different parts of the Philippines. No less than Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar Binay, who also serves as the President of the BSP, opened the annual meeting, which tackled the development and challenges confronting the scouting movement of the country. BSP Tagum City Council Chairperson and Mayor Allan Rellon expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to Tagum to host this event, adding that the commitment of the city to scouting will not end in the hosting of this year’s national council meeting. On the other hand, four new members of the National Executive Board - the governing body of the BSP - were also elected during the meeting and officially took their oath of office before Vice President Binay. 20

April-December 2015

#hashtagum THE BIGGEST STORIES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Expanded Scholarships

School Buildings for K to 12

Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Employees Welfare

The City Government of Tagum takes pride for being the only local government unit in Region XI to have revised its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, vital document that will guide the city in achieving an equitable and balanced development.

MORE THAN 1,000 personnel from the City Government of Tagum will benefit from the agreements that the local government unit has recently made and entered into with different institutions—a fitting gift to government workers in time for the 115th Philippine Civil Service last September.

MORE ON PAGE 28

Harvest

season

2015 is considered a banner year for the city government of tagum as it hauled major awards from various national and regional award giving-bodiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a proof of the brand of excellence in local governance espoused by the rellon administration. here, we compile these awards and tell why these matter to every tagumenyo.

NATIONAL CHAMPION Government Chorale Competition AWARDED by the civil service commission GROUP INVOLVED: TAGUM CITY LGU CHAMBER CHORALE The City of Tagum earned another bragging right to its claim as the Music Capital of Mindanao as the Tagum City Chamber Chorale bested seven other choral groups in the Philippines to win the championship prize in the 2015 Government Chorale Competition held September 15, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The 33-man chorale, which was only formed in 2013 at the onset of the administration of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, impressed the jurors on their rendition of Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” and “O Magnum Mysterium” during the competition sanctioned by the Civil Service Commission in time for the 115th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service this month. But it was their rendition of the main contest piece—Noel Cabangon’s “Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino”—that catapulted them to victory, which also won the group the Best in Contest Piece Arrangement award. Regular and casual employees of the local government form part of the said choral group which considers the competition as their baptism of fire since this is their first time to join a major choral competition. In his statement, Mayor Rellon extended his congratulations to the chorale under the mentorship of Prof. Mario Sabello, stating that the triumph of the chorale group should inspire Tagumenyos “to dream big and work hard to see that dream being fulfilled.” Declared as runners up in the competition are the Supreme Court Chorale (first), NAPOCOR Choir (second) and Dipolog LGU Chorale (third). Tagum’s group was awarded with a plaque with a 200,000 pesos cash prize. “I am happy to belong to Tagum whose objective in life is to achieve excellence. I have been an avid fan of Tagum Chorale since I got my post in Davao del Norte based in Tagum City,” CSC Provincial Director Minda Ostique said.

MOST COMPETITIVE CITY AWARD ON ECONOMIC DYNAMISM AWARDED by the NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS COUNCILS

TAGUM CITY, which was ranked the 60th most competitive component city during last year’s summit, gained major points to be declared the over-all 8th Most Competitive Component City during the 3rd Regional Competitiveness Summit, held on July 16, 2015 at Pasay City, Philippines. According to the official website of the NCC, the cities and municipalities are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score. The overall competitiveness score is the sum of scores on three main pillars which pool data from several sub-indicators. The three main pillars are: economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure. The City of Tagum, ranked under the Independent Component and Component Cities Category, was shown to be the 3rd most competitive component city on the pillar of Economic Dynamism, was ranked 34th on the pillar of Government Efficiency and was the 21st on the pillar of Infrastructure. The total score of 43.1699 garnered by the city on all three pillars made it possible for Tagum to be declared as the 8th Over-all Most Competitive Component City for 2015. 23

HALL OF FAMER Best PESO in the Philippines

AWARDED by the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LEAD OFFICE: PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OFFICE

For three consecutive years since 2013, the Public Employment Services Office grabbed the 1st place in the Search for Best PESO Office in the country, thereby making it to the pedestal of Hall of Fame Awardees of the said recognition in the Philippines. Mayor Allan L. Rellon and PESO Manager Rogeneth Llanos received the award from the Department of Labor and Employment during the National PESO Congress held October 26, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila. The local chief executed noted that this award will inspire more the local government to sustain the level of excellence espoused by PESO Office. PESO Tagum’s winning edge was its excellent implementation, significant contribution and outstanding accomplishments of DOLE’s employment facilitation programs, as well as extending the office’s services beyond their usual call of duty. Aside from PESO Tagum, the PESO of University of Mindanao Tagum College was also declared as first placer in the Search for Best School-Based PESO in the same competition.

PESO Tagum’s winning edge was its excellent implementation, significant contribution and outstanding accomplishments of DOLE’s employment facilitation programs, as well as extending the office’s services beyond their usual call of duty.

BEST LGU PRACTICES ON HOUSING Declared 2nd Placer in recognition of the local government’s innovative programs on addressing urban poor concerns

AWARDED by the housing and urban development coordinating council LEAD OFFICE: city housing section-local housing board twg

The efforts and initiatives of the City Government of Tagum in housing were recognized by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) for its sound legislative actions, pragmatic policies, innovative anti-squatting programs and projects and its effective implementation. The HUDCC, headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, said this enhanced the capacity of the local government in addressing housing and urban development concerns that are recognized by the national government. The recognition, which was presented through a plaque, was bestowed at SM Megamall was received by Engr. Bernardo Castor, who heads the technical working group of the Local Housing Board chaired by Mayor Allan L. Rellon. This is still part of the national government’s drive against professional squatters and squatting syndicates, in its goal of recognizing best practices in the local government. Currently, the local government has eight existing relocation sites, which are developed by the local government.

GAWAD KALASAG

Regional Awardee for Best Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office AWARDED by the office of the civil defense region xi LEAD OFFICE: city disaster risk reduction and management office The City Government of Tagum added another feather on its cap as it won the 2015 Gawad Kalasag Award for Best City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) for Region XI, making it as the official entry of Davao Region to the National Search for Gawad Kalasag. The CDRRMC, under its chairman Mayor Allan L. Rellon, bested fellow component cities in the region in the said competition, which is the country’s premier annual award to local governments for their outstanding contribution in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian action. It recognizes outstanding performance of the Local DRRM Councils, civil society groups, schools, hospitals and other major stakeholders in promoting significant DRRM- climate change adaptation (CCA) programs and innovations. The institutionalization of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) is one of the pillars of Mayor Rellon’s agenda on achieving genuine peace, safety and security as stipulated in the EAGLE WINGS Program. Under Mayor Rellon’s watch, the office has focused on expanding its capability by acquiring equipment to boost its action and response during emergencies and disasters, and even established a 24/7 operation center in the city’s motor pool. 25

DBP FOREST PROGRAM AWARD Declared 3rd Placer in recognition of the local government’s bold environmental programs, specifically on watershed protection

AWARDED by the development bank of the philippines LEAD OFFICE: city environment and natural resources office

The collective efforts of the City Government of Tagum and its people to protect its watersheds and coastal areas finally bore fruit as the city recently placed third in the search for the Outstanding Program Partner during the Development Bank of the Philippines Forest Program Awarding Ceremonies on October 5, 2015 at the DBP Head Office, Makati City. The accolade was given by the banking institution as a way of recognizing the contribution of the local government unit of Tagum to the protection and conservation of the environment through sustainable forest project management which benefits the community and other stakeholders. According to the official website of the state-owned development bank, the Forest Program is an initiative of the DBP primarily to protect the country’s critical watersheds and coastal areas and at the same time, enhance the protection of the government. The site of the 10-hectare mangrove forest project of the city is located along Daang Maharlika and Tancuan Creek in Barangay Bincungan.

GREEN BANNER AWARD This regional award is in recognition to the LGU’s health and nutrition programs.

AWARDED by the department of health region xi LEAD OFFICE: city health office BECAUSE of its efficient nutrition program management, the Department of Health recognized Tagum City Government’s initiatives in improving its nutritional status of the residents in the whole city Tagum received the Regional Green Banner Award during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in Davao City. The Green Banner Award is the highest recognition given to local government units with excellent implementation and management of nutritional programs. Outstanding LGUs in Davao Region were determined by the inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) based on the results of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and BNS Evaluation conducted earlier this year.

eGOV BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT AWARD 2nd Place, Government to Business Category

AWARDED by the national ict confederation of the philippines LEAD OFFICE: CITY BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE The City Government of Tagum also made a significant leap in the eGov Awards for Excellence in ICT in Good Governance for Local Government Units as being conferred the second placer in the Government to Business Category (Business Empowerment Award) this year. The LGUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry this year is the streamlined Business Permits and Licensing System, which saw the increase of businesses in the city, among other things. Said recognition was conferred by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Legazpi City, Albay last October 24, 2015. The eGov Awards is the first and most prestigious recognition to be given by the ICT sector to LGUs with exemplary performance in empowering its Public Customers and Business. It is an annual search for best practices in local government units in utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) to effectively and efficiently deliver its public services directly to its constituents and to its business stakeholders.

7,509 BY THE NUMBERS

Number of Business Permits issued for the year 2015, which is higher compared to 7,337 issued business permits in 2014. The swift and hassle-free steps in acquiring a business permit made possible through streamlining of this process became the winning edge of the City Government to clinch this award.

Last 2013, the City Government of Tagum was also a finalist in the eGov Awards, where it highlighted the importance of its highly-functional website (www.tagumcity.gov.ph) and its social media accounts in engaging an active citizen participation. 27

INVESTING

for t

MORE CLASSROOMS IN SUPPORT TO DEPED’S K TO 12 PROGRAM

The multi-million peso - School Building Project of the City Government of Tagum was finally started during the Simultaneous Commencement and Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Liboganon Elementary School on December 10, 2015. Funded through a Term Loan availed with the Development Bank of the Philippines, the project serves as the counterpart of the local government in ascertaining that scarcity of instructional classrooms in every school is eradicated, or at the very least, minimized, while decongesting

the overly populated public schools in the city, in time for the June 2016 full implementation of DepEd’s K to 12 Basic Education Program, particularly the Senior High School Program, in all private and public educational institutions situated within the City of Tagum. The project, which is pegged at P80 million pesos courtesy of a ten-year term loan from the DBP, is in accordance with the developmental priority thrust of Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon on Education under the EAGLE WINGS Program.

the

FUTURE BENEFICIARY SCHOOLS

According to DepEd Tagum Division OICSuperintendent Dr. Nelson Lopez, the K to 12 Program necessitates the building of laboratories, libraries, instructional rooms, equipments, facilities and classrooms for the proper implementation and delivery of the said program. Also in attendance during the ceremony include Tagum City Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza, Hon. Macario Bermudez, Hon. Agripino Coquilla, Hon. Alan Zulueta, DBP Manager Jemma Ireneo, and other key personnel and officials of the city. The activity was capped with the burying of time capsules in each of the 16 recipient elementary schools and high schools that were chosen for the project.

Liboganon Elementary School Busaon Elementary School Pipisan Maug National High School Tagum City National High School Extension-Canocotan Visayan Village Central Elementary School Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School Rizal Elementary School Union Elementary School Mankilam Elementary School Tagum City National Comprehensive High School Tagum City National Comprehensive High School Extension â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pandapan La Filipina National HS Ext â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Magdum, La Filipina Elementary School Mangga Elementary School Apokon Elementary School Tagum National Trade School 29

lgu scholarship programs

expanded scholar

the gift o

As part of Mayor Allan L. Rellon’s 10-Point Agenda, the City Government of Tagum continues its thrust to support and promote Education among the Tagumenyos through the Sulong – Dunong Scholarship Program catering the incoming and ongoing High School Students, City Ordinance No. 246 S – 2007 known as the Establishment of the City Vocational and Technical Scholarship Program (CIVOTESPRO) catering the incoming Tech-Voc students with Tagum City Trade School as its Institutional partner and City Ordinance No. 673 S – 2014 known as the Establishment of the City Educational Scholarship Program (CESPRO) catering the incoming and ongoing four-year course college students and with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as its

implementing body. For this year 2015, the Sulong Dunong Scholarship Program opened its application last April 13, catering four hundred seventyeight (478) new applicants excluding the renewal of the old sulong dunong scholars with its cut-off on April 24, 2015. The examination took place at the University of Mindanao Tagum Campus last May 12, 2015 with its result posted on May 18, 2015. The total Sulong Dunong beneficiaries were nine hundred thirty-five (935) including the renewed grantees. The orientation and awarding of Scholarship Certificate and school supplies was organized by PESO at the Rotary Park last May 28, 2015 with City Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Hon. Nicandro Suaybaguio in attendance. For the tertiary scholarship, the CIVOTESPRO and CESPRO officially started accepting applicants last April 20 until May 8, 2015. On May 11, 2015 was the Qualifying Examination at the University

rships:

of education of Mindanao Tagum College Gymnasium with a total of two hundred twenty-six (26) examinees in attendance. The result was posted on May 15, 2015 listing the TOP 50 applicants subject for panel interview on May 18 – 19, 2015. Among the panel interviewers were, Ms. Norma R. Pereyras – BOD of Tagum Cooperative and NGO Representative, Ms. Rogeneth P. Llanos – MPA – PDO IV / PESO Manager and Ms. Eva D. Broas from The University of Mindanao Tagum College representing the Association of Private Schools and Universities. The interview result was then posted on May 25, 2015 announcing the twenty-eight (28) official grantees of CESPRO. The orientation and awarding of Scholarship Certificate happened last June 1, 2015 at the Boy Scout of the Philippines Building. For the CIVOTESPRO, the entrance examination of the applicants at Tagum City Trade School was the basis of the

official result. Among the sixty-six (66) applicants, thirty-three were chosen as the official grantees of CIVOTESPRO and were oriented on June 22, 2015 at the Ningnangs Function Hall.(Mary Laine Cartagena)

LGU SCHOLARS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2015-2016

Sulong Dunong (High School)

834

City Educational Scholarship Program

City Vocational Technical Education Scholarship Program

SPES Grantees

274

THREE DAYS before the formal opening of classes for 2015, the City Government of Tagum rolled out its scholarships and educational assistance programs to poor but deserving students following its mandate of prioritizing education under its ten-point development thrust dubbed as EAGLE WINGS Program. A total of twelve thousand seven hundred fifty (12,750) sets of school packs, consisting of notebooks, papers and pens, were distributed by the City Government of Tagum to the scholars of the local government and children belonging to the indigenous peoples and Muslim communities of Tagum. Walk-in recipients are also given the same sets of school packs, which were funded through the Local Government’s General and Special Education Funds, respectively. According to Mayor Allan L. Rellon, the “Oplan Tabang Eskwela” of the local government aims to ease the burden of parents in purchasing much-needed school supplies of their children. On May 29, 2015, no less than the local chief executive received in his office thousands of school children and their parents who flocked to the City Hall to receive school supplies. Mayor Rellon also shared that they will also be roving schools on the first week of the new school year to distribute free school supplies.

Tabang Eskwela sa Mata ng Bata BY JETZYL DELGADO

Sa aking paggising, tanaw ko’y sikat ng araw Tanda ng pangarap, pag-asa, kinabukasan At maging tagapagturo, hangarin kong taglay Upang ipamahagi angkin’g talino’t husay Subalit, ako ay nananaginip lamang ba? Mababang paaralan, sadyang napakailap Tuwing ika’y natatanaw ay napapaluha Bakit kahirapa’y sadyang kay laking bagabag? Gayunman, talagang katangi-tangi rin ako Sapagka’t napabilang sa mga pinagpala Sa ilang napiling nararapat at totoo Angkop na beneficiary ng Tabang Eskwela Maraming salamat Mayor Allan Lopez Rellon Di mo binigo, aking pangarap na matuto Payak man ang iyong pinagkaloob na alay Yaman magpakailanman, siglang bigay at talino

BOTTOM-UP BUDGETING GRANT

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Link between Education and Literacy:

Beneficial among Civil Society Organizations In the national government down to the local governments it is being said that literacy and livelihood are linked together to be a strategy in increasing motivation and participation on the community development process. WORDS BY HANNA MARIE PORLARES

ONE OF THE of the Aquino Administration’s agenda is to reduce poverty and achieve United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 by providing livelihood among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) starting with their capability and enhancement training. The said administration institutionalizes “bottom-up” approach on the budget preparation process applied down to the selected Local Government Units across the Philippines. One of the cities benefited on the national program, Bottom- Up budgeting Process or formerly known as

Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Program (GPBP) is Tagum City. The said program is also suited to the 10 point agenda or the EAGLE WINGS Program of the Local Chief Executive, Mayor Allan L. Rellon, specifically in education and livelihood among his constituents. To show the support in capacitating the Tagum CSOs with new knowledge or even enhancement of skills and culture, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tagum allocates 20 % counterpart in every project of the National Aligned Agencies participated in the said program which is used as fund for the Capability Training, Skills Training CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

“

These linkages will truly promote inclusive participation in community development and poverty alleviation which will bring the city and even the country to greater heights.

and even used for other overhead expenses needed for the project implementation. Two of the beneficiaries of the said program which had already acquired knowledge or enhancement on a particular subject or field are the Federation of Barangay Tribal Council and Tagum City Federation of Coconut Farmers on their project Arts and Craft Cum Livelihood Project and Coconut Buttons and Bead Production respectively. Both are part of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) fund and implemented by Public Employment Service Office (PESO). In the implementation of Arts and Craft Cum Livelihood Project in coordination with the City Tribal Council, the project received a total grant of P 250,000.00, of which, P 200,000 was used for tools and equipment from DOLE and P 50, 000 as LGU Counterpart.

“

On the approved LGU budget, the counterpart was used to conduct Tribal Dressmaking and Beadworks Making on January 20 to Feb 10, 2015 at Tribal Museum, Brgy. East, Tagum City. On the fifteen (15) day training, 40 women and youths were enhanced and even given the chance to understand more their rich culture and became a foundation and first step to make their livelihood project grow. On the other hand, 172 farmers across 8 barangays are among the beneficiaries of the Beads and Button Training on May 19- May 25, 2015 from the total budget of P 500,000.00 and P 100,000.00 LGU counterpart. Through their trainers Ludy Landinilao and Jun Law-ay, beneficiaries are knowledgeable on the other usage of coconut shell or “ bagul”, which is commonly used only for coals. In addition, through the program they were trained to produce beads and button

EVERYDAY LEARNING The indigenous peoples community of Tagum is honing their tribal dressmaking and beadworks craft-making skills with the help from the Department of Labor and Employment and the City Government of Tagum.

and coconut accessories such as bags, belts, etc. In addition, both CSOs were also capacitated on leadership skills, monitoring, project proposal development, and were already knowledgeable in the accreditation process and marketing aspect. Today, both CSOs are already joining different local exhibits which help them to promote their own tradition, skills and their products and support them to generate great 34

income. It will never be denied that through educating CSOs on different skills in business will surely help them survive on their chosen livelihood project. Furthermore, through these linkages will truly promote inclusive participation in community development and poverty alleviation which will bring the city and even the country to greater heights.

Tagum is lone LGU in Davao Region with revised land use plan THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM takes pride for being the only local government unit in Region XI to have revised its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, vital document that will guide the city in achieving an equitable and balanced development. The CLUP brings forth the judicious and sustainable use of the city’s physical and socio-economic resources, its proper allocation and regulation. The same document will guide leaders in demarcating areas, which will strategically yield optimum production and increased efficiency of resources, for the CLUP is the basis of the city’s Zoning Ordinance. The passage of the CLUP—which covers the development plan of the city until year 2025— has been a landmark achievement of the administration of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, who have organized the city’s core of planners led by the city’s former planning officer Mrs. Lucia Damolo to update the said plan, considering that the city is on the surge of unstoppable development. Mayor Rellon endorsed before the 6th City Council led by Vice Mayor Geterito T. Gementiza the said plan during his 1st State of the City Address last March 26, 2015. Public hearings and council deliberation shaped the final version of the document which hurdled final scrutiny by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Davao del Norte and was eventually passed last December 7, 2015. The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Region XI presented a plaque of recognition to the City Government of Tagum led by Mayor Rellon for being the only local government unit in Davao Region to have a revised CLUP. According to the city core of planners head, their group is now working on several plans for the city government to adopt, including the reorganization of the structure of the LGU and the Comprehehsive Development Plan focused on the city’s manpower and economy.

Agreement for LGU workers’ welfare inked MORE THAN 1,000 personnel from the City Government of Tagum will benefit from the agreements that the local government unit has recently made and entered into with different institutions—a fitting gift to government workers in time for the 115th Philippine Civil Service last September. Top of this is the agreement between the City of Tagum and Medical Mission Group Hospital that will cater the LGU’s 356 Plantilla Personnel in relation to the medical procedures and services that will be performed on said workers during their Annual Physical Examination. These Plantilla Personnel include the permanent, elected, appointed and co-terminus employees. During the holding of the Monthly Convocation on Monday, September 7, 2015, the local government unit also signed separate Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) between the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Tagum City Employees Cooperative (TACECO). The agreement with the premier government banking institution was facilitated to allow the 1,360 program-based workers of the city who render their

services thru Job Order contracts to receive their salaries via automated teller machines (ATM). As a result, the bulk of transactions made at the city’s Treasury Office relating to payments of the Job Order employees’ salaries and wages would be significantly diminished, thereby enabling the key treasury personnel to accommodate the transacting public. The City Government of Tagum also signed the Memorandum of Agreement with Tagum City Employees Cooperative (TACECO) for the latter’s free and conditional utilization of Stall No. 43-B located at Tagum Cultural and Trade Center, and the Scholarship Contract with Planning Officer II, Ar. Louella May Apurada for the latter’s completion of a Post-Graduate Master’s Course in Urban Management in The Netherlands.

April-December 2015

tagumpay extra STORIES THAT ARE MAKING US PROUD

Successful Nat’l Jamboree A NATIONAL JAMBOREE rich in lessons will be forever etched in the hearts of more than 21, 126 Scouts and Scouters from different parts of the Philippines—lessons they are bringing home as they label the 16th National Scout Jamboree held last October 24-31, 2015 as “the best ever.” FLIP PAGE TO NOW

New City Landmarks The newest landmarks in the City of Tagum offer distinct symbolisms that point to the city’s rich history, as well as a fitting reminder to Tagumenyos about its role in caring for the environment. Commissioned by the City Government of Tagum, renowned Mindanaoan artist Kublai Milan once again shares his obra maestra which definitely adds to the array of must-see places in Tagum.