JULY - DECEMBER 2014 THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM
VOLUME vIII NO. 2
IN THIS ISSUE TAGUM HAULS MAJOR AWARDS SISTERHOOD TIES WITH MALAYBALAY GULAYAN SA PAARALAN
Action with
Passion
VOLUME VIII NO. 2
CONTE NT S July - December 2014
SISTERHOOD TIES with MALAYBALAY
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LITERACY AWARD
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GULAYAN SA PAARALAN
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The City Government of Tagum and Malaybalay, Bukidnon signed a sisterhood agreement to establish a strong partnership in all areas of development between the two Mindanao cities.
bidding for the completion
of the new city hall
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Tagumenyos can expect to see a functioning state-of-the-art city hall by the end of the year 2015 once the bidding of the local government’s biggest contract-based project to finish the construction of the city’s highly-anticipated governance center will start soon.
CITY OFFICIALS OF TAGUM 2013-2016 HON. ALLAN L. RELLON, DPA CITY MAYOR
HON. GETERITO T. GEMENTIZA, MDMG CITY VICE MAYOR
The City Government of Tagum received the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy for the improvement and sustainability of the city’s literacy programs
The City Government of Tagum recognizes six school-based vegetable gardens as it rolled out its first Gulayan sa Paaralan Excellence Awards
TAX INCENTIVES Robinsons Land Corporation has been granted fiscal and tax incentives for the next five years, making history as the first company to avail such as authorized by the newlyapproved Tagum City Investment Incentive Code of 2014.
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MISSION OF MERCY
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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
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IT TAKES A CITY
The city-led medical service caravan top-billed by American doctors proved to be beneficial to less fortunate Tagumenyos by serving 2, 773 individuals with free surgical and medical services
The police force of Tagum is empowering citizens to take part in their peacekeeping efforts towards achieving genuine peace and order in the city
The City Government of Tagum, through the initiative of Mayor Rellon, has conducted a series of testimonial and thanksgiving programs to various sectors of this city.
CITY COUNCILORS HON. FRANCISCO C. REMITAR, MDMG HON. ALAN D. ZULUETA, MDMG HON. NICANDRO T. SUAYBAGUIO, JR. HON. OSCAR M. BERMUDEZ, MD, MDMG HON. EVA LORRAINE E. ESTABILLO HON. MACARIO A. BERMUDEZ II
HON. TRISTAN ROYCE R. AALA, MDMG HON. AGRIPINO G. COQUILLA, JR. HON. FERNAND S. BORDIOS HON. ESTER L. ANGOY HON. PROSPERO E. ESTABILLO, JR (ABC)
TAGUM HAULS
MAJOR AWARDS The city’s slogan of “Tagum, Tagumpay” gained momentum anew as the City Government of Tagum hauled three major awards from three separate award-giving bodies, solidifying the gains of Mayor Allan L. Rellon’s participatory and people-centered governance.
GALING POOK Tagum City’s Night Market Program bagged one of this year’s Galing Pook Awards, a pioneering program that recognizes innovation and excellence in local governance. Mayor Allan L. Rellon formally received the award from Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and DILG Sec. Mar Roxas who are representatives of President Benigno S. Aquino III in a fitting ceremony held in EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong last October 21, 2014. “Tagum City established the night market to organize and improve the lot of its many ambulant vendors while improving the income generation of the local government that the latter uses to finance its public services and its other development programs,” said Galing Pook Chairperson Ma. Lourdes Fernando in her speech. The winners of the Galing Pook Awards are selected through a multilevel rigorous screening process and are evaluated on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation, transferability and sustainability, and efficiency of program service delivery. Assisting Mayor Rellon in receiving the award were City Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza, members of the 6th City Council of Tagum and some department heads and employees of the local government.
BEST PESO IN THE PHILIPPINES The Public Employment Services Office of the city government was once again declared as Best PESO in the country for the component city category, awarded by the Department of Labor and Employment during the 14th National PESO Congress held at General Santos City last October 22, 2014. PESO Manager Rogeneth Pagdilao Llanos received the award, along with Miss Alicia Sulayon who received the Best School-Based PESO Award for the University of Mindanao Tagum College. Both were recognized for excellently implementing the delivery of employment facilitation programs and services of DOLE, as highlighted by Mayor Rellon who shared with all PESO managers the city’s best practices during the said national congress.
BUSINESS-FRIENDLY LGU Tagum was also recognized as a finalist in the Search for the Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Award “for exemplifying commendable initiatives towards good governance reforms that promote trade and investments, and significantly contribute to local economic development.” The award was given by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry last October 22, 2014 in time for the 40th Philippine Business Conference held at Manila Hotel. PCCI based the award on five criteria which are trade, investments, and tourism promotions; public-private sector partnership; micro, small and medium enterprises [MSME] development; quality management system, innovations, and human resources development; and inter-local government relations.
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TAGUM GRABS COUNTRY’S HIGHEST LITERACY AWARD
TAGUM CITY - The improvement and sustainability of this city’s literacy programs added a substantial push for the City Government of Tagum to clinch the Special Award of Excellence in Literacy which was formally accorded in a fitting ceremony in Baguio City last September 19, 2014 in time for the 2014 National Literacy Conference and Awards. In his acceptance speech delivered to local government leaders and literacy stakeholders from the different parts of the country, Mayor Allan L. Rellon highlighted the strategic multi-sectoral partnership being practiced in the city that served as an ingredient for the successful implementation of the city’s literacy programs. “This award is a product of years of passionate implementation, of hits and misses, and of constant evolution being stimulated by brilliant minds back home,” Mayor Rellon said. The local chief executive also stressed that the city’s literacy programs have equipped the Tagumenyos with the necessary skills “to not only rise up from a life of poverty and discrimination through their own creativity and capacities but also to participate more in formal community organizations and to contribute for the betterment of the society.” The Special Award of Excellence in Literacy is considered to be the
Philippines’ highest award in the field of literacy which is awarded by the National Literacy Coordinating Council created through Republic Act 7165 and whose members came from Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Senate of the Philippines, House of Representatives, National Economic and Development Authority and the Philippine Information Agency. Aside from the official marker awarded to Tagum, the city also received 200,000 pesos cash prize courtesy of the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc., the official partner of DepEd. The said foundation will also finance the development of an Alternative Learning System (ALS) Community Learning Center situated in Barangay La Filipina. The Special Award of Excellence in Literacy is the latest addition to the long list of literacy awards garnered by the city, the last of which is its historic win of the UNESCO King Sejong International Literacy Prize and the Hall of Fame Award back in 2011. For this year, the City Government packaged its bid through EAGLE WINGS Program, the 10-point development thrusts of the Rellon administration where each thrust is infused with literacy programs.
Innovative literacy programs implemented by the LGU Farmers’ Field School Implemented on the City Agriculture office, this noble program teaches farmers from different barangays the latest trends in agriculture. As result, the farmers reported a significant increase in their income
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E-Learning at Palengkeskwelahan The Palengkeskwelahan of Tagum has been sustained and is infused with innovations such as the introduction of E-learning. Learners of the school-inside-the-market now utilize the computer in learning their lessons based on the modules set on DepEd’s Alternative Learning System.
Madrasah Learning Center
Kabuhayan sa Basura
The Muslim Culture and tradition is preserved through the implementation of the Madrasah. Since its implementation, the program has branched to the components such as the Tahderriyah for kindergarten students and Qu’ran literacy programs for adults.
In San Agustin, scavengers who are also learners of DepEd’s ALS integrated a livelihood component in their weekend classes. This gave birth to the Vermiculture project that provided extra income to their association.
TAGUM
INKS SISTERHOOD TIES WITH MALAYBALAY CITY Extending both hands of friendship and convergence, the City Governments of Tagum and Malaybalay, Bukidnon signed a sisterhood agreement that is expected to foster sharing of good governance practices and to establish a strong partnership in all areas of development between the two Mindanao cities. Mayors Allan L. Rellon and Ignacio W. Zubiri signed the sisterhood agreement last November 21, 2014 at Big 8 Corporate Hotel, with city officials and department heads from both cities standing as witnesses. Aside from the two local chief executives, Vice Mayors Geterito T. Gementiza of Tagum and Roland F. Deticio of Malaybalay also affixed their signatures in the said agreement. Under the agreement, both cities commit themselves to develop cooperative projects and programs that are specifically directed but not limited to economy, commerce, investment, business, culture and the arts, industry and other areas of cooperation that both parties may agree upon.
TWIN CITIES Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon and Malaybalay Mayor Ignacio Zubiri exchange pleasantries after signing the agreement on twinning relationship of both cities.
Respective City Councils of both cities passed resolutions signifying intentions to establish mutual cooperation that provided legal basis for the sisterhood agreement, along with the Local Government Code, which authorizes groupings of LGUs to share good practices in local governance. Tagum and Malaybalay’s partnership will be carried out through promotion and collaboration; exchange of information, documents and materials; development of research, projects and studies, human resources training and cultural, sports, academic, arts and social exchange. “This coming-together is just the beginning of a more active and close collaboration that would ensure our cities’ progress and success and will be made possible by our staying and working together,” Mayor Rellon said. On the other hand, Mayor Zubiri acknowledged that the sisterhood agreement will benefit both cities in terms of development and advancing the interests of its people.
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TAGUM’S
'Royal Entrance' to be upgraded
You know you’re already in Tagum if a line of palm trees are already standing with its full might in each side of the road, with locals calling the experience a “royal entrance,” in direct reference to the line of royal palm trees that dot the highway. That “royal entrance” will soon be upgraded with the partnership between the City Government of Tagum and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that joined forces in a beautification project that aims to add more aesthetic beauty to the city’s famed palm trees. Under the partnership formalized through a memorandum of agreement, royal palm trees along Daang Maharlika will be landscaped and will be planted with ornamental plants. The kick-off of the planting of an estimated 51, 300 ornamental plants to approximately 733 royal palm trees from Magdum to Bincungan started last July 23, 2014. Each side of the road planted with royal palm trees are set to be developed by DPWH and the local government, respectively. Under the local bureaucracy, the departments in-charge of this joint project are the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Agriculture Office, Security Management Office and the City Engineering Office. To date, there are more than 13, 000 palm trees planted with 24 species in different sites across Tagum City - from schools, plazas and parks, subdivisions, government offices and even memorial parks - thereby cementing its claim of being the “Palm City of the Philippines.” 4
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Bidding for completion of New City Hall construction to start soon
Tagumenyos can expect to see a functioning state-of-theart city hall by the end of the year 2015 once the bidding of the local government’s biggest contract-based project to finish the construction of the city’s highly-anticipated governance center will start soon. This developed as Mayor Allan L. Rellon, along with the members of the technical working group, personally submitted the approved plan and the project specification manual and its cost estimates to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat last July 2, 2014. The final phase of the construction will be on a turn-key basis, where a private construction firm which will win the rights to carry out the project through a public bidding will finish the construction of the new city hall within the ten-month construction period as estimated by the technical working group.
Under a turn-key scheme, 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. This will be the first time for the city government to use this scheme for a project of this magnitude, as previous projects in the past are done solely by administration including the initial phase of the new city hall’s construction. Newly-appointed Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat Head Nenita C. Noel said the public bidding will commence after her office will convene the Pre-Procurement Bidding Conference with key officials and observers from the Commission on Audit and representatives from non-government organization in order to ensure transparency. During that meeting, the specifications, mode of procurement and other matters pertaining to the conduct of the public bidding will be discussed. After which, the public bidding will commence, Noel added.
UNUTILIZED BUDGET The remaining phase to complete the city hall will be funded by the remaining 231 million pesos loaned by the city government from the Development Bank of the Philippines years ago, according to Engr. Judelyn Ferido who heads the Technical Working Group (TWG) to undertake the pre-engineering works. Engr. Ferido added that the project cost estimates did not reach the 200-million mark, thereby adding to hopes that the modern government center will be finished by the end of 2015. The remaining amount of the budget will be utilized for the procurement of additional office equipments and furnitures, she added.
HIGHEST PRIORITY This development came as Mayor Rellon observes his first year in office, who’s been very vocal to properly utilize the funds intended to finish the construction of the new city hall which is touted by many as one of the best and modern government centers in Mindanao, if not in the whole country. Since assuming the city’s highest office, Mayor Rellon resolves to make this a topmost priority, tagging it the “mother of all infrastructure projects of the city.” In realizing so, he issued Executive Order No. 24, s. 2014 which created an advisory committee and technical working group which aims to ensure the proper utilization of available funds and available project resources for the completion of the new city hall. To achieve transparency, the said Executive Order enjoined the participation of representatives of DBP and COA who sits as observers to the advisory committee. A six-month rigorous audit and project assessment was done by the TWG and finished it on June 30 this year, before they submitted all necessary documents to the BAC Secretariat last July 2. Among the documents they submitted is the approved floor plan and the project specification manual where details on architectural, plumbing, mechanical, fire protection system, elevator system and electricity needs are listed. The spanking New City Hall of Tagum sits in a sprawling site donated by the Ayala Family in Barangay Apokon where once completed, the edifice will become the hub of the city government’s administrative functions which shall provide not only a conducive space for every department to discharge its duties and functions efficiently and effectively but also convenience and pride of taxpayers and the Tagumenyo public in general. JULY - DECEMBER 2014 5
Tagum receives rescue equipment from US The City Government formally received various donated life-saving equipment direct from the United States on Monday, July 21, 2014, which is expected to boost the local government’s operation on disaster risk reduction and management. The equipment includes (10) sets of brand-new inflatable rubber boats with outboard motors; one (1) used speedboat with outboard motor and one (1) unit of Rescue Emergency Medical Service Vehicle considered to be a Type II Ambulance. The said equipment was donated by Am-Phil Equipments and Logistics, LLC based in the State of Massachusetts in the United States as represented by its owner, US-based Filipino Mr. Oliver Lagare. Said donation was secured through a thorough online research conducted by the Office of City Administrator Giovanni L. Rellon who also acts as the
Action Officer of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Estimated cost of the said donation amounts to 7 to 10 million pesos, according to City Administrator Rellon. Mayor Allan L. Rellon extended the local government’s gratitude to Am-Phil, adding that said equipment will add vigor to the city’s trained organic personnel in the Waters Safety Rescue in case of flooding and to heighten the response to any eventualities by the 24/7 Active Lifesaver and Emergency Response Team (ALERT).
10SETS 1USED inflatable rubber boats with outboard motors
speedboat with outboard motor
1UNIT
Rescue Emergency Medical Service Vehicle (Type II Ambulance)
150 reflectorized vests
Private sector extends help In support to the advocacy on Genuine peace, safety and security of the Rellon Administration, the private sector have extended their hand of Cooperation by donating equipment and materials to the City Government of Tagum. This includes the Tagum Cooperative, the Rotary Club of Tagum North and LYR Group of Companies.
Tagum Cooperative turned-over and donated one hundred fifty (150) pieces of the “reflectorized vests” to the local government unit of Tagum City last July 14, 2014. 6
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15 SETS of handheld radio were donated by the Rotary Club of Tagum and the LYR Group of Companies to the Tagum City Police Office and Tagum’s Finest last July 7, 2014.
Lorenzo Rubinos, Sr., the owner of the LYR Group of Companies, formally turned-over the motorcycles to Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Police Supt. Solomon de Castilla last September 1, 2014.
TAGUM DISTRIBUTES
1 MILLION BANGUS FRY TO FISHERFOLKS
“This is an initiative of the local government to help our fisherfolks who suffered during the flooding in the recent calamities that hit the city,” - Mayor allan l. Rellon “This would greatly alleviate the plight of farmers and fisherfolks whose losses in expected income were greatly jeopardized,” City Agriculturist - Harold S. Dawa
One million bangus fry were formally turned-over to 175 brackish water fishpond owners and caretakers who are growing bangus in three coastal barangays in the city, following the City Government of Tagum’s vision of reviving the bangus industry in the city which was devastated by the brunt of Typhoon Agaton earlier this year. Under the Bangus Fry Dispersal Program of the City Government of Tagum through the City Agriculture Office, the 175 farmers received the said government assistance last August 12, 2014 spearheaded by Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Vice Mayor Geterito T. Gementiza. “This is an initiative of the local government to help our fisherfolks who suffered during the flooding in the recent calamities that hit the city,” Mayor Rellon said. The local chief executive noted that this is the biggest assistance rolled out by the local government for the fisherfolks in Barangay Busaon, Bincungan and Liboganon to the tune of 700,000 pesos utilized under the 5% calamity fund of the local government. Another 560,000 pesos is intended for the rehabilitation of agricultural areas,
which puts the total rehabilitation fund to 1, 260,000 pesos. “This would greatly alleviate the plight of farmers and fisherfolks whose losses in expected income were greatly jeopardized,” City Agriculturist Harold S. Dawa said. Dawa further stressed on the importance of helping the bangus industry of the city since its demand is high. Currently, the city is host to 1, 118 hectares of brackish water fishponds growing bangus, all of which are located in the three coastal barangays of Tagum. Throughout the roll-out of the program, technical assistance will be provided by the City Agriculture Office. The aim of reviving the bangus industry in Tagum will soon be given a boost once the construction of the Multi-Species Hatchery in Liboganon will be finished sometime this year. Built in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the hatchery is expected to sustain the supply of fingerlings for mariculture projects not only in Tagum but for the entire Davao Region.
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LGU fetes outstanding
GULAYAN SA PAARALAN
Congratulations!
Tagumpay!
TAGUM CITY NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPION, REGIONAL SEARCH FOR BEST GULAYAN SA PAARALAN
BINCUNGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHAMPION, REGIONAL SEARCH FOR BEST GULAYAN SA PAARALAN (ELEMENTARY CATEGORY)
(SECONDARY CATEGORY)
Six school-based vegetable gardens in the urban and rural categories were recognized by the City Government of Tagum as it rolled out its first Gulayan sa Paaralan Excellence Awards last September 15, 2014 at Big 8 Corporate Hotel. This marked the first time for the local government under the leadership to Mayor Allan L. Rellon to hold such event to recognize the efforts and contribution of schools in institutionalizing the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) in all elementary and secondary schools in the city. Bincungan Elementary School topped the list in the rural category, while San Isidro Elementary School and La Filipina Elementary School was declared second and third placers, respectively. In the urban category, Apokon Elementary School was adjudged the first place winner, followed by Mangga Elementary School and Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School as second and third place winners. The top three winners in each category received 10,000 pesos, 7,000 pesos and 5,000 pesos, respectively, while those included in the top 10 finalists
Dancing traffic officers add color to Tagum’s streets Tagumenyos are advised not to get shocked if they see dancing men in green uniform in the middle of busy streets during rush hour. This as the Traffic Management Office deployed some 20 “dancing” Traffic Management Officers (TMO) in an effort to ease the stress—both by the motorists and the traffic officers themselves— brought by street congestion during peak hours. Major streets in the city are now manned by dancing officers directing the flow of traffic, to the amusement of motorists and the riding public. This innovation was launched last August 22, 2014 after the selected 20 TMO underwent a professional training by a dance 8
JULY - DECEMBER 2014
instructor commissioned by the City Government of Tagum, according to Traffic Management Office Head Insp. Cosme Masepequiña. Among the identified streets where the public can see the “performance” of these traffic officers are in the National Highway, Rizal Street and Pioneer Avenue, among others. Masepequiña assured the public that the flow of traffic is still the topmost concern of these officers, adding that their dance exhibitions are also in strict accordance with the usual rules and styles in managing the flow of traffic. On his part, Mayor Allan L. Rellon strictly advised the dancing traffic officers not to accept money from motorists since they reported that there are some who seemed amused and entertained with their performance
also received 2,000 pesos. The awarding ceremony culminated the citywide two-month rigorous evaluation process where schools were judged on sustainability, garden quality, nutritional outcomes, educational relevance and generation of community participation. In his speech, Mayor Rellon said the ceremony is a fitting tribute to all the people involved who took part in strengthening the GPP—from students, principals, teachers, barangay officials, parents and volunteers. He challenged the implementers to sustain the program, saying that the award is only secondary to the main purpose of implementing a win-win mechanism to sustain the schools’ feeding programs in a bold vision of eradicating malnutrition in the city. Mayor Rellon also announced that aside from the GPP, the city government under the City Agriculture Office will also implement the Gulayan sa Barangay and Gulayan sa Kapurokan following his directive in making Tagum as a model city in vegetable farming.
and felt the need to hand them money—a thing they politely declined. One amused pedestrian even recorded the dancing traffic officers and uploaded it to social networking site Facebook which has gone viral in the city. Meanwhile, the City Government already kicked off its conduct of traffic assessment leading to the formulation of a Traffic and Transport Technical Proposal, which aims to ease traffic congestion within the identified junctions and sustain orderliness in the transport system. The proposal will pave the way to the 25-million peso traffic signalization project that will be funded by the World Bank upon the recommendation of the League of Cities of the Philippines. Under the proposal, traffic lights worth five million pesos each will be installed in five major streets within downtown Tagum.
Farmers take spotlight in Tagum’s
The City Government of Tagum aims to project the image of farmers as the real "heroes" towards the attainment of food security as the city formally opened its 2nd UGMAD Festival Tuesday, September 2, 2014. "It's high time to project our farmers as heroes in our community and they certainly deserve all the recognition," said Mayor Allan Rellon before farmers and fisherfolks gathered at the Rotary Park during the kick-off of the month-long festival. Mayor Rellon further stressed that UGMAD, which officially stands for "Uma Gamiton, Mag-uuma atong Dayegon," is designed to recognize the noble contribution of the farmers and fisherfolks as the backbone of community in food security. Throughout the festival, farmers will be capacitated with the latest trends in farming and agriculture through the conduct of a Farmers' Congress infused with technical demonstrations, product presentation and series of fora and caucus—all designed in an attempt to further improve their productivity. Mayor Rellon also said this is also a direct response to the concern of the Department of Agriculture that today's farmers now belong to the "graying community." "Through this, we hope to encourage our youth to seriously consider farming. That is why we are implementing and strengthening the community-based gardening through the Gulayan sa Paaralan and Gulayan sa Barangay."
Highlighting the festival opening was the Carroza y Pintados de Carabao, where painted carabaos and their carriage full of fruits and other farm products were paraded in the city's major streets. Focusing on crops, fishery and livestock, the four-week run of the UGMAD Festival will feature a Durian Trade Fair, culinary competitions, cooking demonstrations, an agriculture trade fair, bangkarera competition and the search for the best native lechon competition. Nightly entertainment will also be staged in the Rotary Park where affordable durians await patrons of what can be considered the King of the Philippine fruits. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture Region XI also turned over a 2.4 million-peso agricultural tractor to farmers as promised by Sec. Proceso Alcala during his visit last March 7 this year. DA Regional Director Remelyn Recoter also said the raffle for their department’s carabao dispersal program will be continued this month, as well as of other agricultural assistance assured by Secretary Alcala during his last visit in the city. RD Recoter mentioned that DA-funded farm-to-market roads have already been in place in the city, while the construction of the state-of-the-art multi-specie hatchery based in Barangay Liboganon will be finished soon. On top of this, Mayor Rellon also reported that the construction of the 10 million-peso Double A slaughterhouse jointly built by the City Government and DA’s National Meat Inspection System have already started in Barangay Magdum while his administration have already submitted the proposal for the application to DA on the construction of a 130 million-Halal abattoir.
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Robinsons Land Corporation: first to avail of tax incentives in Tagum
WITH THE COMMENCEMENT of the construction of Robinson’s Place Tagum this year, its developer Robinsons Land Corporation have been granted fiscal and tax incentives for the next five years, making history as the first company to avail such as authorized by the newly-approved Tagum City Investment Incentive Code of 2014. In its 1st year of operation, the company will be exempted to pay business tax, real property tax and payment from local fees and charges for the building permit, mayor’s permit and other necessary licensing fees. The company, which operates the chain of shopping malls in the country, will invest 2.7 billion pesos for the construction of the newest mall in Tagum that will be located in a sprawling site in Barangay Visayan Village along the city’s national highway.
Mayor Allan L. Rellon, who heads the Tagum City Investment Promotion Board, is optimistic this will entice more businessmen to invest in the city, which will be beneficial to Tagum in terms of employment generation and improving the economic vibrancy of the city. The board, which has a multi-sectoral membership, is sanctioned by the ordinance to review application and other documentary requirements submitted by companies that would like to avail of fiscal
PERSPECTIVE OF THE ROBINSON’S PLACE TAGUM 10
JULY - DECEMBER 2014
incentives. Following the provisions of the local ordinance, Robinsons Land Corporation is exempted from paying the business tax until its 3rd year of operation, and their exemptions for the same will be pegged at 50% and 25% on its 4th and 5th year of operations, respectively. On its second year, the company will be granted 75% exemption in the payment of real property tax that will be cascaded to 50% on its third year of operations. There will be no exemptions for
RPT payment for their 4th and 5th year of operations. Meanwhile, all exemptions from local fees and charges is only allowed on their first year, so the company will have to pay for licensing fees and other permits on their second year of operations onwards. Categorized as a Large Scale and a New Project under Property Development within the Investment Preferred Areas as defined by the ordinance, Robinsons Place Tagum is expected to have its grand opening on December 2015.
IN A GLANCE
investment priority areas Under the ordinance, the following are the identified Investment Priority Areas in Tagum City, which is described as the specific economic activities that are identified and approved by the Investment Board to be eligible for fiscal and/or non-fiscal incentives under the Investment Code, to wit: -Agriculture/Agri-Business and Fishery -Cottage and Light Manufacturing Industries -Medium Manufacturing Industries -Export-Oriented Industries with Value-Adding Activities -Packaging Industries -Tourism and Recreational Facilities -Health and Wellness, Educational and Sports -Property Development -Information and Communication Technology -Transport and Infrastructure -Environment Protection or Green Projects -Clean Water Projects -Publication or Printing of Books/Textbooks -Generation of New Sources of Energy
declaration of policy To accelerate social and economic growth and in bringing peace, progress and redistribution of wealth to less developed areas in Tagum City, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the City of Tagum to attract new investments, encourage expansion, diversification and retention of existing industries while at the same time ensuring a clean, green, safe and child-friendly environment, and providing equal opportunities to men, women and to differently-abled persons within the context of sustainable development and in accordance with the agro-industrial framework of the city and its surrounding areas. It is also the policy of the city to engage in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program in its pursuit for such socio-economic development.
What are the Incentives granted under City Ordinance No. 661? FISCAL INCENTIVES Exemption from Local Business Taxes The period for the granting of the exemption from local business taxes is from three to six years, depending on the types and capitalization of registered enterprises.
Exemptions to a New Project PERIOD OF AVAILMENT
SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISE
MEDIUM SCALE LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISEE
FIRST YEAR
100%
100%
100%
SECOND YEAR
50%
75%
100%
THIRD YEAR
25%
50%
100%
FOURTH YEAR
0%
25%
50%
FIFTH YEAR
0%
0%
25%
A New Project is described as a project/activity listed in the Investment Priority Areas (IPAs) of the City that has not started commercial undertaken by: 1. A newly-organized or formed enterprise; or 2. an existing enterpruise that shall engage in an entirely distinct and different activity from its existing business operation; or the same activity provided it shall establish a new facility in an area not contiguous to the premises of its existing project and with new investments.
Exemptions to a New and Pioneering Project A Pioneering Project is defined as a new project which type of business is not yet existing in Davao Region. An Expansion Project is an existing project that involves installation of additional facilities and equipment of an existing enterprise that will result to increase in production capacity of the same product line within the same/existing plant/facility of the enterprise. In case of incentive availment, only the incremental increase in production is subject to incentives as stipulated in the Investment Incentives Code.
PERIOD OF AVAILMENT
SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISE
MEDIUM SCALE LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISEE
FIRST YEAR
100%
100%
100%
SECOND YEAR
100%
100%
100%
THIRD YEAR
50%
75%
100%
FOURTH YEAR
25%
50%
75%
FIFTH YEAR
0%
25%
50%
SIXTH YEAR
0%
0%
25%
Exemptions to Existing, Expanding and Diversifying Enterprises PERIOD OF AVAILMENT
SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISE
MEDIUM SCALE LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISEE
FIRST YEAR
100%
100%
100%
SECOND YEAR
50%
50%
75%
THIRD YEAR
0%
0%
50%
FOURTH YEAR
0%
0%
25%
FIFTH YEAR
0%
0%
0%
NON-FISCAL INCENTIVES are provided to assist registered enterprise in successfully accomplishing its activities prior to, during, and after the registration by providing the following services: -One-stop information and investment assistance -Assistance on Site Identification -Assistance on Regulatory Compliance -Assistance in Availing Local Incentives -Assistance to raw material supply-based development and strengthening -Manpower development and pooling -Offsite infrastructure development -Support to labor dispute management -Assurance of peace and order -Inclusion in LGU’s trade and investment collaterals -Access to business and investment information -Business and Market Facilitation -Other Services that may be authorized by the Board
A Diversified Business Enterprise is an enterprise that installs additional facilities and equipment and expands its existing production into another product line. A Distressed Enterprise is an enterprise that is damaged because of natural calamaties due to force majeure and fire that needs rehabilitation and repair to continue its normal operation but not to include those in distress by reason of bankruptcy.
Exemptions to Distressed Enterprises PERIOD OF AVAILMENT
SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISE
MEDIUM SCALE LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISEE
FIRST YEAR
100%
100%
100%
SECOND YEAR
50%
50%
50%
THIRD YEAR
0%
0%
25%
FOURTH YEAR
0%
0%
0%
Exemption from Basic Real Property Taxes Aside from exemptions from Local Business Taxes, exemption from Basic Property Taxes on land, buildings, and equipment therein, excluding the share of barangay and that portion due to Special Education Fund. The period for the granting of exemption is from three to four years depending on the types and capitalization of registered enterprises. Exemption from Local Fees and Charges The exemption from the payment of fees of building permit, Mayor’s permit, and licensing fees for the 1st year of operation only. The exemption should not extend to fees and charges imposed for services rendered by the LGU, such as garbage fees, electrical inspection fees and similar others, as well as rental for use of public utilities owned and operated by the local government. JULY - DECEMBER 2014
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A group of medical specialists from Metro Manila is pushing to avert maternal deaths and reduce birth complications through early diagnosis by offering free obstetrical scans to pregnant women who are in their fifth to sixth month of gestation using a portable ultrasound machine integrated with a smartphone. Approximately 210 Tagumenyo pregnant women from the 23 barangays of the city availed of the free ultrasound through the Project iBuntis (Imaging Buntis) last September 22-23, 2014, a project operated by the University of the Philippines Manila-College of Medicine and is funded by Grand Challenges Canada. Tagum, along with the City of Parañaque in Metro Manila, were chosen as pilot cities for the said program in the Philippines. Team leader Dr. Godofreda Dalmacion of UP Manila said they wanted to create awareness not only among pregnant women but also among government leaders on the importance of ultrasound testing as a key step in reducing birth complications and maternal deaths. Data released by the National Economic and Development Authority through its Fifth Progress Report on the Millennium
Development Goals showed that while the Philippines is on track in achieving the goal of reducing child mortality, the country is still far from achieving the goal of reducing maternal mortality. Causes of maternal deaths are hemorrhage, sepsis, obstructed labor, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and complications of unsafe abortion, most of which are preventable with proper diagnosis and intervention through ultrasound, Dalmacion added. GE Electronics provided the portable ultrasound machines for the project, which costs at around 450,000 pesos. Women’s health advocate Margie Moran-Floirendo who was present during the launching is calling on the government to invest in this machine to help increase awareness in reproductive health care. “More health services are needed and more education needs to be taught to women and this portable machine will surely help us a lot. It’s so small you can bring it to far-flung barangay health centers where pregnant women can be tested,” the former Miss Universe said.
DSWD XI, LGU Tagum to feed 5,000 kinder kids for 6 months Kindergarten pupils will have another reason to go to school every day as the 94 day care schools in the 23 barangays here will start its six-month supplemental feeding program jointly implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the City Government of Tagum. Dubbed as the "Hot Lunch Program," this 120-day feeding program will benefit 5,000 kindergarten students in the day care centers operated by the City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office. The daily feeding progam— which is now on its fourth cycle in Tagum City—will be financed by the DSWD to the tune of 6, 131, 152 pesos, according to City Social Welfare and Development Office Chief Nora Lupiba. Said funding was already downloaded to the local government's
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treasury office and was ceremonially received by the local government officials led by Mayor Allan Rellon, Vice-Mayor Geterito T. Gementiza and some of the city councilors last Monday, August 18, 2014. She added that the feeding program will follow a strict menu plan prepared by the DSWD so as to achieve their vision of eradicating malnutrition among day care pupils. However, those children identified as malnourished living near the day care center and whose age ranges from 4 years and below will also be allowed to avail of the feeding program. Lupiba noted that this program was able to increase the participation rate in the day care schools and had contributed to the attainment of Millennium Development Goals, especially on the fight against malnutrition and promotion of universal education for all. Under the program implementation,
parents will be the one to prepare the daily lunch of their children following the DSWD menu with the assistance of the day care teachers. Last month, several elementary schools in Tagum City with high prevalence of malnutrion was also given supplemental feeding programs as financed by DSWD with the assistance of the Deparment of Education.
‘Mission of Mercy’ medical mission benefits thousands in Tagum
Serving at least 2, 773 individuals, the city-led medical services caravan top-billed by American doctors proved to be beneficial to less-fortunate Tagumenyos who flocked to various sites to avail of the free surgical and medical services offered during the five-day activity. Jalmaida Jamiri, executive assistant to Mayor Allan L. Rellon, disclosed that 60 individuals were able to avail of the free major surgery operations that included cleft lip and palate repairs, thyroidectomy, herniorraphy, hydrocele repairs and hemorroidectomy—operations that are expensive in private hospitals. Dubbed as “Mission of Mercy,” the said activity was conducted last October 19-24, 2014 by the City Government of Tagum in collaboration with the Memphis Mission of Mercy, Inc., Kiwanis Club of Golden Tagum, Diocese of Tagum, Davao del Norte Provincial Government, 10th Infantry Agila Division and the Bishop Joseph Raegan Hospital, Incorporated. Jamiri added that aside from the major surgeries, 2,030
individuals were also given free medical check-up and medicines while 341 others benefited in the dental services and tooth extraction and 342 individuals for the free haircuts. A composite team of 28 American and Filipino doctors, nurses and medical practitioners volunteered during the week-long activity that was held in different venues like the Tagum City Pavilion, Bishop Raegan Hospital and in the nearby town of Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte. The team from Memphis Mission of Mercy was led by its chairman and founder Mr. Renato Zalamea, CRNA, who led the group in conducting medical-surgical humanitarian missions to the Philippines on an annual and sometimes semi-annual basis having reached over 15,000 individuals in sixteen mission trips since 2001. The City Government of Tagum and Kiwanis Club provided additional manpower and provision of medicines during the activity, in line with Mayor Rellon’s health agenda as stipulated under his tenpoint development agenda dubbed as EAGLE WINGS Program.
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Tipanuds celebrate
Thousands of lumads converged last October 10, 2014 at the RDR Gymnasium to celebrate the 12th installment of the Kaimunan Indigenous Peoples Festival, where tribal songs, dances, crafts, music and rituals were highlighted as part of Tagum’s rich cultural tradition. Different cultural presentations and competitions highlighted the three-day run of the festival, as well as a one-day civil registration, medical and dental mission, job matching and registration for IP senior citizens. The celebration began with a tribute parade and motorcade leading to the RDR gymnasium, the venue of the culminating activities of the 12th Kaimunan Festival. Prior to the celebration, series of activities were also conducted in various areas such as the fiveday acrylic painting workshop at the Freedom Park, where IP youth underwent a rigorous training under the supervision of renowned Tagumenyo artist Jun Porlares.
The indigenous dish lyurot was also highlighted in the festival through the Tipanud MasterChef competition held at Big 8 Corporate Hotel last October 9. Lyurot is a meat dish cooked inside a bamboo pole using indigenous herbs like kalabo, ganda and tanglad. This year’s celebration pushed through even in the absence of one central figure who pioneered the celebration 12 years ago—Datu Rudy T. Onlos—whose untimely death months ago took everyone by surprise. This prompted the natives of Tagum belonging to Mansaka and Mandaya Tribes to celebrate this year’s festival in honor of Datu Onlos, who made history as the city’s first indigenous peoples mandatory representative, carrying the voices of the indigenous peoples to the halls of the 6th City Council of Tagum. Mayor Allan L. Rellon led in honoring Datu Onlos who was presented the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award formally received by his family. The local chief executive heralded the unity of the different tribes of Tagum and lauded the efforts of the late of Datu Onlos for making this a reality.
“We may be diverse, but we remain united in our collective aspiration,” - mayor allan Rellon
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2,080 Muslim households receive food packs from LGU Tagum
In time for the month-long celebration of Ramadan that will conclude through the celebration of Eid’l Fit’r next week, the City Government of Tagum led by Mayor Allan L. Rellon made rounds in Muslim communities to distribute food packs to approximately 2,080 households across the city. No less than Mayor Rellon personally spearheaded the week-long distribution of the said food assistance to various Muslim Communities in the Barangays of Pagsabangan, Mankilam, Magugpo South, Magugpo East, Pandapan, Nueva Fuerza, Magugpo West, Magugpo Poblacion, San Miguel, Canocotan, Bincungan, Busaon, Apokon, Visayan Village, Liboganon, San Isidro and Madaum.
Each food pack consists of rice, flour and coffee.
The week-long distribution kicked off last July 21, 2014 and concluded on Friday, July 25. This is the second year that the Rellon Administration handed out food packs to Muslim communities in Tagum, as part of the local government’s solidarity as they celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan. This is also an opportune time for the local chief executive to know first-hand the plights and needs of their respective communities, as Mayor Rellon also met with local leaders, datu and imams during the week-long activity. This is in line with Mayor Rellon’s EAGLE WINGS governance agenda, specifically on social services and that of cultural development through the protection, preservation, recognition and promotion of the city’s cultural communities, of which the Muslim Community is part of. Facilitating the week-long distribution is the Office on Muslim Affairs under the City Mayor’s Office.
231 JOB-SEEKERS hired on the spot in Tagum Fiesta Career Fair A total of 231 job seekers were hired on the spot during the Tagum Fiesta Career Fair which was spearheaded by the City Government of Tagum through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) last November 12, 2014 at NCCC Mall of Tagum. Basing on the data released from PESO Manager Rogeneth P. Llanos, 743 registered applicants were recorded during the Fiesta Career Fair and among them, 231 were immediately hired. From the number of applicants who were hired on the spot, the 210 were eligible for local employment while 21 others qualified for overseas employment.
“Our reason behind why we organized this job fair is to generate more employment among Tagumenyos whether its for local or overseas companies,” Llanos said.
She also added the generation of employment among job seekers is the employment agenda of Mayor Allan L. Rellon‘s administration which is part of the local chief executive’s development drive integrated in the EAGLE WINGS Program. On the other hand, Lym R. Ongoy, LEO III from Department of Labor and Employment Region XI encouraged applicants to prioritize local job vacancies application especially companies present during the fair rather than prioritizing companies who only provides referrals.
“Mas dako man gud ang chance na ma hire ta kung pilion nato first ang local vacancies rather than overseas at the same time dili ta mamili og companies na referrals ra ang mahatag as of now, chance na ni, e-grab na nato jud especially na puwede dayun ta ma interview,” Ongoy added. Ongoy also stated that the Local Government of Tagum is truly successful in mounting the Fiesta Career Fair for it plays a great role in generating huge number of hired on the spot applicants which also made a way in helping DOLE’s goal in lessening the unemployment rate among the region. The said job fair was also supported by the NCCC Mall of Tagum, AMA Computer College, Department of Labor and Employment, National Statistics Office and Professional Regulation Commission and organized by the PESO – Local Legislative Staff Assistant III, Orlin G. Bagnaan, together with the PESO staffs. Other services offered during the Career Fair, are mobile renewal of professional licenses by the Professional Regulation Commission with 54 beneficiaries, mobile NSO authentication with 57 recipients, and mobile passporting with 137 recipients. JULY - DECEMBER 2014
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Maris
—TAGUM’S PROUDEST DAUGHTER—
comes home Traffic was in standstill in the city as Tagumenyos went out to streets to welcome home its proudest daughter, Maris Racal, who had a motorcade along Tagum’s major streets last September 9, 2014 as her way of thanking her Tagumenyo fans whose massive support earned her 2nd Big Placer victory in ABS-CBN’s hit reality show Pinoy Big Brother. Maris was seen smiling and waving to her Tagumenyo supporters during the two-hour motorcade, before proceeding to the City Hall where she paid a courtesy call to Mayor Allan L. Rellon. “Daghang salamat sa suporta ninyong tanan and I really appreciate it,” the 16-year old Tagumenya said to the local chief executive. Maris, or Mariestella Racal in real life, claimed her spot on fame after winning 2nd Big Placer in the hit franchise show of ABS-CBN where she was dubbed as the “Singing Sunshine of Davao.” In her homecoming to Alma Mater St. Mary’s College, she proved this title to be true as she offered a three-song presentation before her schoolmates during their school’s foundation day celebration. On her part, SMC President Maria Niña C. Balbas, RVM lauded Maris for “living up to Marian values” while staying inside the Big Brother house. In an interview with the City Information Office, Maris said she was overwhelmed by the all-out support of Tagumenyos.
“Akala ko nga magta-taxi lang kami pauwi ng Tagum from the airport pero may banda pang sumalubong,” Maris said, who came home with her parents Leony and Henry.
Maris is currently under contract with Star Magic, ABS-CBN’s training and management subsidiary of the country’s largest network. The Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) joined the whole country in conducting a simultaneous fire and earthquake drill as part of National Disaster Consciousness Month in consonance of its disaster preparedness program. Students from St. Mary's College both Elementary and Secondary Department were able to participate in the surprise Earthquake and Fire drill done in their school last July 2, 2014. Employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) based in Tagum City also participated in the event. This drill highlighted the importance of disaster risk reduction mechanisms and management in the city, including their safe rescue capability, expertise and training such as safety drills. City Administrator and CDRRMO head Mr. Giovanni Rellon said this simultaneous Fire and Earthquake drill is done to make Tagumenyos aware of the things they should do during disasters such as fire and earthquake that calls for immediate action. The month-long celebration banners the theme “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran.” 16
JULY - DECEMBER 2014
Mankilam muse is new
Mutya ng Tagum
Loud cheers and jubilation marked the coronation of Barangay Mankilam’s Korina Dayan Sawan as the newest Mutya ng Tagum City which signaled the start of her year-long reign as the city’s ambassadress of goodwill. A jam-packed RDR gymnasium stood witness to the historic crowning last November 20, 2014, exactly a year after the first Mutya ng Tagum was crowned. Aside from winning the night’s top plum, 20 year-old Korina hauled minor and major awards—including Miss Eloquent—besting nine other candidates in the competition that is marked with pomp and splendor, beauty and intelligence. “It was really unexpected because I was not the smartest, prettiest and sexiest among the 10 candidates,” she posted on her Facebook account which have 3, 230 followers as of this writing. Korina will spend her one-year reign as Tagum’s ambassadress of goodwill, specifically on the local government’s agenda of wellness, sports and health that are stipulated under the EAGLE WINGS Program, which is the central theme of this year’s pageant.
“I have been waiting for this moment and I can’t believe that I made it. I will not promise anything but I will do my best to fulfill my responsibilities as a Mutya,” she added. Adjudged as 1st runner up was Janine Nicole Orcena of San Miguel while Krizia Kazandra Prado of Magugpo North took home the 2nd Runner up prize. Other winners include Mankilam’s Bai Rhea Daffodil Dilangalen (3rd runner up), Magugpo South’s Christine Lou Macuro (4th runner up) and Magugpo West’s Marie Kristine Diaz (5th runner up). The City Government of Tagum partnered with Buenas Supermart in staging the 2nd search for the city’s official muse, which is one of the activities in celebration of the Parochial Fiesta of Christ the King. Among the members of the panel of judges who helped in selecting this year’s Mutya ng Tagum are Binibining Pilipinas MJ Lastimosa and Actor Host Mikael Daez.
SUPER ACHIEVER BARANGAY Barangay Liboganon in Tagum City bested big and progressive barangays in Davao Region as it was proclaimed the “Super Achiever Barangay” in the Regional Sandugo Awards of the Department of Health, after achieving more than 73% donor retention rate. Receiving the award was Barangay Captain Edwin Ballesteros who received it from Mayor Allan Rellon, who served as guest speaker during the awards, and Dr. Leoncio Ong of Davao Blood Center. JULY - DECEMBER 2014
Symbolic holiday tree offers hope in Tagum
The holiday tree proved that despite of diversity, we Muslims, Christians and Lumads share the same sentiments, happiness and hope that we can be resilient in all the challenges that come to our way
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For many Tagumenyos, November is a much-awaited month as it offers two distinct events that are both crowd-drawer and symbolic, each one celebrating Christ the King, the city’s official patron. As a prelude to the city’s parochial fiesta this coming November 23, the city formally lit up its Holiday Tree last November 13, 2014 at the Freedom Park. The annual event has become a highly-anticipated program, where thousands of Tagumenyos join in the countdown to signal the formal lighting of the city’s Christmas icon which is present in every holiday season since the start of the new millennium. No less than Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario, along with the rest of the city officials, led locals in lighting this year’s 61-feet holiday tree adorned with 373 meters of rope lights, 645 sets of rice bulbs and 319 assorted sets of decorative designs consisting of snow flakes, leaves, birds, stars, raindrops and sequential lights. “It was a bit smaller compared to the previous holiday trees of the city yet it’s the most beautiful in recent years,” noticed Novea Anne Villegas, a non-uniform personnel of the Philippine National Police. Adding flare to this year’s icon is the humungous life-sized eagle—with a wingspan of 5 meters and a height of 1.5 meters—sitting atop the holiday tree and just below a multi-colored star representing the Almighty Creator, lighting the path of the eagle representing the ten-point development agenda of the Rellon administration. Mayor Rellon bared that the city allocated 600 thousand pesos for the annual structure and some of the materials used were recycled from last year’s holiday tree. The private sector also donated a substantial amount for the provision of Christmas lights. Thursday’s ceremony was marked with grand musical performances from the chorale groups in the city, brass bands, the symphonic orchestra and the dancing traffic officers, eliciting cheers and smiles from people from all walks of life and from different cultural and religious affiliations. Anwar Maadel, a government employee and a proud Muslim, said that the city’s Christmas icon never failed to muster hope and unity among the tri-people of Tagum every year. “The holiday tree proved that despite of diversity, we Muslims, Christians and Lumads share the same sentiments, happiness and hope that we can be resilient in all the challenges that come to our way,” he said. “It is a symbol of the joyous spirit of Christmas with all its hopes and dreams and that truly Filipino culture of being one as a people and as a family,” added Ida Damo of ABS-CBN’s Choose Philippines. Aside from the Freedom Park, major streets and government buildings in Tagum are also decorated with lights, adding to the vibrancy of the Tagumenyo Christmas spirit. zThe holiday’s tree comes to life nightly starting at 6 PM and will be lights out at 2 in the morning.
Tagum police enjoins citizen participation in peacekeeping
The police force is empowering citizens to take part in their peacekeeping efforts towards achieving genuine peace and order in the city with the official launching of a program that enjoins citizens' pro-active role in security concerns. The Philippine National Police launched the Tagum Home Defense Security Concept, which taps the support of household adults in securing primarily their homes and that of their community in general. The launching was held Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the Tagum City Pavilion, which was attended, by Mayor Allan L. Rellon, PNP Regional Director Wendy Rosario and representatives from the academe, religious and business sectors. A brainchild of PNP Regional Office XI, the said concept rallied the support of ordinary citizens to contribute in peacekeeping efforts, as
aligned by the city's unofficial slogan that is Tagumpay Tagum (Tayo na at gumawa ng Payapang Hakbang para sa lalo pang Ikauunlad ng Tagum.) Under the program, police personnel will be conducting advocacy seminars to all households in a mass assembly in anticipation to equip household adults with tips in securing their homes. City DILG Director Eliza P. Mendoza bared that the series of seminars will begin this month and will end in February 2015, and will primarily target the heads of respective families. She added that emergency hotline numbers will also be posted in houses and that they will also encourage parents to teach their children on the importance of these hotline numbers. Police Supt. Ronaldo Llanera, chief of the regional police community relations department, said that while the police force is doing its best to deter crimes, it still needs the support of the community. This was seconded by PNP Provincial Director Police Supt. Samuel Gadingan of the Davao del Norte Police Office who said that citizens can have a crucial role in helping their force.
"We can only do that if all of us will actively take part in safeguarding the place we love," - police supt. samuel Gadingan This home-based defense scheme will be in addition to the LGUsupported initiatives in organizing the Barangay Peace Action Team and the purok-based peace keepers. Through this and with the launching of a new PNP-led program, Mayor Rellon hopes this will improve the "synergy" towards achieving genuine peace and order in Tagum.
LGU increases mobility in barangays The City Government of Tagum led by Mayor Allan L. Rellon is determined to increase the mobility of barangay functionaries in doing their respective barangay-related activities with the distribution of equipment and motor vehicles to several barangays of the city. Barangay captains formally received the equipment and vehicles amounting to 7, 233, 872.76 pesos during the city hall’s Monday Convocation Program last December 1, 2014.
The equipment that were given to 14 barangays consist of six-wheeler cargo truck, motorcycles, Mitsubishi L300 vans and a dump truck.
The barangays who received the equipment are Apokon, Bincungan, Cuambogan, Liboganon, Madaum, Magdum, New Balamban, Pagsabangan, Pandapan, San Agustin, San Miguel, Visayan Village, La Filipina and San Isidro. As agreed, respective barangays will be the new caretakers of the said equipment which is owned by the City Government of Tagum JULY - DECEMBER 2014
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TAGUM OBSERVES HEROES DAY Tagumenyos were asked to reflect on the value of modern-day heroism as the city joined the whole country in paying tribute to the nation’s revered heroes in time for the celebration of the National Heroes Day last August 25, 2014. Mayor Allan L. Rellon led the city in paying homage to heroes of yesteryears and to those unsung heroes who have fought hard for the country’s independence.
St. Peter Life Plans donates anew for Botanical Park development
Their sacrifice, as well as their tenacity, according to the local chief executive, should serve as an inspiration for everyone especially in the modern times.
“It’s not necessary that you sacrifice your life to be a hero, but living your life for the service to others can also be a measure of heroism,” said Mayor Rellon in his talk to the local media after the program. The city’s observance of the National Heroes Day was marked with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Freedom Park that was participated by City Officials, department heads, members of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Sons and Daughters of Veterans, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. A short program then followed the ceremony, where series of patriotic songs and dances were performed by the students of selected schools in the city. Davao del Norte Vice Governor Victorio R. Suaybaguio served as the guest speaker during the event, representing Governor Rodolfo del Rosario. Seven white doves were later released towards the end of the program, signifying the city’s tribute to the sacrifice of the country’s heroes.
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As part of its three-year commitment to assist in the development of the San Agustin Botanical Park, St. Peter Life Plans once again handedover a cheque amounting to 472, 250 pesos to the City Government of Tagum last July 21, 2014. Mayor Allan L. Rellon received the cheque from Mr. Jude Tiongco, the Senior Vice President for Operation and head of the Human Resources Office of St. Peter Life Plans, who also checked the progress of their “adopted” site inside the sprawling park located in the rural barangay of San Agustin, some kilometers away from downtown Tagum. The latest cheque hand-over is part of the three-year environmental partnership amounting to 3.8 million pesos, which will be allocated by the said private firm that will be used for the development of the Botanical Park. A portion of the said botanical park is named “Soul Trees Forest” in recognition to the local government’s partnership with St. Peter Life Plans, which now enters into its second year. During the turn-over, the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer headed by its chief Engr. Elias Ragos also presented to the local chief executive and to Mr. Tiongco the recent developments in the Botanical Park as well as the future plans that will be incorporated in the park. The 50-hectare San Agustin Botanical Park, said to be the showcase of the local government’s greening efforts, is envisioned to be fully-developed by year 2020.
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p o s t s c r i p t
It takes a City
he second semester of 2014 is a season of harvest for Tagum City. The achievement garnered by the City Government of Tagum is a solid manifestation of the local government’s excellent implementation of its programs that directly impact the community. While the official stand of the local government on awards and recognitions is that it is just secondary to the main purpose of serving the Tagumenyo public, these awards highlight the caliber of the local government in implementing programs and projects that are at par with the national, if not global, standards. The local government under the leadership of Mayor Allan L. Rellon has been very vocal that the awards garnered by the city are not for a singular entity, but a collective victory of the Tagumenyo people. With every trophy or medallion, every Tagumenyo should be proud that he or she has contributed to what can only be described as Tagumpay ng Tagum.
In time for the Holiday season, the City Government of Tagum, through the initiative of Mayor Rellon, has conducted a series of testimonial and thanksgiving programs to various sectors of this city. This was the administration’s way of giving the credit to where it is due: the grassroots workers and frontline service providers who are considered as the wind beneath the wings of the 10-point development agenda of the Rellon Administration dubbed as the EAGLE WINGS Program. From day care workers to literacy workers, from youth leaders to barangay functionaries—everyone takes part in shaping Tagum to what it is today. But as how a cliche puts it, this is just only the beginning. With our cooperation, coupled with our unparalleled dedication and unwavering commitment, we still have a long way to go. Our work never stops in truly realizing our vision for our beloved City of Tagum. Indeed, it takes a city to build a great city. Let’s sustain this trend and together, let’s exclaim: Tagum, Tagumpay!
ABOUT THE COVER
Pro-people governance has always been the brand of leadership of the Rellon administration. Under the EAGLE WINGS Program of Mayor Allan Rellon, the implementation of extensive programs on social services made this administration closer to the people, especially those who are in dire need. Photo by Kelvin Palermo.
TAGUM CITY MAGAZINE
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IS THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM . IT IS PUBLISHED BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE CITY INFORMATION OFFICE WITH OFFICE AT ROTARY PARK, PIONEER AVENUE, TAGUM CITY. ALL ARTICLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PROPERTIES OF CIO TAGUM UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME AT TAGUMCITYINFORMATION2011@GMAIL.COM. THIS MAGAZINE CAN ALSO BE VIEWED AND DOWNLOAD ED AT WWW.TAGUMCITY.GOV.PH
EDITORIAL BOARD &STAFF
GLEIZA B. DELGADO MARY CHRISTMA RICHI D. GULLE Writers
Mayor ALLAN L. RELLON, DPA Chairman City Administrator GIOVANNI L. RELLON, MDMG Vice Chairman Editor-in-Chief EDWIN B. LASQUITE, MM Public Information Officer III LOUIE BRYAN M. LAPAT Head Writer
LEUNIELON A. TIMOGAN Photographer RIC KEVIN L. CONDE Layout Artist and Graphics Design KELVIN Z. PALERMO Videographer KAREEN Q. GOMEZ MARFREN A. CERONA MISAEL PIZARRO III Logistical Support
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AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
National Awards galing pook award
PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION FOR HOUSING PROGRAM The City of Tagum is recognized for its outsanding achievements in curtaining the activities of professional squatters and squatting syndicates, thereby enhancing its capacity to address housing and urban development concerns. Awarded last January 26, 2015 at Coconut Palace, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
Awarded to the City Government of Tagum for its innovation and excellence in local governance through the Night Market Program. The Galing Pook Foundation conferred the award last October 21, 2014 in Manila
SPECIAL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
best peso in the philippines
IN LITERACY
The City of Tagum is recognized for its outstanding accomplishment in literacy development and for having sustained and improved the literacy programs and projects after winning the Hall of Fame Award. Awarded by the National Literacy Coordinating Council last September 19, 2014 in Baguio City
Awarded to the City Government of Tagum for excellence in employment facilitation by the Department of Labor and Employment last October 20, 2014 in General Santos City
MOST BUSINESSFRIENDLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT (finalist)
BEST E-GOV CUSTOMER EMPOWERMENT (finalist)
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognized the City Government of Tagum for exemplifying commendable initiatives, good governance, trade investments promotion and local economic development. Said recognition was awarded last October 22, 2014 in Manila
Awarded during the 2nd Jesse Robredo Awards for Excellence in Information Communication Technology for Good Governance last December 20, 2013 at the DILG Central Office in Quezon City
regional Awards nutrition green banner award
Awarded to Tagum City in recognition of the City Nutrtion Committee’s exemplary performance in managing the nutrition program of the city, thereby contributed to the improvement of the nutritional status of its constituents.
gawad kalasag
The National Disaster Coordinating Council awards the City Government of Tagum in appreciation of its invaluable efforts in implementing long term disaster mitigation projects in areas of infrastructure and environmental concerns to address current and evolving-economic vulnerabilities of the people.
Tagum,Tagumpay! w w w . t a g u m c i t y . g o v . p h