Huge crowd join SLANG Fest '13 in Mal'ngan

The tribesman behind  – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino gesture with confidence as he awaits the arrival of tribal chieftains to join the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18,) annual celebration of 6th SLANG Festival ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu ako” in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Also in photo are municipal councilor Benjamin Santos (seated-L) and the event organizer and municipal Assessors head, Honnelyne J. Guilley-Toyogon (right).  For more information, visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Leaders of the high winds – Clad in different tribal attires, Blaan and Taga-Kaulo tribal chieftains’ convene Sunken Arena on November 16-18, 2013 to join Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino, LGU-officials, visitors and the people of Mal’ngan celebrate the 3-day revelry of the 6th  SLANG Fest ’13 in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

‘Proud to be Blaan’ – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino, clad in colourful  Blaan DATU attire, welcomes the arrival of ‘leaders from the high winds’ during culmination of the three-day 6th SLANG Fest ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu Ako (II)” on November 16-18, 2013 at the municipal Sunken Arena in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE). 

Street Dance – A student-contingent of Malungon Sped National High School drops the ground as she portrays theatrical part of a tribal dance during the street dancing competition which highlighted the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18, 2013) 6th SLANG Fest ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu ako”  in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORATION OFFICE).

Pride of the tribes – Newly crowned ‘Miss Manenggeya na Libun ’13 (meaning beautiful girl) Thelma Mae Trazona of Brgy. JP Laurel (seated 2nd from right) gestures with (L-R) 1st runner-up Irish Manialon of Brgy. Poblacion, 3rd runner-up Mary Jade Manambay of Panamin and 2nd runner-up Aubrey Sano of Brgy. Banahaw during a souvenir shot with Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino (center), Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo (3rd-L) and the tribal chieftains amid the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18, 2013) 6th  SLANG Fest ’13 in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Mal’ngan is my people’s home – Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo fervently denies the presence of other tribal communities in Malungon town except to those of the Blaan and Tagakaulo tribes, while Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino thoughtfully listens amid the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18) celebration of the 6th SLANG Festival ’13 in Malungon, Sarangani Province. For more information, visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – A huge crowd of thousands come to join the three-day (November 16-18) celebration of the 6th SLANG Fest ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu ako (II),” here in the said town.

Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino said the event was a presentation of various cultural values that was figuratively designed to revitalize younger generation of their ethnic practices, traits, cultural traditions, and the significance of thy father’s - ancestral lands.

“Actually, Slang is like a continues practice of ethnic barter trading, socializing, and conflict resolution among different indigenous tribes. For this will remind the new broods of the Blaan and Tagakaulo tribes, and even the emigrants as well, of our cultural history so that respect to the forebears and the good examples they have shown shall always be remembered and valued, as a people,” said Constantino, who is half-blooded Blaan. 

The event organizer Honnelyne J. Guilley-Toyogon, said the occasion was stressed through a series of horse fights in its opening salvo on November 16, followed by a cultural presentation and search for new ‘Manenggeya na Libun 2013’ (meaning beautiful girl) on November 17 at the municipal gymnasium. 

Chosen winners on Sunday night's beauty pageant are all bonafide members of the Blaan and Tagakaulo clans, said Toyogon. She identified the newly selected beauty queens for 2013 as: Ms. Manenggeya na Libun - Thelma Mae Trazona of Brgy. JP Laurel; 1st runner-up Irish Manialon of Brgy. Poblacion; 2nd runner up Aubrey Sano of Banahaw; and 3rd runner-up Mary Jade Manambay of Panamin. 

The November 18 inaugural program was highlighted with colorful street dancing competition participated by hundreds of students-contingent from different schools in the locality.

Toyogon said major cash prizes were awarded to Banate National High School, Malandag National High School and Malungon Sped Elementary School, which bagged all of three primary prices that were intended for the said event.

She said first prize winner (BNHS) has received P50, 000 in cash; P30, 000 for 2nd prize (MNHS) and P20, 000 for the third prize (MSES) winner. 

Other ethnic sports presentation such ‘Sambuno’ or otherwise known as the tribal wrestling were also held at the sunken arena sports ground. 

Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo, in a message, has lucidly emphasized the novelty of the Blaan and Tagakaulo minorities in Mal’ngan, as he vehemently denied any existence of the Kalagan tribe in town. “All that are here are nothing less but the Blaans and the Kaulo tribe where I myself belong,” Asgapo said.

He said the (Slang) event also serves to remind everyone that even with the influx of settlers and the massive expansion of progress and development ... peaceful co-existence flourishes in the part of the Lumads and its brother lowlanders here in town. 

Meanwhile, Toyogon said one of the main purpose of the celebration is to unveil the town’s rich cultural areas, scenic views, and other different tourist destinations. 

Among those is the Nanima Watershed that laces the foot of Kalumbarak Skyline, which is a clear vista to one of Mindanao’s most famous volcanoes - the proud Mt. Matutum. Municipal Tourist Council officials said Mal’ngan is also a habitat to some 91 endemic flora and fauna, and a home to the World’s smallest monkey, the Philippine Tarsier, whose population in the area is said to be denser as compared to Bohol. Tarsier is considered a sacred creature by the indigenous peoples of Malungon town. 

Other destinations here are the Pacman Farm, Villareal Garden Resort, Busagan Falls, the wide-stretched banana and pineapple plantations, and the moon-eyed pile of the town’s sweet Golden Mango farmlands. 

“This merriment will remind all and sundry, that atop the hilly portion of Sarangani  dwells a promising group of indigenous entrepreneurs who are living in friendly culture - and a place for peace and nature lovers,” said Constantino. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Slang Festival 2013

 

MALUNGON, Sarangani –A huge crowd of thousands are expected to join the three-day celebration of the 6th – year SLANG FEST '13 that will commence Friday (November 16-18) here in town. Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino said the festivity is being held annually to continue the tribal practice of barter trading, socializing and conflict resolution among different indigenous tribes in Mal'ngan, which is the only landlocked town in Sarangani Province. “This is to remind our people that even with the influx of settlers, peaceful co-existence flourishes in our municipality up to these days. And that even us Blaans and the Kaulos, in unity and cooperation of brother lowlanders, could be consistent flag bearers of development and progress in the entire province,” said Constantino, who is a half-blooded Blaan. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Sarangani town sets P38M AIP for 2014

All out support – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino briefs members of the Association of the Barangay Captains the annual amortization of P11 million for the newly acquired fleet of heavy equipments, including the releases for various projects set under the P38M Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for CY 2014, during the recently held Municipal Development Council meeting in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).



Hope CARRIERS – Upper photo shows a fraction of the P39 million-worth fleet of brand new heavy equipment that was acquired by the local government through a loan process with Land Bank in 2009, while inset are the two dump trucks that are components of the abovementioned fleet that were lately delivered in August this year due to alleged inconsistencies in the part of the 'first' supplier. The local BAC chair Dr. Rafaida Garay-Hernandez said the delay has prompted for the LGU to forfeit the Manila-based supplier's performance bond amounting to P7, 750M.  (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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A success story:

MALUNGON, Sarangani – With remaining two months more before the end of this year, the local government now gears for the implementation of different development projects in all of its 31 comprising barangays, including the amortization of P11M for the newly purchased P39M-worth fleet of heavy equipment.

Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino was cheered with a round of applause Tuesday last week by members of the Association of the Barangay Captains (ABC), local government officials and dep’t heads amid the ongoing October 2013 Municipal Development Council meeting, due to the local government’s successful acquisition on August 27, of the long-awaited two units of 10-wheeler dump trucks which completed the fleet of heavy equipment that was purchased by the local government in 2009.

Local Bids and Award committee chair Dr.  Rafaida Garay-Hernandez, said the arrival of the two Daewoo trucks was a manifestation of the LGU’s firmness to take back what are due to its people.

She said because of the delay of delivery, the LGU was also forced to incur the cost of damages and forfeit the supplier’s performance bond in favor of the local government.

She said the procurement was made through SB resolution no. 10-2009-11, which authorized Mayor Constantino  to loan with Land Bank of the Philippines, the purchase of one set of brand new heavy equipment composed of a backhoe, payloader, vibratory compactor, grader and two units of dump trucks amounting to more or less, P40 million.

Hernandez said such inconsistency has pushed for the local government to terminate its contract with the company dealer on May 04, 2010. She said the undelivered items represent about 10 percent of the total amount of contract that was entered into by the supplier with the local government.

“Earlier, we informed the supplier that the LGU would be proceeding against their performance bond amounting to P7.750M, including the damages incurred while in time that the LGU was scouting for a replacement of the goods that it failed to deliver. We also cautioned the supplier that their company will likewise be made liable for the excess cost for such similar items that the LGU has procured, in lieu of the undelivered heavy equipments as constituted under R.A. 9184 or otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, but to no avail,” Dr. Hernandez explained.

Thus, on June 28, 2011, Allan Antonio of the Manager’s Claim Department, Housing and Insurance Group has informed Constantino that a review of the documents shows favorable action for the settlement of the claim against the performance bond of the supplier.

On February 6, 2012, Conception J. Hernandez, OIC, OSVP, of the Insurance Group, also wrote the LGU that they could not favorably grant the claim “considering that there are no contestable grounds relative to the default of the supplier for government restrictions is considered as a force majeure.”

On contrary, Mayor Constantino submitted a motion for consideration of the decision dated February 6, 2012, and beseech that the claim of the local government against the bond be approved. On June 18, 2012, Constantino received a letter that the additional documents submitted by the LGU on the request for reconsideration was already submitted for inclusion and evaluation.

Reports stressed on January 10, 2013, GSIS reaffirmed the default of the supplier, and that on March 21, 2013, Constantino wrote JROG Marketing to deliver the 2 units of dump trucks which during the previous years, have caused peoples’ misconceptions and was even used as black propaganda by Constantino’s political foes on course of the ongoing election campaign period in the recently concluded May 2013 elections.

“What we did was not a display of preeminence but just a sort of discipline against those who would like to take advantage of the hard earned taxes of our poor land tillers. Somehow, this will caution others who would like to put us down,” Constantino, in a huddle of newsmen, said.

Hernandez said the local government gained over P7M on the forfeited bond, including some P.3M as supplier’s payment on incurred substantial losses in the part of the local government.
 Meanwhile, none of the attending members of the ABC tendered opposition in the proposed annual amortization for the new set of heavy equipments amounting to P11 million, that will be taken from the P38 million Annual Investment Plan next year.

“I am certain that all of the 31 punong barangays got it right, how important the brand new heavy equipment fleet is and what contribution it could able to provide in terms of progress and development - specifically in far flung villages,” said Constantino, as he lays the LGU-designed budget plan based on the number of residents and area of every comprising barangay in the municipality.

He said enclosed with next year’s arrangement is the P10 million LGU support for barangay infrastructure development projects to be equitably distributed in all comprising barangays, and another P10 million counterpart fund for upcoming local and national funded projects.

“We must be ready always with our counterpart fund kay wala man kita kabalo kung san-o mag-abot ang mga nagkadaiya nga ayuda nga proyekto halin sa aton national government (because national projects usually pull in, unexpectedly),” said Constantino in a vernacular.

He said the local government also allocated P4M for its Malungon-wide agro-forestation and reforestation project, including the face-lifting of its public terminal amounting to P3 million.

Last year the Constantino administration, through the support of SOCOTECO II, has able to fully energize the whole municipality as well as its far flung villages of Panamin, Lutay and Upper Lumabat that are located at the north border of Sarangani and Davao Del Sur.

Constantino said with his priority projects this year is the construction of covered courts in the last two villages that have not able to avail the project, and the opening of more farm-to-market roads. “The opening of more roads must be prioritized to help our poor Blaan and Tagakaulo brothers in the delivery of their farm produce,” he said.

“I am now strengthening my programs on health, education, and the expansion of roads even at the utmost villages to suffice the need of poor farmers and the common tao, as well. Recently, the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the local government, also installed a P2.8M-worth agricultural tramline system in Datal Batong to assist our upland farmers in hauling their farm produce,” Constantino added.
The scheduled AIP for various barangays here are as folllows: Malandag-P911, 838; Poblacion-P780, 764: Tamban-P581, 140; Malalag Cogon-P403, 108; Upper Mainit-P391, 624; Banate-P391, 456; Lutay-P370, 307; San Roque-P352, 703; Nagpan-336, 406; Upper Biagan-P328, 085; JP Laurel-P311, 169; Datal Tampal-P298, 054; San Miguel-P293, 222; Talus-P289, 852; Malungon Gamay-P289, 646; Atlae-P287, 239; Kinabalan-P281, 944; Datal Batong-P271, 629; Kiblat-P251, 825; Ampon-P248, 799; Upper Lumabat-P248, 249; Kawayan-P237, 935; Lower Mainit-P299, 820; Panamin-P221, 637; Bo. Blaan-P214, 073; Alkikan-P206, 853; San Juan-P201, 902; Malabod-P200, 664; Banahaw-P200, 342; Datal Bila-P199, 564 and Kibala-P167, 591. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).