Pacquiao pushes for creation of new town in Sarangani

Pacquiao pushes for creation of new town in Sarangani

General Santos City – Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao is pushing for the creation of a new municipality in Saragani which will be composed of at least 11 barangays carved out from Malungon town.

Pacquiao and Flor Limpin, provincial director of Department of the Interior and Local Government, agreed to form a technical working group that will facilitate the submission of needed requirements for the creation of the proposed municipality, to be called Malandag, to Congress for approval.

Limpin said Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino and Vice-Mayor Erwin Asgapo had earlier asked Pacquiao to fast track the passage of the bill that will seek the creation of Malandag that will be composed of barangays Malandag, Datal Tampal, Altae, Alkikan, Kibala, Malabod, Blaan, Datal Batong, Datal Bila, Consolacion and Nagpan.

Limpin said the technical working group will assist Pacquiao in the passage of the House bill, which is now under evaluation by appropriate committees in Congress.

Local officials had first initiated the creation of new municipality way back in 1995 through the initiative of former Vice-Governor Felipe Constantino who had already worked out the budgetary requirements for the conduct of a plebiscite.

The late Rep. Erwin L. Chiongbian then filed the bill in Congress for the creation of new municipality until it reached the Senate Committee on Local Governance which was then under the chairmanship of the late Senator Robert Barbers. However, the bill was not enacted.

Limpin said Pacquiao had promised to allocate P3 million for the conduct of a plebiscite for the creation of new municipality.

The League of Mayors of the Philippines in Sarangani has already passed a resolution requesting Pacquiao to fast track the creation of a new Malandag town that will add to the existing towns of the province– Malapatan, Alabel, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum.

Pacquiao, DILG, LMP bats for new Sarangani town

A harder ‘push’ toward Malandag town's creation - From left, Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino of Malungon, LMP chapter president and Glan town Mayor Victor James Yap and Rep. Manny Pacquiao's chief of staff Brend Evangelio converse about the latest development on the proposed creation of Brgy. Malandag as new municipality of Sarangani, following a recently held League of the Municipal Mayors in the Philippines (Sarangani Chapter) monthly gathering held in New La Union, Maitum town. The league of mayors also passed a resolution that humbly requests the honorable Sarangani Rep. Pacquiao to resolutely push in Congress, the above stated undertaking. (Isagani Palma/ Mio-MALUNGON).

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Pacquiao, DILG, LMP bats for new Sarangani town
by ISAGANI P. PALMA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Sarangani lone district Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is now exerting more efforts and funding for the passage of a propose bill in Congress that will validate the separation of Brgy. Malandag from its mother Municipality of Malungon in Sarangani Province.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director Flor Limpin, in a recently held meeting at the congressman’s mansion here, said Pacquiao designated a task group to tuck within a very limited phase, all of required documents he (Pacquiao) needs to fast track the propose house bill in Congress in the soonest possible time.

He said included in the indoor conference that was organized through the active support of Malungon town Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo, is likewise the formation of a separate working group that will assist the Congressman in working out for the bill, which is now under thorough evaluation by the House of the Representatives’ search and review division.

Asgapo has been working hard with the group with a say-so from Pacquiao, and direct guidance from Malungon town Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino.

The Local Government of Malungon has initiated the creation of Brgy. Malandag into a municipality since 1995. This was first brought up during the time of the late former Vice Governor Felipe Constantino, who firstly appropriated the much needed funding for the creation of the municipality. This includes the budgetary needs for the conduct of a plebiscite.

It can be recalled that such proposition was first enacted by former Congressman Erwin L. Chiongbian until it reached the Senate Committee on Local Governance which was then under the chairmanship of the late Senator Robert Barbers, but it has remained stagnant as to this day despite of the fact that a Senate Committee hearing has been already made and have resulted positively – “in favor of its creation.”

In a brief statement, Asgapo who was seemed to be wary of being misquoted said “I just did what my mayor and the honorable congressman wanted me to do so. Nothing more - nothing less.” However he revealed that one among the priority programs of the locally tasked group is to settle the conflicted boundary lines that lay between Brgy. Malandag and the neighboring city of General Santos.

“Actually if in case of a referendum, the Congressman has even assured us a P3 million-worth budget for a plebiscite,” Asgapo added.

In June this year, the League of Mayors in the Philippines (Sarangani Chapter) also unanimously approved resolution no. 2A74, requesting for Rep. Pacquiao to fast track the creation of a new Malandag town to supplement the other seven (7) comprising municipalities of the Sarangans namely: Glan, Malapatan, Alabel, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum.

Mayors said the resolution that urge Pacquiao to facilitate and expedite the creation of the 11 barangays of Malungon, Sarangani Province into a Municipality of Malandag, has been emphasized in accordance with the policy of the state that a local government unit could be created, provided either by law enacted by Congress in the case of province, city, municipality, or any other political subdivision, or by ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Panlalalwigan or Sangguniang Panglungsod concerned in the case of the barangay located within its territorial jurisdiction, subject to such limitation as requirements prescribed by law.

LMP believes that the creation of the 11 barangays of Malungon Sarangani Province namely: Malandag, Datal Tampal, Altae, Alkikan, Kibala, Malabod, Blaan, Datal Batong, Datal Bila, Consolation and Nagpan into a municipality to be known as the Municipality of Malandag ,will enhance the prompt delivery of basic services to the public which is the primordial consideration of the state.

This includes the verifiable indicators of viability and projected capacity of the abovementioned barangays to provide services such as income, population and land area for its conversion into a municipality has been already fully satisfied with.

During the August-held LMP meeting in Maitum, Pacquiao’s chief of staff Brend Evangelio has likewise assured both LMP chapter president Victor James Yap and Constantino that all of needed papers and documents are now ‘intact’ for the said undertaking in Congress. (MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

A stronger union, education to progress

A stronger union, education to progress - Municipal Councilor Teody M. Padernilla, committee on education chairman speaks on the importance of education and unity before the attending teachers of various schools, several hundred students and local residents in Brgy. Poblacion amid the Monday (September 15) celebration of the Barangay's 45th Founding Anniversary in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (JoJo Gocotano - MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Sarangan Leaders - From left, Brgy. Capt. Miguel Baculna Jr. and Mun. Councilor Teody Padernilla, with Provincial Board Members Elmer De Peralta, Cesar Nallos, Virgilio Tobias and Brgy. Kag. Monard Galgo gesture on stage as students from different local institutions perform at the foreground during the Monday (Sept. 15) 45th Founding celebration of Brgy. Poblacion dubbed as "On goal, one direction towards progress" in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Local-based students feature the ‘Singkil,’ a famous Muslim dance of the Maranaos in the Southern Philippine Islands on Monday (Sept. 15), amid the celebration of the 45th –year Foundation Anniversary of Brgy. Poblacion billed as “One goal, one direction towards progress,” in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma/Mio-Malungon, Sarangani Province).

Installation of new PAGASA devices

Installation of new PAGASA devices –From left, MDRRMO Keen Pacheco pose with the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) team lead d by its Hydrologist, Gine Nievares (2nd-R), together with members of the Provincial disaster risk reduction management office (PDRRMO) during a courtesy visit to Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino (center) in Malungon, Sarangani Province. The visit was in line to Pagasa’s proposal of putting up additional early warning and monitoring devices in five selected villages to mitigate the occurrence of natural calamities in the municipality. (MDRRMO photos).

"Father and Son"

"Father and Son" - Pilit na sinasariwa sa harap ng mga mamamahayag ni PCI Jaime Tabucon, hepe ng Malungon Police Station, ang ilan sa mga pinaniniwalaang naganap na humantong sa pagkasaksak-patay ng sariling anak sa ama sa Brgy. Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma/ mio).

The father’s killer? – Ang 31 anyos na si Joselito Dianon, na kusa namang sumuko sa otoridad matapos mapatay dahil sa tindi ng pananaksak ang 57-anyos na amang si Filemon sa Brgy Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani Province. (see related story captioned: Ama pinagsasaksak ng anak, Patay! (Isagani Palma/ MIO-Malungon, Sarangani).

We are proud of you!

We are proud of you! - Dr. Reyian Mae Constantino-Martinez, daughter of Mayor Bong Constantino pose for a memento in front of a huge tarpaulin posted by her father and the rest of exulting Family members right at the municipal hall after she passed the August 2014 Physician Licensure Examination. Big CONGRATZ partner! GOD speed! cle atz

Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino takes a caring hold of grandchild Ryle, as the latter's mom and the chief executive's daughter Reyian Mae, gestures during a recent visit in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Just recently, the Constantino Family rejoice and posted a huge tarpaulin for Dr. Reyian Mae Constantino-Martinez right at the Municipal Hall for passing the August 2014 Physician Licensure Examination.

Unicef donates LGU, P2.6M-worth supplies for kids...

Early Christmas from UNICEF, Philippines – Local government officials, dep’t heads, employees and Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino (2nd – front row right) pose for souvenir Monday (Sept. 8), during ceremonial turnover of the P2.6M-worth donation of Unicef for young school learners in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Also in photo are (L-R) Municipal Councilors Mariano ‘Jun’ Escalada, Joseph Calanao, Teody Padernilla and Benjamin Santos. (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Unicef’s ‘gift’ to broods – Photo shows Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino and MSWDO Mildred Dela Cuesta during symbolic turnover of 66 pieces Unicef Philippines-donated packs of various toys, kits, story books, catalogs and other educational materials, including some kitchen utensils, furniture sets, school chairs and tables, medical instruments, and etc on Monday (Sept. 8) in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Ma. Cecilia Arcadio, Unicef’s ECD and education section officer, said the delivery is part of Unicef’s mission, and in brace of the Constantino administration’s intention to fortify the local education system. (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Unicef-donated packs – Mayor Bongbong Constantino takes a look into some fractions of the 66 pieces huge packs of assorted school materials worth P2.6 million that were turned-over Monday (September 8) by UNICEF Philippines in Malungon, Sarangani Province. With Constantino (front right) is Mun. Councilor Mariano ‘Jun’ Escalada and a number of MSWDO personnel. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – UNICEF Philippines, an agency of the United Nations that is keen of serving the world’s children, turned-over Monday (Sept. 8) various kind of educational materials and other related provisions in support to the local government’s thrust of strengthening more its children’s development program here in this municipality. 

Ma. Cecilia Dajoyag-Arcadio, ECD officer of Unicef’s education section, said the donation compose of story books, toys, minor medical instruments, kits, catalogs, kitchen utensils, chairs, tables and furniture sets will be distributed to the different pre-schools of the comprising 31 barangays of this town. “This is part of our intensive campaign for the good of every Filipino child,” she added.

The local Social Welfare head Mildred Dela Cuesta, said the supplies, all properly contained in 66 huge plastic packs worth P11, 789.00 each, were properly received by no less Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino and other municipal officials right after the Monday-held flag raising ceremony. 

“Actually, after thorough assessment, we have already submitted our honorable mayor a list of would be beneficiaries coming from the different comprising local barangays,” Dela Cuesta said. 

Meanwhile, Dela Cuesta modestly rectified a recently published news article by a Manila-based national daily, in relation to the recently held turnover of some P2.3 million funding to the local government, by representatives of Early Child Care and Development Council (ECCD), for the construction of an “urbanely-designed” daycare center in Brgy. Poblacion. 

The MSWD officer has clarified that the budget was provided not by the Social Welfare and Services department as reported, but by ECCD itself, in its noble aim to assist the local government of its desire to construct more learning facilities. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Tungod sa CCTV, 6-m’yembro sa ‘salisi gang’ sikop!

Ang bag-ong hepe sa kapulisan nga si P/Chief Insp. Jaime Tabucon samtang nagahatag detalye sa media kung paano nabalhug sa presinto ang mga suspetsadong m'yembro sang isa ka organisado nga grupo sang store thieves sa banwa sang Malungon, Sarangani Province. (MIO/ippalma).

Makita nga nagapanabon sang ila nawong samtang naga-pakunokuno nga tulog ang mga babaye nga m'yembro sang isa ka grupo nga kuno halin sa Digos, Davao Del Sur nga nadakpan nga nagapangawat sa Mack'n Jay Minimart sa sini nga banwa.

Minimart thieves – DAKO ang pagpaninguha nanday (L-R) Mico Salundares, 28-anyos, kag Victor Gonzales, 44, pareho taga-Digos, Davao Del Sur, nga matago ang ila hulagway sa mga taga-media samtang yara sila sa sulod presohan sadtong adlaw nga Lunes (Sept. 11). Ang duha matud pa, upod sang apat pa ka mga babaye nga amo ang ginatudlo nga nagpangkawti sang pipila ka mga baligya sa Mack and Jay Minimart sa Malungon, Sarangani Province. Matud pa ni P/Chief Insp. Jaime Tabucon, bag-ong hepe sang Malungon Police Station, nga una na nga nakuhaan sang CCTV sadtong mga nagliligad nga inadlaw ang grupo gani madali na ini sila nakila sa ila pagbalik para mangnawat liwat sa amo ng establisimiento nga ginapanagiyahan ni 1st Mun. Councilor, Mariano ‘Jun’ Escalada sa ginasiling nga munisepyo. see attach story. (MIO-ippalma).

Tabucon, bagong PNP chief ng Malungon

A plaque of merit and gratitude – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino receives a plaque of gratitude and appreciation from outgoing station chief PCI Lurobe Rojo (2nd –R) through Sarangani police director, P/Sr. Supt. Emmanuel Peralta, for all the support and active participation of the Local Government Unit to the local police force during his (Rojo) over three-year stint as COP of Malungon town in Sarangani Province. Left is the upcoming station chief of police, P/ Chief Insp. Jaime Tabucon, who was then, assigned as chief of the investigation and detection management branch of Sarangani Police Provincial Command. (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

New Police Station Chief – Malungon town Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino silently observes from a distance as P/Sr. Supt. Emmanuel B. Peralta, Sarangani police director, turns over the flag of command and responsibilities Thursday (Sept. 4) to upcoming Police Station Chief, PCI Jaime Tabucon during a simple turnover ceremony at the municipal gymnasium in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Left is the outgoing chief of police, PCI Lurobe Rojo with SPPO-PHRDD, P/ Chief Insp. Benrietto Villamor. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani - Bumuhos ang mga parangal ng alkalde para sa pinalitang hepe ng Malungon Police Station na si P/Chief Insp. Lorube Rojo sa isinagawang simple ngunit madamdaming turnover of command ceremony sa loob ng Municipal Gymnasium noong araw ng Huwebes (Septembre 4) sa naturang bayan. 

Matapos ang mahigit sa 3 taon na panunungkulan ay pinalitan si Rojo ni P/Chief Insp. Jaime Tabucon na dating hepe ng investigation and detection management branch ng Sarangani Police Provincial Command.

Ayon kay Constantino, maliban sa pagiging pinakamatagal na naging hepe ng pulisya sa naturang estasyon, nagbigay din umano si Rojo ng malaking ‘impact’ di lamang sa larangan ng pagpanatili ng peace and order, kundi maging sa pagpairal ng propesyonalismo at pagbigay-respeto sa hanay ng mga nasa mababang rangko ng nasabing organisasyon. 

“I have appreciated much of his command and the shared professionalism in dealing with the lower ranks. Salamat gid sa tanan nga pagsakripisyo mo P/ Chief Insp. Rojo, kay tungod nga daw wala gid ako nagka-problema sang dako sa idalum sang imo liderato bilang hepe sang pulisya diri sa akon banwa sang Malungon. In fact under your stint, our municipality has been recognized as one of the leading peaceful towns in the entire province of Sarangani,” ani Constantino. 

“Kag sa aton bag-o nga liderato sang PNP, it is not my habit to interfere in the operation of the organization. So hopefully, under the new watch, we could able to maintain or even go beyond what is being expected by our peace loving citizens. Sa panig ko naman ay madali akong kausapin kung para lang sa kapakanan ng mga taongbayan. But I would just like to remind everybody that – I don’t want scalawags in uniform,” ang dagdag pa ni Constantino.

Matatandaang na sa ilalim ng liderato ni Rojo ay nagawang buwagin ng PNP ang ilan sa mga sendikatong grupo ng pagnanakaw, carnapping, hold-up at maging ang paghuli ng mga long-wanted criminals na nasa talaan ng otoridad. 

Samantala, nangako naman ang bagong OIC-Chief na si Tabucon na gagawin nito ang lahat upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at mataas na respito ng mga mamamayan sa Philippine National Police.

Bilang isang ‘rose from rank’ na opisyal ng pulisya, isa rin si Tabucon sa mga tinagurian na ‘walang bahid’ na alagad ng batas mula ng mapasok ito at manungkulan para sa kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan. (Isagani P. Palma/ Mio-Malungon).

Mindanao Beauties

Mindanao Beauties – Aspirants to the upcoming September search for Mutya ng Mindanao ’14 pose for a memento shot with Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino during a group tour-visit Thursday (Sept. 4) in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Winner in this prestigious event will be the officiate candidate in the upcoming Miss COUNTIES beauty pageant, in 2015. (JoJo Gocotano-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Miss Surigao Del Sur and Davao City candidate to the upcoming search for Mutya ng Mindanao ’14 this September, gesture as the group pays a Thursday (August 4) courtesy visit to Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bongbong’ Constantino in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Let us "Unite for Children"

Let us "unite" for the good of our children" - Left, UNICEF's Education Section (ECD Officer) Ma. Cecilia Dajoyag-Arcadio, with MSWDO Mildred Dela Cuesta, takes time of listening to Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino about the local government's caring programs for children during a recent visit, next to the delivery of some P2.6M UNICEF-donated toys, learning materials, chairs and furniture that will be distributed to various day care centers in the comprising 31 barangays of Malungon town in Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

‘Ness’ visits Sarangani league

‘Ness’ visits Sarangani league - Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bongbong’Constantino (left) enjoys a healthy discussion with former movie actress-turned Philippine Councilors League nat’l president Alma Moreno and Sarangani PCL chapter head Atty. Cyril John Rustico G. Yap during a late last week visit in Malungon town. (JoJo Gocotano- MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

VM Asgapo ‘officiates’ civil marriage

VM Asgapo ‘officiates’ civil marriage - Young couple John Mar Magoling and Irish Gasones exchange vow in a simple yet wholeheartedly shared civil matrimony that was, in lieu of Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino who was on official travel, solemnized by the acting OIC-Mayor, Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo mid last week in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Jojo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).