MALUNGON,Sarangani - “I know I had given my all in a desire to leave a legacy of solid foundation. A marked path for our young's to follow, and the incoming leaders to pursue after I stepped down from my administration. A legacy that we, people of Malungon, have jointly molded. Because of you, we have able to attain our dreams with these changes and positive surroundings, and the pride of being a true Malungonians.”
Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bongbong’ Constantino, a once ‘black sheep’ and vagabond son of Malungon town-turned executive chief of the local government stressed this touching phrase amid his terminal and final State of the Municipal Address (SOMA) that highlighted the culmination of Malungon town’s five-day 46th Foundation Anniversary celebration in Sarangani Province.
The report was delivered before the presence of ranking provincial and municipal government officials led by no less Rep. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao, Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon, the congressman’s better half and Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao, representatives of various Nat’l-based government agencies, dignified guests, and over a thousand people Wednesday (July 15), in Suken Arena, here.
“As I bid goodbye, this will be the concluding report that I will be presenting in the last Foundation Anniversary Message of my government. And it is for you my beloved people of Malungon to rate what we or I have done, and to judge my legacy of being a leader that will soon be a reminiscence for my constituents to keep in mind. For as to what I have said before, I don’t want to be remembered as a builder of roads and bridges, but of my people’s character… and our young's future,” said Constantino, who stretches utmost gratitude to all of those who've helped in pushing his dreams into reality, that day. (Please see related article captioned: RFC’s Message of Thanks).
EDUCATION:
With noble intention to free his people from a longtime repression caused by poverty, Constantino lifted up the learning system and its facilities in the municipality.
Under its educational program, the LGU, from its then 59 elementary schools and 10 national high schools in 2007, expanded its educational institution into 69 public elementary schools with two satellite schools and 13 integrated schools, with three new openings in the far flung barangays. This is over and above the 10 existing national high schools today. Although its cohort survival is still seems to be low at 69%, it is still higher as compared to the national cohort of 66 percent. College educational assistance for poor but deserving students were also opened, and so of the local government’s Educational assistant Program (EAP) that provides the monetary assistance of P5, 000 to every chosen student, per semester.
As of present time, the LGU totaled a number of 413 student-graduates in diverse technological, vocational and college degree courses to wit, two of which are medical doctors rendering services in the locally-based wellness centers. These two were also assisted by the Provincial government of Sarangani.
Similarly, in coordination with the province and Mindanao State University, the Contantino administration has able to push a total of 48 IP graduates from the college of education. The Capitol had also initially provided teachers to augment the upland schools from cy 2009-12. This includes the workbooks, augmentation of teachers, and other support that was stressed by SMI and the Alcantara Foundation Inc., during the time of then Sarangani Gov. Miguel Alcantara-Dominguez.
AGRICULTURE:
Under his flagship program in Agriculture, Costantino first stabilized and make cure of the town’s perennial problem in banditry, and so of the presence of armed groups in the hinterlands, before pursuing the main core of his mission. Significant issues concerning clan wars were settled, while a much eager thrust had been taken to put a stud in the rising number of outlaws. The initiative put them back under the folds of laws. About 104 highly-profiled outlaws and marijuana plantation protectors have laid arms, and a series of PDEA-led marijuana uprooting operations were made, in brace with local police authorities and the AFP. Peace and development initiatives were given top priority in support to the proposed economic activity, including the massive distribution of farm inputs and the provision of road access (one of which is the establishment of the tramline leading to Atmorok, Datal Batong) in places that can only be reachable in the early days, through horses.
Subsequently, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, various programs were carried out through the Bottoms up Budgeting. The LGU has able to provide farms inputs and implements, including planting materials and post harvest facilities to farmers. Online, the once aimed higher production of rice, corn, high grade vegetables and fruit trees laid to its fulfillment. Livestock and poultry farming had been raised and distributed, including inland fishing. This was seconded by the turning over of covered court buildings, machineries; and equipment from the National Agribusiness Corporation.
Among the primary Agri-related projects include farm to market roads such: (5.3M Upper Lumabat Road, Panamin 2M, road rehab at Datal Bago—3M; Kityan 2.5M, Malinis-Pikong 2.5; line canal and pavement at Columbio, San Roque—2M; dam repair- 1M; Const. & repair of bridges—600T, the MRDP project for the concreting of Poblacion junction to Kalonbarak in the amount of 14M, Malabod road concreting 7M, and of course on the table, but approved at RPAB level is the PRDP Project, through DA and the Provincial Government of Sarangani, the concreting of Malandag Junction to Datal Batong with 15 kilometers and two concrete bridges, the Phase 1 amounting to 169M and the Phase 11 at P115M.
“When all this shall be completed, hopefully before I step down, it will bolster the agriculture production area from Malandag, and its adjacent barangays thereat all the way to Datal Batong. In all these and many-many more, I cannot thank enough Director Amalia Datukan. She has supported this administration in all its efforts in improving the lives of our farmers and the entire agriculture-dependent sector.” Constantino said.
HEALTH:
The LGU has created a team for the weekly “Lingap sa Barangay” every Thursday to bring the delivery of basic services closer to the people. Bold steps had been done to assist individuals in crisis situations or AICS by putting up funds for PhilHealth enrollment, backed by the establishment of the Sentrong Sigla Health Centers and later, Birthing Homes. Consistent access to PhilHealth enrollees later gets a rebate from the capitation fund, earned through PhilHealth use. To institutionalize, the SB passed the Maternal Neonatal Child Health and Nutrition or MNCHN Ordinance.
At present, MHO had registered 26,316 under the NHTS, 250 under SMI-support fund, and 467 under the LGU-paid for a total of 27,033 enrollees. The PhilHealth enrollment increased each year as the budget kept pouring in. The expansion of benefits pushed the LGU to be more aggressive in enrolling its people. Funds from the Provincial Government, SMI, Congressional Fund allocation and NHTS were of great help. The DOH also approved the LPRAP Funds amounting to 900,000.00 for PhilHealth Enrollment, and of course the National Housing Targeting System gave the biggest share of beneficiary enrollment.
Through PhilHealth and by providing services to those listed under the NHTS, the LGU got incentives of P500.00 Per Family Payment Rate or capitation fund. With the operation of Birthing Homes and the use of PhilHealth card, the LGU gets a refund under the maternal care package in the amount of P8,000.00 per delivery. And for the newborn care package for the baby, which includes the newborn screening, the LGU gets additional P1,750.00 per newborn. For every mother and child served in the birthing home, the LGU got P9,750.00. To every enrolled beneficiary, the scheme provided: Avail of ZERO balance billing policy and no out of the pocket expense in health expenditures; Provided financial security for families enrolled to PhilHealth; Savings grew as a result of affordable health care services which in turn, augmented into family expense for education and other basic needs of the family. And because of the MNCHN Ordinance, for as long as the mother completed her ante-natal check-up, she also gets a rebate or incentive after processing all pertinent papers for the said delivery, in the amount of P500.00.
The MHO also gets a refund of P4,000.00 per patient for every positive TB suspect being completely treated for 6 months. In all these, the increased capitation fund and incentives from PhilHealth which is exclusively for use of health services have given the LGU additional revenue that provided funds for other projects or social services. In 2014, the MOOE of the Health Office was reduced by 3 Million. Yet, the increasing collection has able to shoulder the building of a new Public Terminal in Malungon.
In 2015, reduction of MOOE Budget for health was 5 Million. In effect, the LGU has gained additional funds for other projects and services as it reduced its MOOE budget for health without sacrificing the quality of health care and services. This can be shown in terms of Revenue or income earned by the local government.
NUTRITION:
Malungon has been a consistent Nutrition award holder in the province and region. Having awarded with Crown Award at the National level in 2009, and if ever this year’s regional award, the LGU will again be a Crown Banner Awardee representative to the National level. This was earned after winning the outstanding LGU green banner award for three years.
“However, as I always emphasize, the awards are but just an icing to the cake. What is more important is that we have served our people, especially the needy and our most vulnerable sector, the children. In line, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Bethesda Ministries International through Bro. Donald Soriano for all the support in our feeding program, and our malnourished and severely malnourished children,” Constantino said.
SOCIAL SERVICES:
“In 2008, there were only 3,634 pre-school children served. As we pushed further for the program, we are now serving a total of 6,424 pre-school children. Aside from expanding our coverage and innovating mode of delivery through ECCD on Horse, we are very grateful to “Save the Children” for partnering with us in their programs for children,” the chief executive said, as he likewise made mention the assistance from The Kapit Bahay Aralan (KBA) which is a non-center-based ECCD module for pre-school children with component on nutrition, that is sternly implemented in 9 Barangays; Kid’s Shine’s School Health and Nutrition Program with component on Water Sanitation and Hygiene that were implemented in another 6 Barangays; Sponsorship Program at the school level that were implemented in 7 barangays with another one to go, in San Juan.
He also stressed acknowledgement of the great contributions of the DSWD12, through its regional dir. Bai Zorayda Taha and Gemma Rivera, that includes the supplemental feeding program for the ECCD amounting to P6, 841,200. This contains the department’s Pantawid Program, Support to Senior Citizens, Sustainable livelihood programs for 4Ps, construction of a Livelihood and Productivity Training Center, skills training, and the Kalahi CIDSS support project program worth P15m.
Malungon town is now a receiver of a P2.3M-worth National Child Development Center construction project that is now located on a site donated by Congressman Manny Pacquiao in Brgy. Poblacion, and (LGU) has able to assist a number of persons with disabilities in their schooling wherein 3 have graduated while 11 are still ongoing of their studies in college.
The women’s sector has been strengthened with the organization of 81 groups with 4, 548 active members, that were provided with micro-financing projects in the amount of P1, 261, 000.00 which is now with a collection repayment rate of 94.20 percent. For the SOW project, Saguitaris Mines have downloaded P1, 537, 000.00 for livelihood, wherein, there were already 50 beneficiaries who have availed the said project.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
The acquisition of the fleet of heavy equipment has paved way for the local government to open and maintain its road network access up to its farthest barangays. The fleet that was availed through a loan facility is composed of 1 unit bulldozer, 1 unit vibrator/ compactor, 2 units 10-wheeler dump truck, 1 unit grader and a unit of pay loader.
“Before I step down, I am assuring everybody that these shall be fully paid or least, I will be accused of leaving behind loan burden to the incoming mayor of the municipality,” Constantino said.
With this fleet, the LGU has able to stretch further its farm-to-market roads with a 100% access to all of the comprising 31 barangays, in all weather conditions. This includes sitio Danao which is among the town’s most farthest. Because of the road opening, Danao Elementary School has been upgraded into an integrated learning facility that caters up to Grade 8. Adjacent to it, access road has been also opened for the Kanyugan Elem School which is sited some 3 kilometers over Bgry. Tamban.
“These are the things that counts most in governance. That growth must be inclusive, especially for those who thrives in isolated areas,” said Constantino.
Nian also in Tamban is now an integrated school with 2 new 3-classroom buildings for implementation. The same is with Laginan in Lutay with their two new 3-classroom buildings. The LGU had to shell out 1 million in counterpart for the labor in the handling of materials for Laginan, just for the project to drive through.
The mayor also gave gratitude to DepEd Schools Superintendent Isagani Dela Cruz for making priority to the upland schools in the deployment of teacher items. And so to DPWH, for bending a little in accommodating the project in Laginan Integrated School. “Alam nyo po, aabot na po sila sa high school, wala pang DepEd building doon and to think they have a pupil population of 342. Buti na lang napuntahan ni Ms. Donna at Mam Estacio at nabigyan ng P100 thousand worth building from Prime. Ganyan ang sitwasyon ng ating upland schools noon na gradually ay nagawa nating e-develop ...ngayon,” the local chief exec, said.
ON GOVERNANCE:
“I can go on with these various projects now on passing and those sanctioned to be implemented in calendar year 2015 and 2016. In the end, you, the people of Malungon, can judge for yourselves if this administration’s government had been doing what it should,” said Constantino, who, after assuming office, kept with his prerogatives in a clearly delineated thrust.
In 2008, he increased the development fund budget from the mandated 20% to almost double; the 20% P23, 560,392 was up to P40,155,943.
“We caused measures for tightening of belts to have more funds for our development projects. Thus, accountability for good governance, prudent spending and judicious fiscal management earned us the Seal of Good Housekeeping, the Seal of Good Financial Management and the Seal of Good Local Governance,” he added.
This is among the central requirements for Bottom Up Budgeting Projects which in turn provided the municipal government with more programs and projects under BUB. BUB in 2013 amounted to 29 Million, in 2014 and 2015 to P31 Million, and was pegged in 2016 - at P36 Million.
The course of study was offered by the LGU over and above its regular Internal Revenue Allotment and regular National Agency’s project. The municipality also earned the Certificate of Child Friendly Governance which enabled to avail various support plans for kids.
One of the most important achievement of this administration was to achieve the much called for stability in peace and order, which strengthened its efforts for a free social fermented society, and a harmonious environment for its beloved people to proudly call - a hometown.
As for the political side, it was guided by its “secrets” of unity and cooperation wherein, despite political differences, the local officials built up bridges instead of walls, and created harmony over acrimony. Because of it, we were able to pass policies and measures for the benefit of our constituents.
The Sangguniang Bayan had enacted, aside from the MNCHN Ordinance, the first throughout the country, the Elimination of Open Defecation or Zero Open Defecation or ZOD Ordinance. The Child Code was drawn and in presently under review in the province. For finalization is the Gender and Development Code or the GAD Code.
Enhancing its disaster risk reduction, the Sangguniang Bayan have also passed the Force Evacuation Ordinance; the 10-year Ecological Solid Waste Management Plan 2015-20125 which is now endorsed to National Solid Waste Management Commission; the College Education Assistance or Iskolar ng Bayan Ordinance; the techno-based and livelihood skills and much more.
“Maraming-maraming salamat to our working Sanggunian headed by Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo of the 12th Council, and by the late Vice Mayor-turned councilman Benjamin Guilley of the 11th Council.
Damo nga salamat sa inyo pagbuylog kag suporta sa idalum sang akon administrasyon. We gain this much because you have supported all our development efforts for the good of the people of Malungon,” the honorable Mayor Constantino, finally said. (Note: a concise and edited fraction of the 25-page MAYOR’S speech during the culmination of this town’s 46th founding fete at the Sunken Arena in July 15, 2015). (Isagani Palma – MIO/ Malungon).
