Land marking of the Mindanao State University campus extension

Land marking of the Mindanao State University campus extension – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino (right), Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) and (3rd – L) Department of the Interior and Local Government provincial director Flor Limpin Jr. flashes a thumb's up sign with a number of Sangguniang Panlalawigan board members, PEO ranking personnel, and a couple of Barangay Council representatives Monday (October 26), amid the groundbreaking of the five-hectare-wide school ground that is intended for the construction of Mindanao State University's' (MSU) campus extension edifices in Brgy. Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani Province. Also in photo (from left-right) are SP Board Member Elmer De Peralta, BM Abdulracman Pangolima, Provincial Engineer Jerry Belbider, BM Armand Guili, BM Virgil Clark Tobias, BM Cesar Nallos and Malandag Brgy. Capt. Fernando Fantin. (JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Another proof of a highly laudable feat – Unmindful of his slimming time at helm of the local government, outgoing three-termer Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bongbong’ Constantino shares a healthy opening speech before a huddle of pleased teachers, PGO and local government officials, barangay leaders and invited guests, during the Monday (October 26) land marking of the LGU-initiated P5 million-worth five-hectare land, where the Provincial Government’s P7 million project construction of the Mindanao State University (MSU) extension campus will soon rise in Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani Province.(JoJo Gocotano – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

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MALUNGON, Sarangani – TOP provincial and local government officials, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, spearheaded Monday, the most awaited groundbreaking of the five-hectare wide Mindanao State University (MSU) campus extension in Brgy. Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani Province.

DILG Provincial Dir. Flor Limpin Jr., said with the dynamic backing and involvement of LGU-Malungon and MSU-General Santos City school officials, this 2011 projected school construction is among the Provincial Government of Sarangani’s project priorities after it has bagged the Local Government Department’s prestigious Seal of Good Housekeeping, which qualified the PGO to avail the DILG’s Performance Challenge Fund incentive of 7 Million Pesos.

He said commonly known as “Malandag MSU Campus Extension,” the principal principle of its expansion is to stress the most needed special tertiary extension services for the Indigenous People, and to suffice the lack of teachers and college institutions that offers a well-improved learning system, and a less expensive cost of schooling in the IP dominated areas.

“So I would like to stress my thanks and congratulations for a job well done to our provincial government officials, for putting up the PCF-fund in this educational development project. This includes as well, the highly commendable support and participation of the Local Gov’t Unit of Malungon Municipality under the headship of Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino, for providing the P5M-worth five-hectare campus, and the Mindanao State University officials who guided the formulation of the project’s concept papers and its engineering and technical designs,” Limpin said in a brief media interview.

Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said in line with the Provincial Government’s “Sulong Karunungan and Sulong Tribo” program, the groundbreaking activity is a lucid manifestation of the government’s authenticity in its thrust to uplift the educational attainment and capabilities of its masses.

“Gani ako gisiguro sa tanan nga daku gyud ang pagpaninguha sa PGO nga mahatag ang tanang mga benepisyo, hilabi na ang para sa kaayuhan sa atong tribu. (That is why I am assuring each and everyone that we are doing all our best for the releases of all intended benefits, specifically those that are classified for the Tribal groups,” Solon said.

He said the opening was stressed right on time before the first 5-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) off campus program for 3 batches, a baccalaureate degree for deserving IPs to study in the MSU-GSC satellite school that started in Malandag in 2009, will about to end next year.

“Since the existence of the first MSU extension, we have already got 55 alumni with 17 LET passers. The first 9 LET takers are already absorbed by DepEd while the 2nd batch LET takers who passed last March 29, 2015 have already submitted their application documents for ranking at DepEd Sarangani. Most of the graduates of 25 are engaged in private employers to reach a living, while the 2nd batch graduates of 25 are waiting for the LET results. Hopefully the final batch of 44 will graduate in May 2016,” Solon added.

For his piece, the last termer Mayor Constantino said he is certain that for the past nine years, he has already given all his best in enhancing the local educational system, its facilities, and the desired increase in the number of teachers in the municipality.

“Today we have able to open another learning foundation in our dear town. Another great undertaking that was drawn not only for the insurance of our children’s future, but also the unborn. Gin-upisahan ko na ini. So yara na sa aton sunod nga mga lideres sang banwa, ang pagpadayon sang akon igahabilin para sa akon nga mga pinalanga nga mga katawhan, hilabi na gid sa akon nga mga ka-tribo nga yara nagapuyo sa aton mga kabukiran. (I have started it all. So it is now in the part of our incoming leaders to succeed in my legacy, that are contrived for the good of all. Of course especially for my beloved tribal minorities that thrive in the upper valleys),” Constantino said.

Thee mayor said aside from the P5M funding, the LGU is also eyeing to apportion another P3M-budget next year for the said project. “I know the significance of this tertiary campus presence here in our town. That is why our local government officials are doing all efforts to strengthen and maintain its existence. For as we could see, MSU is not solely for the benefit of our poor but deserving students, but likewise of great help in the role of parents who strive hard for the betterment of their children.”

In a forwarded message, DILG-12 regional director Reynaldo Bungubung said through PCF, the national government has again proven its mission's priority of producing tangible improvements for the Filipino people.

“We have to celebrate for the work that has been performed by the Provincial Government of Sarangani, Municipal of Government of Malungon and the MSU-General Santos City, that have braced together for the materialization of this project. So, we have to rejoice the positive result of the collaborative efforts of the Local Government and the Academe in providing education to Sarangans, most especially to the IPs and the young people. It should not be overlooked moreover, that both the Provincial and the Municipal Governments quest to give up basic services effectively and efficiently so as to get more human capital. And lastly, we bear to celebrate because the people of Malungon especially the Sarangani IP youths have the ardent fervor to be teachers… someday,” Bungubung said.

The activity was also grace by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan namely: Board Members Dr. Elmer De Peralta, Armand Guili, Beboy Nallos, Virgilio Tobias and Abdulracman Pangolima; members of the Barangay Council of Malandag led by Brgy. Capt. Fernando P. Fantin, teachers, government workers and invited guests. (MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).