Sarangani’s landmark

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) - The Provincial Capitol building, Sarangani’s landmark, will soon be named after its founding father the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian through an ordinance jointly sponsored and unanimously supported by all legislators of the province during its regular session on September 13. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) 

JLC Capitol Building

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) - An ordinance, with legislative enactment title “JLC (James L. Chiongian) Capitol Building”, will soon be in effect upon its approval as all board members support and jointly sponsored the ordinance. The naming of the Sarangani Provincial Capitol building into JLC Capitol Building is to give honor to the late Rep. James L. Chionbian, the founding father of Sarangani Province as well as the Charter of General Santos City. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)     

Sarangani to adopt “JLC Capitol Building”

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) – The naming of Sarangani
Provincial Capitol as JLC Capitol Building in honor of its founder, the late Rep. James L. Chiongbian, shall take effect immediately upon the approval of an ordinance.

Draft Ordinance No. 2011-7-08 was jointly sponsored by Board Members Eugene Alzate, Cornelio Martinez, Elmer de Peralta, Alexander Bryan Reganit, Hermie Galzote, Eleanor Saguiguit, Virgilio Clark Tobias, Limuel Gacula, Benedicto Ruiz II, Abdulracman Pangolima, George Perrett, Arman Guili and Victor James Yap Jr.

The ordinance noted that other than the world-class coastal highway, the Provincial Capitol Building serves as a prominent feature of the province’s infrastructure development achieved under the initiative of the late Rep. Chiongbian.

Sarangani was created in 1992 as a new province from then the 3rd District of South Cotabato.

“As a new province at that time, Congressman James L. Chiongbian
tirelessly accessed funds and implemented social and economic
infrastructure like farm-to-market roads, bridges, flood control, school buildings, spring and water development, irrigation, municipal hospitals, sea walls and ports,” according to the draft ordinance.

“He granted scholarships to poor but deserving students of the province, provided livelihood programs and sponsored and co-sponsored hundreds of House bills with local and national applications.”

In addition, the ordinance stated that “enough space” would be provided “outside the main Provincial Capitol building for the institution of a statue, signage, memorabilia, and/or any landmarks representing the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian and his remarkable accomplishments for the Province of Sarangani and the whole SOCSARGEN area.”

The ordinance also provides for activities to be conducted honoring the deeds of the late Congressman during foundation anniversaries of the province, with appropriation to be included in the regular subsidy of the provincial government.

The Sarangani Provincial Employees Union through its
president Anacleto Saya-ang has expressed support to the ordinance.

In a letter sent to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Saya-ang said “we in the Sarangani Provincial Employees Union (SPEU) are very much supportive to the draft ordinance of the honorable board members naming the main Provincial Capitol Building of the Provincial Government of Sarangani as Congressman James L. Chiongbian (JLC) Building.”

Aside from the creation of Sarangani as a province through Republic Act No. 7228, Congressman Chiongbian also authored Republic Act No. 5412 otherwise known as the Charter of General Santos City. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) 

Philippine Civil Service games

Maasim, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) – Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro and Maitum Vice Mayor Tito Balazon do the ceremonial toss to begin the local government units’ Maasim and Maitum Friendship Games as part of their participation to the month-long celebration of the 111th Civil Service Commission’s founding anniversary with the theme: Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed!"  (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE) 

Parents to monitor children’s schooling

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) – Board Member Limuel Gacula, representing Gov. Migs Dominguez, reveals the sorry state of education - increased drop outs or students not  being able to finish college. He requested his constituents, barangay and municipal officials to help fight "ignorance" by encouraging all children to go to school. "Parents should closely monitor their children so that they will not incur absences." he added. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE) 

Importance of team work

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) - Dr. Allan Farnazo, schools division superintendent, explains to the audience the importance of team-working by the Department of Education, government  and parents in order to achieve quality education in the province. Farnazo was one of the speakers in the Education Summit being held in all towns of the province. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Barangay Captains to help in education

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 21, 2011) - Annalie Edday, program manager of QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today), exhorts barangay captains to help the Department of Education in bringing children to school by earmarking a portion of their Internal Revenue Allotment for education. Cheering on at left is Mayor Elsie Perrett who delivered her State of Education Address by emphasizing the need for all stakeholders "to seriously help in attaining quality education for our children because quality education is foundation for poverty alleviation and economic progress."  (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pasimula Para sa Masaganang Ani (A Start for Abbundant Harvest)

"Sab-ug" "Sabwag" a term of ilocanos in Maitum, Sarangani Provice. When sowing the seeds of rice.