FrontierTagumpay

T H E O F F I C I A L M AGA Z I N E O F T H E C I TY G OV E R N M E N T O F TAG U M

HarvestSeason

T H E A W E - I N S P I R I N G , S U C C E S S F U L A N D C O L O R F U L Y E A R

T H A T I S 2 0 1 5

VOLUME NO. IX NO. 2APRIL-DECEMBER 2015

contentsVOLUME IX NO. 2

A P R I L - D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5

SECTIONS

THE BUREAU

6 9IMPROVING HEALTH CARE

GALINGPOOK

ACROSS ALL basic health system indicators, the City Government of Tagum made a significant headway in ensuring an all-inclusive, non-discriminatory health services delivery for Tagumenyos, as shown in the roadmap developed by the Department of Health, the Zuellig Family Foundation and the Davao Medical School Foundation.

THE EFFORTS exerted by the dedicated men and women of the Balik Sigla Program under the City Health Office were paid off when the Manila-based Galing Pook Foundation shortlisted the program to be evaluated for its 2015 Galing Pook Award.

#HASHTAGUM

22

35

28WINNINGSTREAK

COMPREHENSIVELAND USE PLAN

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE

2015 is considered a banner year for the City Government of Tagum as it hauled major awards from arious national and regional award giving-bodies—a proof of the brand of excellence in local governance espoused by the rellon administration. here, we compile these awards and tell why these matter to every Tagumenyo.

THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM takes pride for being the only local government unit in Region XI to have revised its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, vital document that will guide the city in achieving an equitable and balanced development.

With EDUCATION as the number one priority under the EAGLE WINGS Program, the City Government of Tagum continues to plant seeds for the future for the benefit of the city’s greatest asset: the Tagumenyo people.

TAGUM AIRPORTIN THE OFFING 42

10 12

16 18

TAGUMPAY EXTRA

38

40

43

SUCCESSFULHOSTING

NEW CITYLANDMARKS

GIANTLEAP

A NATIONAL JAMBOREE rich in lessons will be forever etched in the hearts of more than 21, 126 Scouts and Scouters from different parts of the Philippines—lessons they are bringing home as they label the 16th National Scout Jamboree held last October 24-31, 2015 as “the best ever” in the history of Scouting in the Philippines.

THE NEWEST LANDMARKS in the City of Tagum offer distinct symbolisms that point to the city’s rich history, as well as a fitting reminder to Tagumenyos about its role in caring for the environment. Commissioned by the City Government of Tagum, renowned Mindanaoan artist Kublai Milan once again shares his obra maestra which definitely adds to the array of must-see places in Tagum.

THE YOUNG ATHLETES of the City of Tagum showed their mettle in sports as they emerged victorious by clinching a total number of 61 medals in the recently concluded 2015 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying Leg held last October 23-29, 2015 at Koronadal, South Cotabato.

THE COVER features the Bangka landmark of Tagum, which shows a family harvesting fishes. In one way or the other, this somewhat reflects the year 2015 for Tagum City —a harvest season that benefited every Tagumenyo from all walks of life, as highlighted by the major awards the LGU received this year. Photo by LEUNIELON TIMOGAN

A City ofPeople

executive takeS t r a i g h t f r o m t h e M a y o r ’ s D e s k

Gains of Hardwork and Perseverance

My fellow Tagumenyos,

Greetings of Tagum, Tagumpay! 2015 is undeniably a year that surprised us. Looking back at what we had achieved together last year, I take pride in noting that indeed, our hardwork and perseverance paid off. Taking into consideration how far we have come, we have every reason to be bullish on the years to come —bringing the same values that brought us to where we are today. When this administration kicked off under the leadership of your humble servant, our battlecry was simple: positive change for Tagum City’s continuous development. Today, we are already harvesting the fruits of our collective labor. Along the way, we managed to turn the setbacks and road blocks as our springboard to bounce back better. Your local government has been truly sensitive to people’s sentiments and needs, fully aware that we exist to serve your interests, and not our own. This truly paved the way for us to make Tagum a City of People. Perhaps the greatest validation of our commitment to this are the numerous awards

we harvested this year. We take pride on this because this validates the pro-people programs and initiatives that we are implementing. In the end, we see these awards not just a recognition for the local government but also to every Tagumenyo who, in one way or the other, took part in creating our Collective Tagumpay. In 2015, our city was recognized as the 8th Most Competitive Component City in the Philippines out of the 145 cities nationwide. This means we are regarded as one of the top-performing cities in the country, especially so that we also ranked 3rd in the economic dynamism category. This, along with many other awards we raked this year, is a manifestation of the continuing brand of good governance this administration is espousing. None of this would have been possible without the cooperation of everybody, and I cannot thank you enough for the warm support you have given us for the past years. Your vote of confidence on us served as an inspiration us to do better, create innovations and aspire for excellence in local governance. This 2016, we turn another leaf in our city’s

history as we celebrate 18 years of citihood. Since 1998, it’s amazing how far we have come as city. The upcoming celebration of the 18th Araw ng Tagum should remind us of this fact and compel us to converge for the remaining tasks that lie ahead. May this issue of Tagumpay Frontier ignite a sense of pride in you. May you, like us in the local government, realize it’s the most wonderful time to be a Tagumenyo. I encourage you to share this magazine to everyone you know. By doing this, you are sharing the good news—a news that all of us made, regardless of your status in life. On a personal note, I am humbled to lead you in this colorful chapter of our city’s story. May we continue to work together to further improve our Kwento ng Tagumpay.

AllAn l. Rellon, dpA, ph.dCity Mayor of Tagum

4

the bureauApril-December 2015

N E W S + U P D A T E S T O K E E P Y O U I N T H E L O O P

Focus onFarmers

Laying the Foundations

Health Roadmap showing gains

Grassroots Governance

The 3rd installment of the highly-anticipated UGMAD Festival once again put the spotlight to the well-loved Tagumenyo farmers, who are widely considered by the local government unit as partners in attaining food security for Tagumenyos.

Back-to-back fora organized by the local government unit give a detailed blueprint towards attaining peace and development in the city. These fora on peace and investment provide a steering wheel towards achieving the city’s goals as enshrined in the EAGLE WINGS Program.

Since 2013, the Department of Health and Zuellig Family Foundation have noted an impressive track record when it comes to the local government unit’s efforts in improving its health services. While majority of indicators are good, the DOH notes there still a lot that needs to be done.

Barangay governments are considered to be the backbone of local governance, as they are immersed in the grassroots. In an effort to recognize their efforts, outstanding barangays were awarded in the Barangay Excellence Awards sanctioned by the LGU and DILG.

MORE ON PAGE 13 MORE ON PAGE 7 FLIP PAGE TO KNOW WINNERS ON PAGE 8

5

healthcareimprovingACROSS ALL basic health system indicators, the City Government of Tagum made a significant headway in ensuring an all-inclusive, non-discriminatory health services delivery for Tagumenyos, as shown in the roadmap developed by the Department of Health, the Zuellig Family Foundation and the Davao Medical School Foundation.

This was presented during the colloquium held recently where Mayor Allan L. Rellon and City Health Officer Dr. Arnel Florendo highlighted the significant gains of the local government in realizing the promise of health care agenda as enshrined in the EAGLE WINGS Program of the current administration. “We have been outstanding in terms of leadership and governance, health financing, health human resource, access to medicine and technology, health information system and most importantly, health service delivery,” stressed Mayor Rellon at the conclusion of the one-year Municipal Leadership Governance Program which aims to compel local chief executives to set their focus on the gaps and opportunities challenging the health portfolio in their respective local government units. Arlene Gella, Vice President of Zuellig Family Foundation, specifically noted in her speech Tagum’s improved performance on maternal and child care since 2013 like zero maternal death, decreasing the number of infant death, 95.3% facility-based birth

delivery against the 90% national target and availability of skilled birth attendants at 95% against the 90% national target. The roadmap also showed mostly green remarks (denoting outstanding performance) for key areas like budget utilization, medicine tracking and inventory system, barangay health infrastructure and reproductive health. Rellon and Florendo are among the 12 Davao del Norte mayors and local health officers who completed the course that was mainly organized by the Zuellig Family Foundation in partnership with DOH and DMSF. The local chief executive noted however that the work is far from over, citing the red and yellow marks that denote weak spots of

the local government. This included reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy, achieving full immunization for children and full implementation of the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers. Tagum’s outstanding performance as well as for accomplishing the MLGP was rewarded by DOH XI with a performance incentive amounting to 200,000 pesos.

TOPMOST Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon (center) and City Health Officer Dr. Arnel Florendo (second from right) happily receive the recognition from Arlene Gella, Vice President of Zuellig Family Foundation, DOH Regional Director Abdullah Dumama, Jr. and Dr. Jonathan Alegre, President of the Davao Medical School Foundation. COMPOSITE Daily scenes at the City Health Office along Mabini Street, Tagum City.

focussheet

The LGU acknowledged the factors below that needs

its attention and focus

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

CHILDREN IMMUNIZATION

MAGNA CARTA FORPUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS

HEALTH ADVOCATES Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon (center) and City Health Officer Dr.Arnel Florendo (second from right) happilyreceive the recognition for Tagum’s improved delivery of health services during the concluding ceremony of the Municipal Leadership Governance last August 26, 2015.

6

LAYING THEFOUNDATIONS

Back-to-back fora organized by the local government unit give a detailed blueprint towards attaining peace and development in the city. These fora on peace and investment provide a steering wheel towards achieving the city’s goals as enshrined in the EAGLE WINGS Program.

Peace Foruminvestment forumTHE ATTAINMENT of genuine peace and security in the City of Tagum is still a work in progress and it needs the concerted effort of all the stakeholders of the city to make it possible. This is what Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon stressed in his message before the people from different sectors who were gathered during the Enhanced Genuine Peace and Security Forum II held last July 30, 2015 at the Molave Hotel, Tagum City. Mayor Rellon said that there are still things that need to be done before genuine peace and security in the city is fully achieved, stating, “genuine peace and security is that wala na kining mga kriminalidad, mga butang nga makapahadlok or makapaluya nato, and sa pag-achieve nato niini, kitang tanan magtinabangay.” The rationale of the forum includes the presentation of the problems which hinder the growth and development of peace and security which the participants to last year’s peace forum were able to identify and the solutions propounded in relation to said problems, as well as the actualization or realization of the solutions that were suggested and considered. The forum is a venue for the stakeholders of the City of Tagum to realistically assess the peace situation in Tagum City by recognizing the problems that are continuously besetting the city and coming up with solutions that best address these problems. It is also through the forum where the resources required, the responsible units and success indicators are identified. On the other hand, newly installed Chief of Tagum City Police P/Supt. Lito E. Patay made a presentation of the accomplishments, gap analysis and strategies and innovations of their office, including their support to the Local Chief Executive in relation the their Patrol Plan 2013. P/Supt. Patay also presented, as one of the strategies and innovations of their office, the Patrol Plan wherein the speed of their mobile vehicles patrolling the designated areas in the city are significantly decreased to 15 kph to 20 kph to enable the spotting of criminals and suspicious looking persons. He further stated that there has been a significant decrease in the criminal incidences of ransacking, snatching, robbery and shooting after last year’s holding of the first edition of the peace forum.

THE INVESTORS in the City of Tagum were convened during the holding of the 2nd Tagum City Annual Investment Stakeholders Forum on March 30, 2015 at the Big 8 Corporate Hotel, Tagum City for the discussion of methods and avenues that may be had towards improving the competitiveness of the city’s investment climate. During the 2nd installment of the investment forum which was initiated by the City Government of Tagum, through the City Investment Promotion Office (CIPO), the forum speakers tackled the advantages and effects of being integrated in the ASEAN Economic Community which was presented by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Davao del Norte OIC Romeo L. Castañada while the challenges of the business sector in achieving competitiveness were delivered by Ms. Nenita R. Malbas, CPA, MBA, of the Tagum City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. Other guests speakers were also tapped to elucidate on various topics in relation to the accessibility of energy and water resources in the local government and its importance on a range of investment potentials that could be established in the city.their mobile vehicles patrolling the designated areas in the city are significantly decreased to 15 kph to 20 kph to enable the spotting of criminals and suspicious looking persons. He further stated that there has been a significant decrease in the criminal incidences of ransacking, snatching, robbery and shooting after last year’s holding of the first edition of the peace forum. Mr. Romeo Montenegro of Mindanao Development Authority and Ms. Elvie C. Merquita of the Global Green Corporation respectively presented to the group the different Investment Opportunities on Power, Energy and Electrification and the exploration of the Sustainable Energy Sources like the Waste to Energy Program. 7

OUTSTANDINGBARANGAYS RECOGNIZEDUSING THE Local Government Performance Management System, the city’s 23 barangays were evaluated independently based on their performance in governance along the areas of Administration, Social Services, Economic Development and Environmental Management.

The performance evaluation saw Barangays La Filipina and San Agustin placing 2nd on the Urban and Rural Categories, respectively, while Magupo East and Canocotan earned enough points to secure the 3rd place of the competition’s respective Urban and Rural Categories. On the other hand, the 1st Place for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award- Urban Category was handed to Barangay La Filipina that will consequently represent Tagum in the regional edition of the competition. Other barangay winners of the aforesaid Incentive Awards were Barangay Magugpo

Poblacion and Barangay Pandapan who received the 2nd place for urban and rural categories, respectively, the urban category’s 3rd placers – Magugpo South and Magugpo West, as well as the rural category’s Barangay San Agustin. The cash prizes of P50,000.00 for the 1st placers, P30,000.00 for the 2nd place winners and P15,000.00 for the 3rd placers were also given out to all winning barangays. In the same occasion, insurance were also given to more than 400 barangay tanods in the city, as well as uniform vests courtesy of the City Government of Tagum.

Magdum Barangay Captain Ma. Teresa Reambonanza together with her Barangay Functionaries receives the token of recognition for her barangay, which was adjudged as 1st placer in the Barangay Excellence Awards (Urban Category). BELOW Liboganon Barangay Captain Edwin Ballesteros receives the same for winning in the Rural Category.

TAGUMPAY BARANGAY

EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE

AWARDS 2015

Official Results

URBAN CATEGORY

RURAL CATEGORY

1st PlaceMAGDUM

2nd PlaceLA FILIPINA

3rd PlaceMAGUGPO EAST

4th PlaceMAGUGPO NORTH

5th PlaceMAGUGPO SOUTH

1st PlaceLIBOGANON

2nd PlaceSAN AGUSTIN

3rd PlaceCANOCOTAN

4th PlaceNUEVA FUERZA

5th PlaceBUSAON

8

THE EFFORTS exerted by the dedicated men and women of the Balik Sigla Program under the City Health Office were paid off when the Manila-based Galing Pook Foundation shortlisted the program to be evaluated for its 2015 Galing Pook Award.

Galing Pook Foundation National Selection Committee Member and Land Bank of the Philippines Executive Director Dr. Victor Gerardo J. Bulatao was in the city on June 25-26, 2015 to conduct an on-site validation wherein the City Government of Tagum, jointly headed by Mayor Allan L. Rellon and City Health Officer Arnel R. Florendo, MD, defended the aforementioned health services program when the said member of the National Selection Committee propounded questions pertaining to the implementation as well as to the direct impact of the Balik-Sigla Program to its various beneficiaries.

The Balik-Sigla Program which was among the 38 local governance programs chosen from over 200 entries submitted by other local government units in the country, involves the Expansive Therapeutic Rehabilitation Services offered and provided by the city’s physical therapy aides, massage therapists and other health care providers to patients suffering from stroke due to Cerebral Vascular Accident and other diseases that cause paralysis.

Mr. Carlito Casocot, a married hairdresser and salon owner, and Ms. Elnora Muyot, a public school teacher, two of the thousand beneficiaries of the 8- year old program who have since achieved full recovery from the incapacitating illness, were also present during the validation to give their respective testimonies to the program.

Balik Sigla Program is Galing Pook finalist

9

transfermodeNew City Hall set to be completed in time for 18th Araw ng Tagum

THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM is slated to complete the New City Hall of Tagum in March 7, 2016 in time for the highly-anticipated 18th Araw ng Tagum City, marking another chapter in the colorful history of the city.

Mayor Allan L. Rellon stated in his message that everyone, from members of the Technical Working Group, the Project Management Board and all the City Officials who are involved in the legislation and policy aspect of the project, is serious in making sure that the New City Hall will be completed. The project will be undertaken by administration, since previous biddings conducted by the local government failed. It can be recalled that the initial plan of the Rellon Administration is to finish what it coined as “the

mother of all infrastructure projects of Tagum” through a turn-key scheme, where the winning firm will finance the project within the agreed timeframe and budget, and shall only be paid after the official turnover and acceptance by the local government. A total budget of 158 million pesos was allocated to finish the construction, 90 million pesos of which will be used for the first and second floors of the seven year old-project starting on the second week of June 2015. This period will be the first phase of the construction

according to the project management board. The scope of work involved in the Phase 1 of the resumption of construction work include roofing, tile works, the mezzanine, drywall partitions, glass works, railings, mechanical work and electrification while the manpower that necessitates filling include that of site engineers, masons, welders, carpenters and laborer. Notably, the second phase of the construction, which entails the final completion of the 3rd and 4th floors, will commence after the preparation of the necessary bidding documents on the procurement of materials for the last two floors of the building. The budget is sourced from the still-unutilized loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines by the local government for the same purpose, which was not immediately used pending the audit investigation of the Commission on Audit.

10

Of this amount, the agriculture seemed to benefit the most by getting the lion’s share in a form of farm-to-market roads, livestock dispersal, mechanization and livelihood programs, among others. Funding national agencies that poured their budgets to the City of Tagum since 2013 include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Meat Inspection System, Department of Education, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Department of the Interior and Local Government,

Outsourced projects reach more than 1 billion pesos

P R O J E C T S F U N D E D B Y V A R I O U S N AT I O N A L L I N E A G E N C I E S

Tagum’s agri sector gets lion’s share

DUE TO THE PERSISTENCE of the City Government of Tagum to avail of the various funding programs of countless national government agencies, outsourced and pipelined projects secured by the local government now amounts to a staggering amount of Php 1, 024, 181, 922.00—a number that have benefited different sectors in the city.

National Electrification Authority and Department of Agrarian Reform. Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon said this is the result of the determination of the local government through the initiatives of respective departments to avail of these programs and projects so as to utilize the locally-sourced budget of the LGU to other projects, thereby benefiting more Tagumenyo. To avail of these outsourced projects, the local government submitted project proposals which are subject to the perusal of the funding agency. Acting City Planning and Development Officer Arturo B. Manigo, Jr. said some of the projects funded through outsourcing are still on-going, while the rest were already completed. Among the projects poured to Tagum through outsourcing is the construction of farm-to-market roads, multi-specie hatchery, Double A Slaughterhouse, school buildings, street lightings, drainage projects, agri-fishery recreational complex, tourism roads andprovision of farm tractors and mechanical dryer with implements. 25 puroks in the city now have electricity through the Sitio Electrification Program funded through outsourcing. Livelihood programs were also funded through outsourcing like dispersal of carabao, hogs, chicken and goats. Several civil society organizations also benefited in their various livelihood projects through the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process or most commonly known as the Bottom-up Budgeting Process. Mayor Rellon assured that the local government will continue to reach out to funding agencies for the benefit of the city and its people.

11

3 QUARTERS OFMERRY-MAKING

FROM A PERIOD OF MAY TO DECEMBER, Tagumenyos were treated to a wide array of festivals and events that highlighted the ingenuity and love for fun of the locals here. The events, which are mainly organized by the City Tourism Office, are also rich in symbolisms that range from Tagumenya beauty and to welcome the year 2016 with hope and enthusiasm.

GAY SUMMIT July 2015A rainbow, the symbol of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community around the world highlights the main streets of the city during the opening parade of Tagum City Gay Summit 2015 as showing of reflection of diversity and gender equality among Tagumenyos. Series of activities were done during the 3-day celebration such as HIV/STI/AIDS Awareness Symposium, Freedom Parade, Laugh Out Loud-Stand up comedy Competition, Styling & Instant Make-over Challenge, Sports and Gayness-Volleyball and Basketball, Fun and Gayness-Gay Henyo and The Singing Gay and Liberty Pool Party.

12

UGMAD FESTIVALSeptember 2015

FIREWORKS DISPLAYDecember 2015

MUTYA NG TAGUM CITYNovember 2015

LIGHTING OF THE GIANT HOLIDAY TREENovember 2015

“This is a way in which we honor our farmers and a way of givingimportance to the different agricultural products of our city,” MayorAllan Rellon said during the festival’s opening ceremony lastSeptember 4, 2015 at the Rotary Park. Highlighting the festival opening was the Carroza y Pintados de Carabao, where different painted Carabaos and their Carroza full of fruits and other farm products were paraded in the city’s major thoroughfares.

Greeting the New Year full of enthusiasm and hope, Tagumenyos flocked to the New City Hall Arena to witness the annual fireworks display sponsored by the City Government of Tagum. Mayor Allan L. Rellon led an estimated 5,000 Tagumenyos who flocked to the grounds of the iconic City Hall of Tagum during the 15-minutes fireworks display. Aside from Tagumenyos, among those who also joined the revelries during the fireworks display were residents from Compostela Valley, Davao City and even as far as Province of Agusan.

Ms. Jane Irish Mae Duque from Barangay Magugpo North, a stunningly beautiful 21-year old bested 9 other candidates during the Grand Coronation Night of the Mutya ng Tagum 2015 held at the RDR Gymnasium on Thursday night November 19, 2015. Duque captured the hearts of the audience and the judges because of her beauty and intelligence she exuded throughout the pageant night.

Officially kicking off the festive holiday season, Tagumenyos flocked to the city’s Freedom Park to witness the ceremonial lighting of the Giant Holiday Tree last November 16, 2015, maintaining its reputation as one of the highly-anticipated events here. Decorative abstract frames of doves, angels, stars, flowers, snowflakes and birds also adorned the holiday tree, all lit up with 1,450 sets of rice bulbs and 3,786 sets of LED flexy lights. Towering in 105 feet, this year’s Giant Holiday Tree carried a message of love as 16 ring stars atop the holiday tree symbolize the meaning of love as defined in the New Testament, specifically 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. 13

KAIMUNAN FESTIVALOctober 2015

PAKARADJAN FESTIVALOctober 2015

The rich culture and tradition of this city’s indigenous peoples took the spotlight as the 13th year of the Kaimunan Festival. Mayor Allan Rellon heralded the thrust of his administration towards safeguarding the richness of the tradition of the city’s indigenous people, thus highlighting them in the four-day Kaimunan festivities. Joining the local chief executive in the grand kick-off of the festival were Vice Mayor Geterito T. Gementiza, Councilor Macario Bermudez II and the indigenous peoples of the city. In his speech, Mayor Rellon reiterated his administration’s commitment towards the preservation and protection of the IP’s diverse culture and tradition, where he particularly mentioned the plan of putting up of a tribal village in the city. The Kaimunan Festival is a cultural event where different tribal songs, dances, crafts, music and rituals are performed in thanksgiving to God and gathers all tribes to celebrate culture, tradition and identity.

The peaceful co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslim communities here was affirmed in the successful five-day run of this year’s Pakaradjan Festival that highlighted the rich and colorful tapestry of Muslim culture and tradition. The Pakaradjan Festival gathered the five dominant Muslim Tribes in Tagum that consist of the K’gans, Maranaos, Maguindanaons, Iranons and Tausogs. On its 9th installment, this city’s Pakaradjan Festival continues to highlight the rich culture and tradition of the Muslim Community as the search for Sigay ng Pakaradjan 2015 was held at Tagum City’s Pavilion and Cultural Center.

14

AFTER MORE THAN TWO DECADES

Gabayan residents finally get land titlesIt was indeed a Merry Christmas for residents of Purok Gabayan I and II as the City Government of Tagum officially turned over their long-time dream of acquiring land ownership with the awarding of original certificates of land titles —ending more than two decades of roller-coaster ride of fighting for a well-deserved land ownership.

ACTING UPON the decision of giving the preferential right by a Cagayan de Oro-based Court of Appeals to the City Government of Tagum, the local government here led by Mayor Allan L. Rellon finally awarded more than 100 original certificates of land title to residents of Purok Gabayan 1 and 2, which residents say is a culmination of their struggle to acquire ownership on the disputed land for more than two decades now. A total of 395 land titles are due to be awarded by the local government by the first quarter of 2016, with the first batch of awardees receiving their land documents last December 23, 2015 at Mangga Elementary School Gymnasium. Mayor Rellon said the local government is trying its best to award the remaining documents as early as January 2016. Residents of the then-disputed land located in Barangay Visayan Village considered this as a best Christmas gift, who have spent years of negotiations and court battles in acquiring this residential property. Mayor Rellon, acting as chairperson of the Local Housing Board, said the local government decided to award the said document after careful deliberation of the board. Present occupants of the land were given a priority for the awarding. Respective families spent not more than 2,500 pesos for the processing of their land titles at the Register of Deeds and other documents to be secured in the Regional Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office, with the assistance from the Technical Working Group of the Local Housing Board. Efren Casucot, the president of the Gabayan Homeowners Association, expressed his gratitude to the City Government and the Local Housing Board for making their long-time dream a reality. Mayor Rellon said the local government will still continue to prioritize housing needs and concerns under his EAGLE WINGS Program, noting that shelter is one of the basic and important needs of the people. 15

SHELTER PROGRAM FOR TAGUM’S LUMADS28 FAMILIES who are members of the city’s Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples were recently made the beneficiaries of the Shelter Assistance Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the City Government of Tagum. Implemented through the city’s Social Welfare and Development Office under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process, the program is jointly carried out by the DSWD and the local government to provide homes to the 28 families of Indigenous Peoples whose houses were destroyed, either partially or totally, during the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo in 2012. The joint undertaking, which is pegged at 2.6 million pesos, with the City of Tagum pledging the amount of 400,000 pesos as its counterpart, is in accordance with the policy of the State to provide shelter to the families/victims whose houses are destroyed by natural or man-made disasters and calamities, and is in line with the City Government’s developmental thrust on Social Services. Each IP family/beneficiary of the program is estimated to complete the 70,000- worth shelter unit within ten days after the implementation of the project and will also be paid the amount of P22,600.00 in exchange for their services or involvement during an 8-hour, 10-day construction work on the aforementioned shelter unit.

The beneficiaries who are all members of the Mansaka tribe from the city’s 4 flood-prone barangays of Pagsabangan, Mankilam, San Miguel and Canocotan were identified and selected by the Datus and Bias of their respective barangays. The program was implemented during a ground breaking ceremony on May 28, 2015 at the city’s resettlement area at RTU Village, Purok 2, Apokon, Tagum City and was participated in

by Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon, DPA, PhD., Hon. Macario Bermudez, Hon. Allan Zulueta, Hon. Francisco Remitar, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Damiano Cipro, City ENRO Engr. Elias Ragos, City Engineer Roosevelt Corporal, Local Housing Board’s Engr. Bernardo Castor, Acting City PDO Arturo Manigo, Acting City GSO Roger Dompol, CSWDO Nora C. Lupiba, RSW, and Brgy. Apokon Captain Bryan Kim Samuel Angoy.

16

Multi-Specie hatcheryto strengthen crab farming

Fifty (50) of Tagum City

Government’s pool of employees

who were identified as having writing

skills recently gathered as a means

of answering the call to overhaul the

city’s Official Magazine.

The call which was made by

Hon. Allan L. Rellon, DPA, was

partly premised on the fact that

the representatives of the every

department, division, or section

have more in depth knowledge of the

newsworthy programs and activities

of their respective offices, thus they

shall be the ones to present them

to the reading public by becoming

contributing writers to the official

magazine.

Additionally, the writing skills

of each of these identified writers

are expected to be fully utilized

during the preparation of Annual

Accomplishment Report of the

office, and will also be tapped in the

preparation of the Annual Report of

the City Government of Tagum.

The resource speakers for the

3-day Seminar-Workshop on News

Writing, Creative Writing, Feature

Writing and Basic Photography

included three of Region 11’s notable

personalities in relation to journalism:

Sunstar Davao’s Lifestyle Columnist

Jojie Alcantara, for Basic Photography

and Feature Writing; Holy Cross

College of Davao Professor Derf Maiz,

for News Writing and Sunstar Davao

Columnist, and Mr. Rene Lizada, for

Creative Writing.

The 3-day activity on April 13 to 15,

2015 held at Eden Nature Park in Davao

City was conducted in partnership

with the City Information Office,

Tagum City Literacy Coordinating

Council and the City Human Resource

Management Office of the City of

Tagum.

The multi-specie hatchery located in Barangay Liboganon was inaugurated by the local government led by Mayor Rellon, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and BFAR Regional Director Fatma Idris. The multi-species hatchery project, which has been tagged by local leaders as a “dream come true” after being finally realized after 10 years of intensive planning and lobbying, features an algal tank, larval tank, a reservoir, a power supply system and a nursery. BFAR XI poured 2.4 million pesos for the said project while the city government allocated some 650,000 pesos as its counterpart.City Agriculturist Harold S. Dawa said that among the impacts this project will bring is the

THE BLESSING OF THE Multi-Specie Hatchery located in Barangay Liboganon is a testament to the City Government of Tagum’s commitment in advancing technology in the field of agriculture, with the end goal of flourishing crab farming in this coastal barangay.

revival of the interest of the brackish fishpond owners to invest in intensive crab farming, in line with his department’s goal of making the city as a “crab capital” in this part of Mindanao. This will also increase the numbers of wild crabs along Tancuan Creek since every production season; the hatchery will release some of its products to the wild, thereby benefiting the fisher folks along the creek leading to the Davao Gulf. Prior to the inauguration of the said hatchery, the local government also unveiled its newest landmark along Daang Maharlika dubbed as “Bangka,” highlighting the latter’s role in advancing development in both fisheries and agriculture.

17

LGU penpushers hone writing skills

Outstanding school, home‘gulayans’ recognized by LGU

G U L A Y A N S A P A A R A L A N A T P A M A Y A N A N

12 public schools in the City of Tagum won big in the recently concluded 2015 Gulayan sa Paaralan and Pamayanan Program Excellence Award held on September 24, 2015 at Big 8 CorporateHotel, Tagum City. In the second instalment of the search for the most outstanding vegetable garden in the city’s schools, the evaluators grouped the participating basic educational institutions into Field Category for Elementary School and High School, and Container Category for Elementary and High Schools. The winning elementary schools for the Field Category were Florentino Catalan Elementary School (1st Place), Col. Rosalio C. Saludares Elementary School (2nd Place) and San Agustin Elementary School (3rd Place), while those that won in the Container Category were Don Ricardo Briz Central Elementary School and Bincungan Elementary School (tied at 1st Place), Union Elementary School (2nd Place) and Pagsabangan Elementary School (3rd Place). On the other hand, the winners for High School were the Jose Tuazon Jr. Memorial High School (1st Place), Laureta National High School (2nd Place) and Pipisan Maug National High School (3r Place) for the Field Category, and Tagum City National Comprehensive High School (1st Place), Tagum City National High School (2nd Place) and La Filipina National High School (3rd Place) for the Container Category. Meanwhile, the Search for Best Gulayan sa Pamayanan also had its initial run this year, with the evaluators judging the participants on the categories of Kapurokan Backyard Category, Kapurokan Container Category, Pamamahay Backyard Category and Pamamahay Container Category. The 1st place winners of the Gulayan sa Pamayanan contest were Mario Buladaco of San Isidro for the Kapurokan Backyard Category, Martha Suan of Magugpo North for the Kapurokan Container Category, Remar Lo of Nueva Fuerza for the Pamamahay Backyard Category and Zenaida Buera of Magugpo North for the Pamamahay Container Category. All 24 winners of the Gulayan sa Paaralan and Pamayanan Program Excellence Award were adjudged and selected based on sustainability, garden quality, nutritional outcome, educational relevance and generation of community participation.

18

12 CSOs benefit in DOLE’s 10M budget grant12 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) in the local government unit of Tagum City were made the beneficiaries of a P10 million peso- grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under its Bottoms-Up Budgeting Process (now formally called the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process).

In a turn-over ceremony on July 21, 2015 at the Freedom Park, Tagum City, the 12 organizations whose combined membership is totaled at 2,398 individuals, were awarded with Certificates of Entitlement for their respective livelihood projects and programs. These include Livelihood Assistance for Women, Fisher Folks, Fish Landing Laborers, Mangrove Growers, Muslims and Indigenous Peoples; Fruits and Vegetables Negokart Project; OFW Reintegration Project; Digital T-shirt Printing Project and Bigasan Project. DOLE Region XI Assistant Director Atty. Jason Balais rallied the beneficiaries who were gathered to exert enough effort to ensure the

strengthening of the livelihood programs and projects of the CSOs so that these would eventually generate new sets of employment, thereby helping the DOLE in the reduction of the unemployment rate, not only in the region, but in the entire country. The 12 DOLE grantees are the Magugpo West Women’s Association, Garinan Mangrove Association, Inc., Women of Rural Improvement Club, Tagum Fish Landing Unified Labors Association, Barangay Tribal Council, Federation of Imams and Datus, Liboganon Fisher Folks Association, Cabugan SEA-K Organization, Negosyanteng Angat Grow Micro Biz, OFW Family Circle, Urban Poor Association of Cebole and 4H Club of Busaon.

DOLE Region XI turned over to the City Government of Tagum and unveiled one (1) unit of Job Search Kiosk (JSK) at the 3rd Floor of the Old City Hall Building. The use of the kiosk, a user-friendly information portal that provides information on job opportunities and other employment-related information, both local and overseas, is geared towards easing the job hunting activities of the fresh graduates and other types of jobseekers through fast tracked accesses to relevant information on job openings, such as the hiring requirements of employers. It is worthy to note that the City of Tagum is one of the 11 local government units in the country that was chosen by DOLE to be given the JSK due to its potential for job employment generation, and reduction for unemployment as well as underemployment.

JOB KIOSKNOW INTAGUM

19

BORA-BORACRACKDOWNMORE OR LESS 500 UNITS of modified mufflers valued at P800,000.00 were destroyed during the Flag Raising Ceremony of the City Government of Tagum this Monday, September 21, 2015. The modified mufflers, more commonly referred to as bora-bora, were impounded by the personnel of the Tagum City Police Station between the period of April and September 2015 during their various operations against motorists who were found to be in violation of Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. The installation and use of modified mufflers on motorcycles create excessive and irritating sound resulting to noise pollution, thereby contravening the provision of RA 4135 which states that “No motor vehicle shall be operated in such manner as to cause it to emit or make any unnecessary or disagreeable odor, smoke or noise.” The bora-boras were crushed and destroyed by a steamroller (pison)type of heavy equipment.

Tagum gained praises for successful hostingof annual national scout leaders’ conference

THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM gained praises for the successful three-day run of the 59th Annual National Council Meeting of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) which was held in this city last May 20-22, 2015 at Big 8 Corporate Hotel.

Said gathering converged close to one thousand (1,000) Scout Leaders from the one hundred eighteen (118) local councils from the different parts of the Philippines. No less than Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar Binay, who also serves as the President of the BSP, opened the annual meeting, which tackled the development and challenges confronting the scouting movement of the country. BSP Tagum City Council Chairperson and Mayor Allan Rellon expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to Tagum to host this event, adding that the commitment of the city to scouting will not end in the hosting of this year’s national council meeting.

On the other hand, four new members of the National Executive Board - the governing body of the BSP - were also elected during the meeting and officially took their oath of office before Vice President Binay.

20

April-December 2015

ExpandedScholarships

With EDUCATION as the number one priority under the EAGLE WINGS Program, the City Government of Tagum continues to plant seeds for the future for the benefit of the city’s greatest asset: the Tagumenyo people.

#hashtagumT H E B I G G E S T S T O R I E S Y O U N E E D T O K N O W

School Buildingsfor K to 12

Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Employees Welfare

As part of Mayor Allan L. Rellon’s 10-Point Agenda, the City Government of Tagum continues its thrust to support and promote Education among the Tagumenyos through the Sulong – Dunong Scholarship Program catering the incoming and ongoing High School Students

The City Government of Tagum takes pride for being the only local government unit in Region XI to have revised its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, vital document that will guide the city in achieving an equitable and balanced development.

MORE THAN 1,000 personnel from the City Government of Tagum will benefit from the agreements that the local government unit has recently made and entered into with different institutions—a fitting gift to government workers in time for the 115th Philippine Civil Service last September.

MORE ON PAGE 30 MORE ON PAGE 28 MORE ON PAGE 35 WINNERS ON PAGE 3621

Harvest2015 is considered a banner year for the city government of tagum as it hauled major awards from various

national and regional award giving-bodies—a proof of the brand of excellence in local governance espoused by the rellon administration. here, we compile these awards and tell why these matter to every tagumenyo.

season

22

NATIONAL CHAMPIONGovernment Chorale CompetitionAWARDED by the civil service commissionGROUP INVOLVED: TAGUM CITY LGU CHAMBER CHORALE

The City of Tagum earned another bragging right to its claim as theMusic Capital of Mindanao as the Tagum City Chamber Chorale bested seven other choral groups in the Philippines to win the championship prize in the 2015 Government Chorale Competition held September 15, 2015 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The 33-man chorale, which was only formed in 2013 at the onset of the administration of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, impressed the jurors on their rendition of Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” and “O Magnum Mysterium” during the competition sanctioned by the Civil Service Commission in time for the 115th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service this month. But it was their rendition of the main contest piece—Noel Cabangon’s “Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino”—that catapulted them to victory, which also won the group the Best in Contest Piece Arrangement award. Regular and casual employees of the local government form part of the said choral group which considers the competition as their baptism of fire since this is their first time to join a major choral competition. In his statement, Mayor Rellon extended his congratulations to the chorale under the mentorship of Prof. Mario Sabello, stating that the triumph of the chorale group should inspire Tagumenyos “to dream big and work hard to see that dream being fulfilled.” Declared as runners up in the competition are the Supreme Court Chorale (first), NAPOCOR Choir (second) and Dipolog LGU Chorale (third). Tagum’s group was awarded with a plaque with a 200,000 pesos cash prize. “I am happy to belong to Tagum whose objective in life is to achieve excellence. I have been an avid fan of Tagum Chorale since I got my post in Davao del Norte based in Tagum City,” CSC Provincial Director Minda Ostique said.

TAGUM CITY, which was ranked the 60th most competitive component city during last year’s summit, gained major points to be declared the over-all 8th Most Competitive Component City during the 3rd Regional Competitiveness Summit, held on July 16, 2015 at Pasay City, Philippines. According to the official website of the NCC, the cities and municipalities are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score. The overall competitiveness score is the sum of scores on three main pillars which pool data from several sub-indicators. The three main pillars are: economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure. The City of Tagum, ranked under the Independent Component and Component Cities Category, was shown to be the 3rd most competitive component city on the pillar of Economic Dynamism, was ranked 34th on the pillar of Government Efficiency and was the 21st on the pillar of Infrastructure. The total score of 43.1699 garnered by the city on all three pillars made it possible for Tagum to be declared as the 8th Over-all Most Competitive Component City for 2015.

MOST COMPETITIVE CITY AWARDON ECONOMIC DYNAMISMAWARDED by the NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS COUNCILS

23

HALL OF FAMERBest PESO in the PhilippinesAWARDED by the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENTLEAD OFFICE: PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OFFICE

For three consecutive years since 2013, the Public Employment Services Office grabbed the 1st place in the Search for Best PESO Office in the country, thereby making it to the pedestal of Hall of Fame Awardees of the said recognition in the Philippines. Mayor Allan L. Rellon and PESO Manager Rogeneth Llanos received the award from the Department of Labor and Employment during the National PESO Congress held October 26, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila. The local chief executed noted that this award will inspire more the local government to sustain the level of excellence espoused by PESO Office. PESO Tagum’s winning edge was its excellent implementation, significant contribution and outstanding accomplishments of DOLE’s employment facilitation programs, as well as extending the office’s services beyond their usual call of duty. Aside from PESO Tagum, the PESO of University of Mindanao Tagum College was also declared as first placer in the Search for Best School-Based PESO in the same competition.

PESO Tagum’s winning edge was its

excellent implementation, significant

contribution and outstanding

accomplishments of DOLE’s

employment facilitation programs, as

well as extending the office’s services

beyond their usual call of duty.

24

GAWAD KALASAG

BEST LGU PRACTICES ON HOUSING

Regional Awardee for Best Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

Declared 2nd Placer in recognition of the local government’s innovative programs on addressing urban poor concerns

AWARDED by the office of the civil defense region xi

AWARDED by the housing and urban development coordinating council

LEAD OFFICE: city disaster risk reduction and management office

LEAD OFFICE: city housing section-local housing board twg

The efforts and initiatives of the City Government of Tagum in housing were recognized by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) for its sound legislative actions, pragmatic policies, innovative anti-squatting programs and projects and its effective implementation. The HUDCC, headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, said this enhanced the capacity of the local government in addressing housing and urban development concerns that are recognized by the national government. The recognition, which was presented

through a plaque, was bestowed at SM Megamall was received by Engr. Bernardo Castor, who heads the technical working group of the Local Housing Board chaired by Mayor Allan L. Rellon. This is still part of the national government’s drive against professional squatters and squatting syndicates, in its goal of

recognizing best practices in the local government.

Currently, the local government has eight existing

relocation sites, which are developed by the local government.

The City Government of Tagum added another feather on its cap as it won the 2015 Gawad Kalasag Award for Best City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) for Region XI, making it as the official entry of Davao Region to the National Search for Gawad Kalasag. The CDRRMC, under its chairman Mayor Allan L. Rellon, bested fellow component cities in the region in the said competition, which is the country’s premier annual award to local governments for their outstanding contribution in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian action. It recognizes outstanding performance of the Local DRRM Councils, civil society groups, schools, hospitals and other major stakeholders in promoting significant DRRM- climate change adaptation (CCA) programs and innovations. The institutionalization of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) is one of the pillars of Mayor Rellon’s agenda on achieving genuine peace, safety and security as stipulated in the EAGLE WINGS Program. Under Mayor Rellon’s watch, the office has focused on expanding its capability by acquiring equipment to boost its action and response during emergencies and disasters, and even established a 24/7 operation center in the city’s motor pool. 25

GREEN BANNER AWARD

DBP FORESTPROGRAM AWARD

This regional award is in recognition to the LGU’s health and nutrition programs.

Declared 3rd Placer in recognition of the local government’s bold environmental programs, specifically on watershed protection

AWARDED by the department of health region xi

AWARDED by the development bank of the philippines

LEAD OFFICE: city health office

LEAD OFFICE: city environment and natural resources office

The collective efforts of the City Government of Tagum and its people to protect its watersheds and coastal areas finally bore fruit as the city recently placed third in the search for the Outstanding Program Partner during the Development Bank of the Philippines Forest Program Awarding Ceremonies on October 5, 2015 at the DBP Head Office, Makati City. The accolade was given by the banking institution as a way of

recognizing the contribution of the local government unit of Tagum to the protection

and conservation of the environment through sustainable forest project management

which benefits the community and other stakeholders.

According to the official website of the state-owned

development bank, the Forest Program is an initiative of the

DBP primarily to protect the country’s critical watersheds and coastal areas and at the same time, enhance the protection of the government. The site of the 10-hectare

mangrove forest project of the city is located along Daang Maharlika and Tancuan Creek in Barangay Bincungan.

BECAUSE of its efficient nutrition program management, the Department of Health recognized Tagum City Government’s initiatives in improving its nutritional status of the residents in the whole city Tagum received the Regional Green Banner Award during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony in Davao City. The Green Banner Award is the highest recognition given to local government units with excellent implementation and management of nutritional programs. Outstanding LGUs in Davao Region were determined by the inter-agency Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) based on the results of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) and BNS Evaluation conducted earlier this year.

26

eGOV BUSINESS

2nd Place, Government to Business CategoryAWARDED by the national ict confederationof the philippinesLEAD OFFICE: CITY BUSINESS PERMIT AND LICENSING OFFICE

The City Government of Tagum also made a significant leap in the eGov Awards for Excellence in ICT in Good Governance for Local Government Units as being conferred the second placer in the Government to Business Category (Business Empowerment Award) this year. The LGU’s entry this year is the streamlined Business Permits and Licensing System, which saw the increase of businesses in the city, among other things. Said recognition was conferred by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Legazpi City, Albay last October 24, 2015. The eGov Awards is the first and most prestigious recognition to be given by the ICT sector to LGUs with exemplary performance in empowering its Public Customers and Business. It is an annual search for best practices in local government units in utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) to effectively and efficiently deliver its public services directly to its constituents and to its business stakeholders.

Last 2013, the City Government of

Tagum was also a finalist in the eGov

Awards, where it highlighted the

importance of its highly-functional

website (www.tagumcity.gov.ph) and

its social media accounts in engaging

an active citizen participation.

EMPOWERMENT AWARD

BY THE NUMBERS

7,509Number of Business Permits issued for the year 2015, which is higher compared to 7,337 issued business permits in 2014. The

swift and hassle-free steps in acquiring a business permit made possible through streamlining of this process became the winning

edge of the City Government to clinch this award.

GREEN BANNER AWARD

27

INVESTINGfor the

MORE CLASSROOMS IN SUPPORT TO DEPED’S K TO 12 PROGRAM

With EDUCATION as the number one priority under the EAGLE WINGS Program, the City Government of Tagum continues to plant seeds for the future for the benefit of the city’s greatest asset: the Tagumenyo people.

The multi-million peso - School Building Project of the City Government of Tagum was finally started during the Simultaneous Commencement and Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Liboganon Elementary School on December 10, 2015. Funded through a Term Loan availed with the Development Bank of the Philippines, the project serves as the counterpart of the local government in ascertaining that scarcity of instructional classrooms in every school is eradicated, or at the very least, minimized, while decongesting

the overly populated public schools in the city, in time for the June 2016 full implementation of DepEd’s K to 12 Basic Education Program, particularly the Senior High School Program, in all private and public educational institutions situated within the City of Tagum. The project, which is pegged at P80 million pesos courtesy of a ten-year term loan from the DBP, is in accordance with the developmental priority thrust of Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon on Education under the EAGLE WINGS Program.

28

INVESTINGFUTUREfor the

BENEFICIARY SCHOOLS According to DepEd Tagum Division OIC-Superintendent Dr. Nelson Lopez, the K to 12 Program necessitates the building of laboratories, libraries, instructional rooms, equipments, facilities and classrooms for the proper implementation and delivery of the said program. Also in attendance during the ceremony include Tagum City Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza, Hon. Macario Bermudez, Hon. Agripino Coquilla, Hon. Alan Zulueta, DBP Manager Jemma Ireneo, and other key personnel and officials of the city. The activity was capped with the burying of time capsules in each of the 16 recipient elementary schools and high schools that were chosen for the project.

Liboganon Elementary SchoolBusaon Elementary SchoolPipisan Maug National High SchoolTagum City National High School Extension-CanocotanVisayan Village Central Elementary SchoolMagugpo Pilot Central Elementary School Rizal Elementary SchoolUnion Elementary SchoolMankilam Elementary SchoolTagum City National Comprehensive High SchoolTagum City National Comprehensive High School Extension – PandapanLa Filipina National HS Ext – Magdum, La Filipina Elementary SchoolMangga Elementary SchoolApokon Elementary School Tagum National Trade School

29

lgu scholarship programs

expanded scholarships:the gift of education

As part of Mayor Allan L. Rellon’s 10-Point Agenda, the City Government of Tagum continues its thrust to support and promote Education among the Tagumenyos through

the Sulong – Dunong Scholarship Program catering the incoming and ongoing High

School Students, City Ordinance No. 246 S – 2007 known as the Establishment of the City Vocational and Technical Scholarship Program (CIVOTESPRO) catering the incoming Tech-Voc students with Tagum City Trade School as its Institutional partner and City Ordinance No. 673 S – 2014 known as the Establishment of the City Educational Scholarship Program

(CESPRO) catering the incoming and ongoing four-year course college students and with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as its

implementing body. For this year 2015, the Sulong Dunong Scholarship Program opened its application last April 13, catering four hundred seventy-eight (478) new applicants excluding the renewal of the old sulong dunong scholars with its cut-off on April 24, 2015. The examination took place at the University of Mindanao Tagum Campus last May 12, 2015 with its result posted on May 18, 2015. The total Sulong Dunong beneficiaries were nine hundred thirty-five (935) including the renewed grantees. The orientation and awarding of Scholarship Certificate and school supplies was organized by PESO at the Rotary Park last May 28, 2015 with City Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Hon. Nicandro Suaybaguio in attendance. For the tertiary scholarship, the CIVOTESPRO and CESPRO officially started accepting applicants last April 20 until May 8, 2015. On May 11, 2015 was the Qualifying Examination at the University

30

expanded scholarships:the gift of education

of Mindanao Tagum College Gymnasium with a total of two hundred twenty-six (26) examinees in attendance. The result was posted on May 15, 2015 listing the TOP 50 applicants subject for panel interview on May 18 – 19, 2015. Among the panel interviewers were, Ms. Norma R. Pereyras – BOD of Tagum Cooperative and NGO Representative, Ms. Rogeneth P. Llanos – MPA – PDO IV / PESO Manager and Ms. Eva D. Broas from The University of Mindanao Tagum College representing the Association of Private Schools and Universities. The interview result was then posted on May 25, 2015 announcing the twenty-eight (28) official grantees of CESPRO. The orientation and awarding of Scholarship Certificate happened last June 1, 2015 at the Boy Scout of the Philippines Building. For the CIVOTESPRO, the entrance examination of the applicants at Tagum City Trade School was the basis of the

official result. Among the sixty-six (66) applicants, thirty-three were chosen as the official grantees of CIVOTESPRO and were oriented on June 22, 2015 at the Ningnangs Function Hall.(Mary Laine Cartagena)

LGU SCHOLARS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2015-2016

Sulong Dunong (High School) 834

274

2875

City EducationalScholarship Program

City Vocational Technical Education Scholarship Program

SPES Grantees

31

Tabang Eskwelasa Mata ng Bata

THREE DAYS before the formal opening of classes for 2015, the City Government of Tagum rolled out its scholarships and educational assistance programs to poor but deserving students following its mandate of prioritizing education under its ten-point development thrust dubbed as EAGLE WINGS Program. A total of twelve thousand seven hundred fifty (12,750) sets of school packs, consisting of notebooks, papers and pens, were distributed by the City Government of Tagum to the scholars of the local government and children belonging to the indigenous peoples and Muslim communities of Tagum. Walk-in recipients are also given the same sets of school packs, which were funded through the Local Government’s General and Special Education Funds, respectively. According to Mayor Allan L. Rellon, the “Oplan Tabang Eskwela” of the local government aims to ease the burden of parents in purchasing much-needed school supplies of their children. On May 29, 2015, no less than the local chief executive received in his office thousands of school children and their parents who flocked to the City Hall to receive school supplies. Mayor Rellon also shared that they will also be roving schools on the first week of the new school year to distribute free school supplies.

Sa aking paggising, tanaw ko’y sikat ng arawTanda ng pangarap, pag-asa, kinabukasan

At maging tagapagturo, hangarin kong taglayUpang ipamahagi angkin’g talino’t husay

Subalit, ako ay nananaginip lamang ba?Mababang paaralan, sadyang napakailapTuwing ika’y natatanaw ay napapaluha

Bakit kahirapa’y sadyang kay laking bagabag?

Gayunman, talagang katangi-tangi rin akoSapagka’t napabilang sa mga pinagpala

Sa ilang napiling nararapat at totooAngkop na beneficiary ng Tabang Eskwela

Maraming salamat Mayor Allan Lopez RellonDi mo binigo, aking pangarap na matuto

Payak man ang iyong pinagkaloob na alayYaman magpakailanman, siglang bigay at talino

BY JETZYL DELGADO

32

B O T T O M - U P B U D G E T I N G G R A N T

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Link between Education and Literacy:Beneficial among Civil Society Organizations

In the national government down to the local governments it is being said that literacy and livelihood are linked together to be a strategy in increasing motivation and participation on the community development process.

WORDS BY HANNA MARIE PORLARES

ONE OF THE of the Aquino Administration’s agenda is to reduce poverty and achieve United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 by providing livelihood among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) starting with their capability and enhancement training. The said administration institutionalizes “bottom-up” approach on the budget preparation process applied down to the selected Local Government Units across the Philippines. One of the cities benefited on the national program, Bottom- Up budgeting Process or formerly known as

Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Program (GPBP) is Tagum City. The said program is also suited to the 10 point agenda or the EAGLE WINGS Program of the Local Chief Executive, Mayor Allan L. Rellon, specifically in education and livelihood among his constituents. To show the support in capacitating the Tagum CSOs with new knowledge or even enhancement of skills and culture, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tagum allocates 20 % counterpart in every project of the National Aligned Agencies participated in the said program which is used as fund for the Capability Training, Skills Training

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE33

and even used for other overhead expenses needed for the project implementation. Two of the beneficiaries of the said program which had already acquired knowledge or enhancement on a particular subject or field are the Federation of Barangay Tribal Council and Tagum City Federation of Coconut Farmers on their project Arts and Craft Cum Livelihood Project and Coconut Buttons and Bead Production respectively. Both are part of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) fund and implemented by Public Employment Service Office (PESO). In the implementation of Arts and Craft Cum Livelihood Project in coordination with the City Tribal Council, the project received a total grant of P 250,000.00, of which, P 200,000 was used for tools and equipment from DOLE and P 50, 000 as LGU Counterpart.

On the approved LGU budget, the counterpart was used to conduct Tribal Dressmaking and Beadworks Making on January 20 to Feb 10, 2015 at Tribal Museum, Brgy. East, Tagum City. On the fifteen (15) day training, 40 women and youths were enhanced and even given the chance to understand more their rich culture and became a foundation and first step to make their livelihood project grow. On the other hand, 172 farmers across 8 barangays are among the beneficiaries of the Beads and Button Training on May 19- May 25, 2015 from the total budget of P 500,000.00 and P 100,000.00 LGU counterpart. Through their trainers Ludy Landinilao and Jun Law-ay, beneficiaries are knowledgeable on the other usage of coconut shell or “ bagul”, which is commonly used only for coals. In addition, through the program they were trained to produce beads and button

and coconut accessories such as bags, belts, etc. In addition, both CSOs were also capacitated on leadership skills, monitoring, project proposal development, and were already knowledgeable in the accreditation process and marketing aspect. Today, both CSOs are already joining different local exhibits which help them to promote their own tradition, skills and their products and support them to generate great

income. It will never be denied that through educating CSOs on different skills in business will surely help them survive on their chosen livelihood project. Furthermore, through these linkages will truly promote inclusive participation in community development and poverty alleviation which will bring the city and even the country to greater heights.

These linkages will truly promote inclusive participation in community development and

poverty alleviation which will bring the city and even the country to greater heights.“ “

EVERYDAY LEARNING The indigenous peoples community of Tagum is honing their tribal dressmaking and beadworks craft-making skills with the help from the Department of Labor and Employment and the City Government of Tagum.

34

The CLUP brings forth the judicious and sustainable use of the city’s physical and socio-economic resources, its proper allocation and regulation. The same document will guide leaders in demarcating areas, which will strategically yield optimum production and increased efficiency of resources, for the CLUP is the basis of the city’s Zoning Ordinance. The passage of the CLUP —which covers the development plan of the city until year 2025 — has been a landmark achievement of the administration of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, who have organized the city’s core of planners led by the city’s former planning officer Mrs. Lucia Damolo to update the said plan, considering that the city is on the surge of unstoppable development. Mayor Rellon endorsed before the 6th City Council led by Vice Mayor Geterito T. Gementiza the said plan during his 1st State of the City Address last March 26, 2015. Public hearings and council deliberation shaped the final version of the document which hurdled final scrutiny by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Davao del Norte and was eventually passed last December 7, 2015. The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Region XI presented a plaque of recognition to the City Government of Tagum led by Mayor Rellon for being the only local government unit in Davao Region to have a revised CLUP. According to the city core of planners head, their group is now working on several plans for the city government to adopt, including the reorganization of the structure of the LGU and the Comprehehsive Development Plan focused on the city’s manpower and economy.

Tagum is lone LGU in Davao Region with revised land use planTHE CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM takes pride for being the only local government unit in Region XI to have revised its Comprehensive Land Use Plan, vital document that will guide the city in achieving an equitable and balanced development.

35

Top of this is the agreement between the City of Tagum and Medical Mission Group Hospital that will cater the LGU’s 356 Plantilla Personnel in relation to the medical procedures and services that will be performed on said workers during their Annual Physical Examination. These Plantilla Personnel include the permanent, elected, appointed and co-terminus employees. During the holding of the Monthly Convocation on Monday, September 7, 2015, the local government unit also signed separate Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) between the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Tagum City Employees Cooperative (TACECO). The agreement with the premier government banking institution was facilitated to allow the 1,360 program-based workers of the city who render their

MORE THAN 1,000 personnel from the City Government of Tagum will benefit from the agreements that the local government unit has recently made and entered into with different institutions—a fitting gift to government workers in time for the 115th Philippine Civil Service last September.

services thru Job Order contracts to receive their salaries via automated teller machines (ATM). As a result, the bulk of transactions made at the city’s Treasury Office relating to payments of the Job Order employees’ salaries and wages would be significantly diminished, thereby enabling the key treasury personnel to accommodate the transacting public. The City Government of Tagum also signed the Memorandum of Agreement with Tagum City Employees Cooperative (TACECO) for the latter’s free and conditional utilization of Stall No. 43-B located at Tagum Cultural and Trade Center, and the Scholarship Contract with Planning Officer II, Ar. Louella May Apurada for the latter’s completion of a Post-Graduate Master’s Course in Urban Management in The Netherlands.

Agreement for LGU workers’ welfare inked

36

April-December 2015

SuccessfulNat’l JamboreeA NATIONAL JAMBOREE rich in lessons will be forever etched in the hearts of more than 21, 126 Scouts and Scouters from different parts of the Philippines—lessons they are bringing home as they label the 16th National Scout Jamboree held last October 24-31, 2015 as “the best ever.”

tagumpay extraS T O R I E S T H A T A R E M A K I N G U S P R O U D

New CityLandmarks

Airport Planfor Tagum

Rizal Monumentin the Offing

The newest landmarks in the City of Tagum offer distinct symbolisms that point to the city’s rich history, as well as a fitting reminder to Tagumenyos about its role in caring for the environment. Commissioned by the City Government of Tagum, renowned Mindanaoan artist Kublai Milan once again shares his obra maestra which definitely adds to the array of must-see places in Tagum.

THE CITY GOVERNMENT of Tagum is proposing the establishment of an international airport in Barangay Madaum. Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said it was Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario who urged them to present the proposal to the Regional Development Council (RDC), also chaired by the governor.

TAGUMENYOS will soon have a Jose Rizal Monument to gaze at as the City Government of Tagum, through the City Historical and Cultural Commission, have culminated what local officials here called “long-time dream” to have a structure honoring the country’s foremost hero.

FLIP PAGE TO NOW MORE ON PAGE 40 MORE ON PAGE 42 WINNERS ON PAGE 44

37

TAGUM GETS PRAISESFOR SUCCESSFULNAT’L JAMBOREE HOSTING

A NATIONAL JAMBOREE rich in lessons will be forever etched in the hearts of more than 21, 126 Scouts and Scouters from different parts of the Philippines—lessons they are bringing home as they label the 16th National Scout Jamboree held last October 24-31, 2015 as “the best ever” in the history of Scouting in the Philippines.

In a span of one week, participants engaged in fun-filled, adrenaline-pumped activities specially designed to test scouts’ endurance and strength aimed at developing core life skills and 21st century leadership capabilities through team building, cooperative learning, group dynamics, creative problem-solving and decision-making skills. At more than 21,000 participating scouts and scouters, this national gathering of Boy Scouts is considered as one the largest ever assembled for a National Jamboree in recent years. Aside from Filipino Scouts, participants from Nepal, Malaysia,

Indonesia, South Korea and Taiwan also trooped to Tagum for this event that was hosted by the City Government of Tagum and the BSP Tagum City Council. The 16th National Scout Jamboree featured 16 main and special modules, respectively, that included Aquatics and Water Fun, Mountaineering and Expedition, Emergency Preparedness, Global Development and City of Science, Prayer Hill and Culture, Go Green and Recycling, Scouts of the World Award and the Messengers of Peace. Other modules are Adventure Trail, Challenge Valley, Go

38

Green and Recycling, World Scout Environment Programme, Youth and United Nations Global Alliance and Martial Arts. In his send-off message, Camp Chief Mayor Allan L. Rellon hailed the perseverance of Scouts during the conduct of the week-long activity staged mainly at Energy Park here. “As your Camp Chief, I am glad by how you have shown your strength and perseverance during the past days. Happiness is evident on your faces despite the stress and hot weather,” he told Scouts gathered during last night’s closing program. Mayor Rellon also challenged the Boy Scouts to uphold the values each Scout should possess “to become more active in the noble task of nation-building.” “When you go home, embrace your responsibilities as Scouts, strive to become more worthy to be called a Filipino and bear in mind to do a good turn daily,” he added. The local chief executive, who is also the Chairman of the Eastern Mindanao Region of the BSP, also told Scouts to consider themselves as “adopted sons and daughters of Tagum because we now share a special bond.” Prior to the formal Closing Ceremony, a Grand Camp Fire was held at the Grand Arena where different presentation by sub-camps highlighted the diverse yet united Scouting community of the Philippines.

some of the participants’ reactions retrieved from the official Facebook Page of the 16th National Scout Jamboree

VERBATIM

Tagum City...indeed an ideal site for bigger gathering of scouts like an International Jamboree.

Of the four BSP National Jamboree I have participated, the 16th Jamboree in Tagum City is the best! From venue to security, to modules and activities, even the trike drivers were so warm and honest. The jamboree has ended but for sure we will be back again !!! Congratulation Mayor Rellon and the people of Tagum. Sirgary Regaspi

Mayor Rellon has led and showed his being the CAMP CHIEF and he takes care of our 16th NSJ Camp experience... Thank you TAGUM! Tagumpay na Tagumpay talaga! Ernesto Anunciado Ayudan

Marina Salamanca““ “

39

RICH INSYMBOLISMS

EYE FORD E T A I L

The newest landmarks in the City of Tagum offer distinct symbolisms that point to the city’s rich history, as well as a fitting reminder to Tagumenyos about its role in caring for the environment. Commissioned by the City

Government of Tagum, renowned Mindanaoan artist Kublai Milan once again shares his obra maestra which definitely adds to the array of must-see places in Tagum.

The Bangkâ offers a notable memento of Tagum’s glorious past, as well as a fitting reminder of the city’s unending navigation to progress. This landmark aims to ignite a sense of identity among Tagumenyos, whose roots are deeply embedded in its mighty rivers and its coastal areas that became silent witnesses to the city’s coming of age. Since time immemorial, the Bangkâ has been an instrument in advancing development, having been utilized as the mover of progress, both in fisheries and agriculture. In the advancement of modern times,

this landmark now offers a metaphor; its imposing grandeur reminds everyone not only of the history it represents, but also of the values that comes with it. As in old times, the Bangkâ represents the aspiration for collective prosperity, which will only be possible if everyone embraces his or her individual responsibility towards the realization of the common goal. This landmark aims to teach the community of the importance of industry, hard work and cooperation as key ingredients of success.

Symbolizing a journey, the Bangkâ embodies the Tagumenyos’ aspiration towards unity (panaghiusa) and convergence (pakig-hugpong). Its primary significance lies in reflecting the Tagumenyos’ commitment to these elements that should not only be confined in the city but also extends with their kapwa: the whole of humanity. The Bangkâ enjoins all Tagumenyos to embrace unity and convergence to make them co-creators of Kwento ng Tagumpay.

BangkâOfficial Name: Tagumpay Panagat LandmarkLocation: Maharlika Highway, Bincungan, Tagum City

40

This monument was erected to highlight the immeasurable contribution of the scouting movement towards nation-building as well as the commitment of the city of tagum to train its youth to become productive citizens of the community. The three budding leaves at the top of this monument mimic the scout sign that represents the pillars of the scout law: duty to others, to the country, and above all, duty to God. In plain retrospection, the leaves also emphasize the role of scouts as stewards and protector of the environment. This monument also celebrates the uniqueness of our community’s diversity as a springboard in fostering peace, unity, friendship and world brotherhood through scouting.

DahonOfficial Name: Tagumpay Scouting MonumentLocation: Energy Park, Apokon, Tagum City

abou

thea

rtis

t RAY MUJAHID PONCE MILLAN also known as Kublai Millan is a proud Mindanaoan, a painter, art photographer, digital artist, and a sculptor, generated his own portal to show his interpretation in regards with the essence of scouting through his newly-made “Dahon” monument at the Energy Park where the 16th National Scout Jamboree took place.

Pulling back the scheming chain of his crafts, Kublai Millan’s artisitic hands were the ones behind the prominent landmarks in Tagum City .To name his masterpieces in the city; the enormous “Risen Christ” at the Christ the King Cathedral, sculptures in New City Hall of Tagum displaying different faces of the Lumads and figures that depict the city as the Music Capital of Mindanao and the “Yellow Bangka” situated at the border of Tagum City. No need to find a genius to define his art. His craftsmanship truly describes his passion with his field into his own perspectives, his mind’s mechanical impulsion in appreciating things into a work of art. To mention, all his contribution to the city landmarks, displays his immeasurable artistry.

VIP INAUGURATION No less the Philippine Vice President Jejomar

C. Binay, who also serves as the President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, led the

inauguration of the Dahon Monument during the city’s hosting of the 16th National Scout

Jamboree last October 21, 2015. Joining him are the executives of the BSP and Girl Scouts

of the Philippines Davao del Norte Council.

41

AN AIRPORT INTAGUM?LGU Tagum says why not

THE CITY GOVERNMENT of Tagum is proposing the establishment of an international airport in Barangay Madaum. Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon said it was Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario who urged them to present the proposal to the Regional Development Council (RDC), also chaired by the governor. “RDC chair and Davao del Norte Gov. Del Rosario has urged the city government to submit a project proposal for a construction of an airport in Tagum City,” Rellon said in a prepared statement before a recent RDC quarterly meeting. Rellon said that the city government is eyeing an area near the 58-hectare Hijo International Port Services (HIPS) in Madaum as a possible site of the international airport. Last November 18, 2015, members of the technical working group of the Regional Development Council conducted a field validation visit in Barangay Madaum in perhaps could be the beginning of making this dream a reality. Del Rosario had earlier bared that the RDC is looking for an area of 1,000 hectares which can be the next site of either a bigger airport or a

HATCHING A DREAMHow would you like an airport right in Tagum City? Well, that dream made a small steps done now that the Regional Development Council IDC secretariat came to Tagum City last November 18, 2015 to validate the recommended airport site located in Barangay Madaum that will be an alternative site to the International Airport in Davao City. Mayor Allan L. Rellon said this dream is just beginning to hatch, as he claims that it will take 20 years to make this into a reality.

cluster of satellite airports. The governor said there’s a need to have a new international airport to cater to more international airline firms. This developed as the bidding process for the P40.57-billion modernization and development of the Davao International Airport or the Francisco Bangoy International Airport is ongoing. “The current airport site is surrounded by urban areas and it has no room for expansion,” Del Rosario said. The present area of the DIA is only 217 hectares, far from the ideal 1,000 hectares airport. Del Rosario said that if Davao City cannot provide an alternative area, then the alternative international airport should be located outside the city. Among the possible sites cited are the cities of Samal (IGACoS) and Panabo in Davao del Norte and cites in Davao del Sur. The RDC chair earlier said that a feasibility study for a new airport, one of the listed priority projects this year, will be conducted. The study will determine the potential location timeline of the construction.

42

From being number 11 in the over-all rankings of the teams who competed in 2014, the Tagum City contingency was ranked 5th out of the 136 LGUs that competed in the 2015 edition of the Batang Pinoy Mindanao. This was largely due to the team’s winning of 22 gold medals, 18 silvers, and 21 bronze medals. The events in which the players won during the said competition were Athletics, Badminton Girls (15 under), Basketball Boys and Girls, Dancesport, Karatedo, Sepak Takraw Girls, Swimming, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Arnis. The contending athletes who represented the local government unit of Tagum and qualified in the said sporting event will then compete in the Batang Pinoy National Finals on November 27, 2015 to December 2, 2015 at Cebu City. Meanwhile, two teams and seven individual athletes who competed in the 2015 MILO Little Olympic National Finals at Sta. Cruz, Laguna brought home a total of nine medals. Sepak Takraw players Jessie Encomienda, John Lloyd Escabarte and Charles Alvin Flores were part of the Mindanao team who outplayed the other qualifying teams from Luzon and Visayas to win the championship prize of the game, while the players for Volleyball – Boys helped secure the Bronze Medal. On the other hand, the Mindanao qualifiers from Tagum City to the Athletics competition also churned out three silver medals and three

Young Tagumenyo athletes win big in Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg

FROM 11TH PLACE TO 5TH IN OVER-ALL RANKING

THE YOUNG ATHLETES of the City of Tagum showed their mettle in sports as they emerged victorious by clinching a total number of 61 medals in the recently concluded 2015 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying Leg held last October 23-29, 2015 at Koronadal, South Cotabato.

bronze medals for Long Jump, Triple Jump, Javelin Throw, Shot Put and 100 m-Sprint, while the city’s gymnast had a rhythmic gymnastics balls presentation that earned her a bronze medal. The Milo Little Olympics and Batang Pinoy are programs that are geared towards sports development, as well as instilling the values of self-discipline, respect for law and order, sportsmanship and camaraderie, among others.

43

RIZAL MONUMENTIN THE OFFING

TAGUMENYOS will soon have a Jose Rizal Monument to gaze at as the City Government of Tagum, through the City Historical and Cultural Commission, have culminated what local officials here called “long-time dream” to have a structure honoring the country’s foremost hero. A perspective of the said monument was officially presented by the City Historical and Cultural Commission during the city’s commemoration of the 119th death anniversary of Rizal last December 30, 2015.

Giovanni L. Rellon, chairperson of the CHCC, said the Commission will still have to decide where to build the said monument, citin two sites being considered: at the New City Hall in Barangay Apokon and in front of the Old City Hall along Rizal Street, this city.

“This will be fitting tribute to our national hero and an essential gift to our youth. Let us build this monument with the spirit of bayanihan in mind, exactly the way how Rizal wanted us to act as a community,” the younger Rellon stressed during his speech.

Mayor Allan L. Rellon, who also acts as the head of the Order of the Knights of Rizal in the city, is considering to build the said monument without using government funds, echoing the call for bayanihan.

“Through this monument, we are hoping that the Tagumenyos will always remember as a brilliant, courageous and compassionate man,” the local chief executive said.

Initially, the Knights of Rizal Tagumpay Chapter and the two lodges of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines based here have already signified their support to realize this long-time dream.

The Commission is hopeful the monument will be unveiled on the birth anniversary celebration of Rizal on June 19, 2016.

Tagum City’s commemoration of Rizal Day was highlighted with a wreath-laying ceremony and a 21-gun salute courtesy of the 10th Infrantry Division of the Philippine Army.

Philippine Ambassador of Goodwill and Tagumenyo Reymond Pepito, still fresh from his three-month participation to the 42nd Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program, served as the guest speaker during the event.

TOP TO BOTTOM City Administrator Giovanni L. Rellon, who also serves as the Chairperson of the City Historical and Cultural Commission, presents the perspective (second photo) of the Rizal Monument during Tagum City’s commemoration of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal. City officials led by Mayor Allan L. Rellon and Davao del Norte Vice Governor Victorio R. Suaybaguio, Jr. presents the token of appreciation to Mr. Reymond Pepito who was the guest speaker during Tagum City’s commemoration of the 119th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal last December 30, 2015.

44

April-December 2015

last frame

2016 marks another chapter in the City of Tagum as it enters into its 18th year as a city. the local government hopes that the years that will come will be as glowing as the colorful fireworks display. As what Mayor Allan L. Rellon always say, this will not be possible without the convergence of Tagumenyos, who, time and again have proven it lives to the ideals of excellence in whatever field they operate. Our collective Kwento ng Tagumpay will be as colorful and loud as fireworks display if we can sustain this level of aspiration. As we enter another phase, may we find the resolve to sail forward for the good of our beloved city.

Moving Forward

EDIT

ORI

AL B

OA

RDA

ND

STA

FF

Chairman of the BoardHon. Allan L. Rellon, DPA, Ph.D.

City Mayor

Vice ChairmanMr. Giovanni L. Rellon, MDMG

City Administrator

Mr. Edwin B. Lasquite, MMActing City Information Officer

Editor in Chief

Louie Bryan M. LapatManaging Editor | Layout Artist

Mary Christma Richi D. GulleGleiza B. DelgadoWriters

Hanna Marie PorlaresMary Laine CartagenaJetzyl DelgadoGuest Writers for this Issue

Leunielon A. TimoganKelvin Z. PalermoVinzel Bret DavoJay M. ApostolPhotographers

Ric Kevin L. CondeGraphics Designer

Marfren CeronaKareen Jane GomezLogistics In-Charge

Darwin SugpatanMobility

The TAGUMPAY FRONTIER is the official magazine of the City Government of Tagum that is quarterly published by the local government through the City Information Office. Any comments, suggestions and contributions are welcome by sending an email to tagumcityinformation2011@gmail.com. The online version of this magazine can also be accessed in the LGU’s official website at www.tagumcity.gov.ph