THE BLENDS OF LEGISLATIVE DIMENSIONS THAT IMPEL KGD. NICKEL T. SUAYBAGUIO

by: Gracelyn M. Mabida

What does one in the Sanggunian do? Well, we all know that Local Government administration is generally carried out through the implementation of policies embodied in laws and legislations. Where an LGU expands in population and resources, it takes under their dominion the conditions which need to be addressed through responsive blends of legislative dimensions.

Kgd. Nickel T. Suaybaguio Jr. then takes on the job of legislation and infuses into the system of laws the political dimension required by the temper of the times particularly on matters of shelter and urban development.

It lends himself well to political administrative cooperation being duty bound to assist the Local Chief Executive in establishing policies to support the processes of development in the city.

As a manifestation, Kgd. Nickel tapped the participation of our existing Urban Poor Associations in the city through its Federation President Mr. Fidelito Blando in developing their own developmental processes. He continues to instill in them the values of freedom, solidarity and justice as the guiding principle within the framework of development policy commitment.

From the socio-cultural dimension, Kgd. Nickel said that the community association becomes the guardian of its mores. This implies responsibility of the community association to carry its undertakings and for those who are unable to stand up for their own rights to an effort to achieve social justice and overcome
poverty. From these, our legislations were socially constructed, and have impelled us to help those who are not strong enough to represent and assert their own interest, as in the case of the Urban Poor Community Associations, which in turn renders them incapable of fully utilizing the opportunities that their lives have to offer.

It can be deduced that while the original intent of certain legislation was political, yet, the economic implications are so substantial as to affect the policy formulation itself. We have to quantify the economic effects of our interventions to the community associations. After all, legislations to be effective must not merely take into account the substance and form but the socio-cultural, economic and political dimensions as well.

Apart from his legislative works, Kgd. Nickel has also undertaken reach-out activities to community associations particularly those affected by private demolitions and has extended humble assistance to them. In fact, during the opening of classes, he spearheaded the conduct of FREE GUPIT to around 130 students in the Urban Poor Associations as one of the economic interventions.

On provision of livelihood assistance, Kgd. Nickel has coordinated with the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) to avail of the ‘’Grow Micro’’ Livelihood Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Ten (10) slots were given to the Urban Poor Sector in which identified beneficiaries are Greenland HOA (Mankilam), Gabayan HOA (Visayan Village), Laureta Homes (San Miguel), Sta. Teresa-Phase II (Cuambogan), PANITAN HOA (San Isidro), Cebole HOA (Visayan Village), Zafra Malinawon (Apokon), BUHAI (La Filipina), Malinawon HOA (East), and Sacred Heart HOA (Cuambogan).

On utilizing his SRA-MBN Fund Allocation he has yielded to the requests of some Barangays for provision of water dispensers, weighing scale, paints, cements, roofing and lighting materials and the like to augment their need for resources.

These and more spell the adage that ‘‘One man with courage makes a majority.’’

SK STRESSES RESPONSIBILITY IN SOCIETY

By: April Joy and Kathleene Muring

The works of the youth reflect the future of our nation. It is the youth that comprise the largest sector of the populace and their idealism, dynamism, and vitality make them the most potent segment in our quest for a genuine development.The Sangguniang Kabataan City Federation of Tagum headed by SKF President Hon. Cyril Leonard L. Muring in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government headed by CLGOO Eliza P. Mendoza, MPA conducted the 2^nd Phase Iskolar- BOS and Group Dynamics last April 4-5, 2009 at Magnaga Resort, Pantukan, Comval Province with a theme “SK Ako… Pagbabago Now Na!”. A total of 96 youth coming from the 23 barangay of Tagum City participated in the activity. The 2-day seminar enabled the participants to observe and learn the right manner in conducting barangay sessions and were able to know their duties and responsibilities as well as the projects to be undertaken and rights and limitations pertaining to disbursement of funds at their respective level. As young leaders in the barangay and as persons in authority, involving the youth groups at the barangay level is of great importance.Meanwhile, the activity was made possible through the active support of local functionaries who were invited to give lectures on the very basic yet vital topics.

NAGKAHIUSANG MGA KONSEHAL SA TAGUM SA PAGPANGHATAG UG KOMPYUTER

Ni: Rae Karen P. Joseph
Gikalipay ug dako sa opisina sa Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) - Tagum City nga gipangulohan Ni Atty. Arlene I. Lirag -Palabrica sa dihang tulo ka konsehal ang nag apud apud ug pagpanghatag ug tulo (3) ka kompy cuter diha sa ilaha gumikan sa ilang hangyo nga matabangan sila arun mapadali ang matag-adlaw nila nga bulohaton sa mga nagkalaing-laing mga kaso sa dakbayan sa Tagum ug sa uban pang lugar. Wala mag makuli sa pagpanghatag sa maong gamit sila Hon. Raymond Joey D. Millan, Hon. Vicente C. Eliot, Sr. ug Hon. Cyril Leonard L. Muring. Pormal kining gi turn-over diha sa ilang opisina niadtong Mayo 5, 2009. Bincungan Brgy. Kapitan Norma C. Fuerzas midawat sa mga medisina inubanan sa iyang mga empleyado ug staff ni Konsehal Millan. Sa lain pang bahin nanghatag sab ug mga Medisina si Konsehal Millan pinaagi sa iyang MBN program, naningkamot siya na mahatagan ang mga programang panglawas diha sa Barangay Bincungan nga pormal pud kining gidawat ni Kapitan Norma C. Fuerzas.

MEGAPHONE, DVD PLAYER, MESH NETS UG MEDICAL EQUIPMENT NAHATAG PINAGI SA MBN FUNDS NI KOSEHAL JOEDEL T. CAASI

By: Bob Q. Otaza

Naka dawat ug megaphone ang Purok Country Homes sa Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City. Dugay na kining gi handom nila didto aron magamit sa ilang mga aktibidadis sa matag karon ug unya. Busa dako kaayo ang pasalamat kang konsehal Joedel Caasi didtong dapita sa mga kaigsoonan ilabina gayod ang mga opisyales sa purok.

Samtang ang Laureata National High School iya usab gi hatagan sa DVD Player aron magamit sa maong tulunghaan. Mismong ang Principal nga si Mr. Jeffrey Villarosa ang midawat sa opisina ni Hon. Caasi sa maong player aron magamit sa Records Section and Functional Reading Center. Ang kugihan nga konsehal wala gayod mag makuli sa pag-abot sa maong gamit. Pinaagi sa iyang MBN program naningkamot gayod sa pagpalit sa mga gamit sa eskwelahan . Matod pa ni konsehal Caasi bisan unsa ka gamay sa pondo basta e prioritize ang gikinahanglan kaayo sa mga tao, mapuslan ug mabulokon ang sangputan kay kini tinuoray man pag serbisyo. Dili pa lamang dugay naghatag ug mga pukot (mesh nets) usab si Hon. Caasi sa mga taga coastal barangays sa Liboganon ug Bingcungan alang sa ilang panginabuhian o livelihood. Haduol kini sila (mga gagmayng mangingisda) sa iyang dughan, matud pa ni Caasi.

Bulan sa hunyo 2009 nakadawat usab ang Honey Club of Davao Ragional Hospital sa mga 20 boxes of strips and lancets medical equipment alang sa pagkuha ug glucose blood sample. Kung mahinumduman nato ang Honey Club usa ka Accredited Non Government Organization(NGO) upat na ka tuig ang milabay. Ubay-ubay ang miembro niini nga dunay sakit sa diabetes. Ang suporta sa City Government nag padayon niining usa ka sector sa atong komunidad diin si Konsehal Caasi nag tan aw gayod sa kaayohan sa panglawas. Himsog nga katawhan, himsog usab ang siyudad, dugang pang sulti ni konsehal.

Dako ang kalipay sa mga hingtungdan nga na hatagan sa ilang mga gikinahanglan. Matod pa sa atong halangdong konsehal “basta alang sa mga katawhan nga lumulupyo sa syudad iya kining gi paningkamutan mahatagan bisan sa mga gagmayng mga butang nga maka tabang kanila. Bisan sa personal o purok, barangay nga mga request sama sa kawayan o bamboo sa iyang kaumahan sa walay pagpihig iya kining gihatag sa atong katawhan.

COUN. ENTING ELIOT A Certified Mediator Conciliator

by : Evelyn Eliot-Perez

The passage and approval of Republic Act No. 9285 formally institutionalized the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system which serves to promote the speedy and impartial administration of justice. The landmark of this RA 9285 has given more relevance to the mediation function of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), which provides for the recognition of cooperative conciliator-mediator as well as the recognition of ADR trainer in order to have a broader participation among cooperators and other cooperative in the implementation of this noble ADR system. The significance of this mediation is aimed at helping bring the spirit of mediation to every human being who wants to learn how mediation can work. It brings new hope and aspiration; thus enhance more cooperative to be empowered, imbued with values that encourage them to preserve, to get involve and be innovative. The City Cooperative Development Council headed by the newly elected Chairman Coun. Vicente “Enting” Eliot participated in and successfully passed the written and practical assessment of the Three Level Certificate Course on Basic Mediation for Practitioners in Cooperative sector convened and conducted by Phil-IDEAS in coordination with the Cooperative Development Authority - Offices of the Secretary and the ADR Program Oversight Committee. This was co-facilitated by Faculty Members & Mediation Practitioners of Philippine Mediation Center (PMC) –Philippine Judiciary Academy (PhilJA) of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The facilitators assessed and evaluated the participants and determined who were qualified to participate in Level II and so on. To become a Cooperative Mediator/Conciliator duly recognized by the CDA, one must have successfully completed an eighty (80) hour-credits representing the 3 Level Courses under CDA MC 2007-09. It is done on ladder to suit the need of primary & secondary coops; coop councils and local legislators on cooperative. The 1^st level requirements of a 24-credit hours was held last April 3-5, 2009 at the Eagle’s View Hotel, this city. The 2^nd level requirement was done last April 18-19, 2009 at T’boli Hotel, General Santos City. And to complete the Basic Course, the 3^rd level was held at Kapalong Cooperative last April 25-28, 2009. The said course conducted the following topics: for Level 1: Module 1-3 Basic Appreciation on ADR-Mediation on Focus, Mediation Communication & Mediating & Managing Negotiations; Level 2: Module 4-5 Handling Disputes (inputs, case studies & exercise) & Assessment (written & practical exam) and the Level 3: Module 6 Internship Program. After which the Joint Culmination cum Graduation ceremony of graduates of Regions XI & XII was done last May 3, 2009 at Grand Ballroom, Crown Regency, Davao City. This memorable endeavor was graced by no less than the CDA board of Administrators Chairperson Lecira V. Juarez.The Pledging of Commitment to the Mediation Service also highlighted the event.Coun. Eliot is very grateful that he is now a certified mediator conciliator in our locality. He expressed his utmost gratitude to the Local Chief Executive Hon. Rey T. Uy for his never-ending support to the City Cooperative Development Council.

PAG-AMPING SA KINAIYAHAN…

By: Francis Xavier Miranda

Parish of Christ the Eucharistic King Lectors’ Group conducted tree-planting activity last June 20, 2009 at the New City Hall vicinity

Niadtong gabii sa Marso 28 niining tuiga, gipahigayon ang usa ka oras nga pagpapalong sa mga suga sa mga lumulupyo sa siyudad sa Tagum. Gisubay kini sa gitawag nga Earth Hour 2009, kung diin ang tibuok kalibutan nagkahiusa sa panawagan sa pagpalong sa suga sa sulod sa usa ka oras. Ang maong panawagan gipaagi sa usa ka Resolusyon nga giduso ni kagawad Remitar nga naga-awhag sa tanang Tagumenyo sa pagsuporta sa usa ka mahinungdanong paagi sa pag-amping sa atong kinaiyahan. Ang pagpalong sa suga adunay dakong kalambigitan aron mapaubos ang pagbuga sa Greenhouse Gas sa atong kalibutan nga maoy hinungdan sa pag-usab-usab sa atong panahon karon, nga gitawag nila’g Climate Change.

Ang maong buhat gisugdan niadtong tuig 2007 sa usa ka siyudad sa Sydney, nasud sa Australia pinaagi sa ilang mga programa aron sa pag-amping sa k
inaiyahan. Kini nakapukaw sa atensyon sa tibuok kalibutan og niadtong tuig 2008, Tres Siyentos Sitenta’y Uno (371) ka mga siyudad sa trenta’y singko (35) ka mga nasud ang nagpahigayon og pagpapalong sa ilang mga suga para sa nagkahiusang panawagan nga maghimo og mga lakang para tubagon ang problema sa pausab-usab nga panahon og pagtipid sa enerhiya.

Agi’g paghinumdum, niadtong Hunyo 7 tuig 2008 unang gipasa ang usa ka Resolusyon pinaagi ni Kagawad Remitar aron sa pag-awhag sa mga residente sa tibuok siyudad sa Tagum sa pagpalong sa mga suga subay sa pag selebrar sa “World Environment Month” og sama sa maong tumong gihimo pud ang maong panawagan dili pa dugay niadtong Marso 28, 2009 subay pud sa “Earth Hour 2009”

Kahinumduman sa tibuok siyudad sa Tagum nga pipila lang ang misuporta sa maong kalihokan sa unang higayon niadtong tuig 2008, apil niini ang maihap nga dagkong establisyemento sa komersyo, gobyerno, relihiyoso, og sa pribadong sector. Sama sa maong tumong, sa ikaduhang higayon niadtong Marso 28, 2009, mapasalamaton kaayo kita kay ubay ubay pud ang misalmot sa maong tawag og maingon nga nahimong malampuson ang maong panawagan.

Usa sa mga importanteng buhaton sa tawo aron maampingan ang kinaiyahan mao ang pagtanum og mga kahoy. Pinaagi niini suyupon sa mga kahoy ang mga dautang element nga makadaot sa tawo ug nagadaot sa atong kahanginan. Busa niadtong Hunyo 20, 2009, sayo sa kabuntagon, gipundok ni Kagawad Remitar ang grupo sa mga magbabasa (Lectors’ Group) sa Parish of Christ the Eucharistic King, diin usa siya sa mga miyembro, diha sa dakong luna kilid sa ginahimo nga New City Hall sa siyudad sa Tagum aron sa pagtanum og mga kahoy. Kini gihimo agi’g pagtabang sa kinaiyahan bisan sa ginagmay nga pamaagi, para mapanalipdan ang pag-grabe sa polusyon sa atong kahanginan nga mao unya ang magdala sa atong tanan sa kaalautan kung kita dili magpakabana niini.

Gawas niini, adunay plano si Kagawad Remitar nga awhagon ang ubang nagkalain-laing relihiyosong pundok aron sa pagbuhat usab sa nasugdan na nga pagpananum, aron unya puhon, kun dili man nato mapaayo ang kahimtang sa atong kinaiyahan, sa atong mga pagpaningkamot, ato man lang mapataas pa ang kapuslanan niini.

KALINGA NG GOBERNADOR AT LIGA NG MGA BISE MAYOR NG DAVAO DEL NORTE

by: Jalmaida L. Jamiri, MPA

For the past two years, the partnership of the Office of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Davao del Norte Chapter remains steadfast as more and more programs and activities are initiated and increasing numbers of constituents from the eleven Local Government Unit in the entire province of Davao del Norte are benefited on these numerous endeavors collaborated and spearheaded by the two offices under the Kalinga ng Gobernador at Liga ng mga Bise Mayor ng Davao del Norte Program. Brigada Eskwela 2009 did not just come and go without some form of support being proffered to the schools coming from the Kalinga ng Gobernador at Liga ng mga Bise Mayor ng Davao del Norte Program. For the City of Tagum, Vice Mayor Allan Rellon ensures that these supports are actually received by the intended beneficiaries.

GALLONS OF PAINTS FOR SCHOOLS

During the FPTCA Meeting on May 12, 2009, not only did the 38 public schools in the City receive school supplies for their indigent pupils, but they also brought with them at least a gallon of top brand white latex and/or enamel paint. Budget of which was sourced out from the Office of Governor del Rosario under the Aid to VMLP Program. 52 gallons of paints were turned over by Governor Rodolfo del Rosario himself assisted by Vice Mayor Allan Rellon and the public officials present, for the beautification and maintenance of schools during the weeklong Brigada Eskwela. On his message, Governor del Rosario expressed his pleasure that VMLP was able to initiate this endeavor for the Kalinga ng Gobernador at Liga ng mga Bise Mayor ng Davao del Norte Program and told the rest of those present that he is glad to be a partner of the schools in this common endeavor, the Brigada Eskwela 2009 for that matter. He further assured the school administrators that this will not be the last time that a support will be given from his office and VMLP. The governor stayed until the end of the meeting and principals and administrators were indeed given the chance to talk to him personally and discuss several issues concerning them.

CLASS RECORDS AND LESSON PLAN FOR TEACHERS

If the indigent pupils have their school supplies and the schools have paints for their beautification and maintenance, our beloved teachers are not forgotten for they too have something from the Kalinga ng Gobernador at Liga ng mga Bise Mayor ng Davao del Norte Program. Class Records and Lesson Plans were distributed to all public elementary and secondary school teachers in the entire province of Davao del Norte. For the City of Tagum, Vice Mayor Allan Rellon himself went to the 38 public schools and turned over bulks of lesson plans and class records intended for the teaching force of each school. Even teachers of Public Preschools and Day Care Centers also received the same items. There is a total of 1, 178 public school teachers and 82 Day Care Center Teachers who all received a piece of Class Record and Lesson Plan. The items may not cause much but words of thanks and appreciations coming from the teachers were enough to conclude that it’s not the cost that counts but rather the fact that they were remembered.

VOLUNTARY MANUAL LABOR

Aside from the school supplies, paints, class records and lesson plans that were distributed, Vice Mayor Allan Rellon also spearheaded in organizing groups of volunteers coming from the Army Reservists of 1102 Community Defense Center and BSP Rover Scouts of Tagum City who actually perform manual labor during the duration of Brigada Eskwela on May 18-23, 2009 in several schools in the City.

Army Reservists Vice Mayor Allan Rellon, being the Battalion Commander of 1102 Community Defense Center, 1^st (DAV) Ready Reserve Battalion, 11^th Regional Community Defense Group of Army Reserve Command of Philippine Army, organized and led the 40 uniformed army reservists who, in the spirit of volunteerism, got actively involved in the weeklong Brigada Eskwela by helping in various maintenance works in several schools such as repainting of classroom walls, roofs, benches, and hall stage; repair of broken furniture and armchairs; cutting stubborn grasses; construction of pavements, among others.

Even the Group Commander of 11^th RCDG, COL FLORANTE O ISLES INF (GSC) PA shared in the same intention and joined the group throughout the entire duration of voluntary work and claimed and performed his share of workloads side by side with CAPT ALLAN RELLON. Together with City Councilor and ABC President Alfredo R. Pagdilao, COL ISLES assisted Vice Mayor Allan Rellon in the distribution of school supplies to indigent pupils in Rizal I Elementary School. The sight of army reservists working together with civilians for a common goal is something new that our schools can now look forward to for the Brigada Eskwela in the coming years. It will also be a good avenue to change the negative impressions of civilians towards military men who are usually associated with war and danger. The volunteer army reservists of 1102 CDC were not able to go through the entire week of Brigada Eskwela since their assistance were requested to help in the control of the crowd and retrieval of victims of the landslide in Pantukan, Compostela Valley on May 19, 2009.

BSP ROVER SCOUTS

Being the 1^st Council Vice Chairman of the BSP Tagum City Associate Council, Vice Mayor Rellon initiated the organization of Rover Scouts to make an active participation in the Brigada Eskwela 2009. He called for a coordinative meeting to all Rover Scouts on May 5, 2009 at SP Session Hall to orient them on their participation in the upcoming event. Team leaders were delegated and school assignments were identified as well as the tasks that would be performed on these schools. Vice Mayor reiterated once again, that being scouts are not just about wearing their uniforms and participating in jamborees or camps but rather it is about going out to the community and living out the spirit of volunteerism….making an active participation on a common endeavor for the good of the general public.

There were a total of 65 Rover Scouts who were scattered in nine schools in the city and helped out in various school maintenance works such as painting of fences, trimming of grasses, cleaning the classrooms, among others. Some of the scouts did not only volunteer in one school but in several schools as well…so much for the spirit of volunteerism. Brigada Eskwela is not just about preparing the schools for the opening of classes in June but it also unites the community to share and give out something for a common purpose… for the betterment of our students. It provides an avenue for the community to carry out and live out their social responsibility and as such become an active partner in the development of the community. With the Brigada Eskwela, it once again upheld the spirit of Bayanihan… which we Filipinoes are known for…setting a good example before the eyes of the new generation.