Munato fun race

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 4, 2014) – Skuya or fun race won by Gerald Gomez of Maasim is one of the tribal sports during the Munato Festival on November 28. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Munato Festival presents tribal sports

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 4, 2014) – One of the tribal sports showcased at the 2014 MunaTo Festival is Gamti, Blaan term for archery, won by Osmena Muyak of Maasim. Sarangani marked its 22nd Founding Day anniversary and the 12^th Munato Festival on November 27-29 with the celebration of its people, culture, and treasures. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Outstanding IP teachers honored in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 29, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez presents the seven outstanding IP (Indigenous People) teachers representing each of the seven municipalities of the province during the provincial celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day Monday, October 29, at the Capitol gymnasium. The awardees are (from left) Ginalyn Barcena from Malapatan, Karen Ruth Kusin from Maitum, Noemi Suga from Kiamba, Diosdado Sol Sichon from Alabel, Ricardo Unda from Glan, Mateo Gulac from Maasim and Avelina  Sarominez from Malungon. The governor has invited all IP professionals and employees at Capitol to join the event to deepen awareness, appreciation and celebrate the richness of our culture. For more news and updates, please visit the http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/> Province of Sarangani

. Come and enjoy the MunaTo Festival and 20th Foundation Anniversary of Sarangani Province on November 28-30, 2012. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli and Blaan leaders hold regular meeting

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 20, 2013) - Tboli and Blaan leaders led by vice municipal tribal chieftain Engr. Ruben Isla hold a regular consultative monthly meeting at the local Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) office in Maasim. Mayor Anecito Lopez Jr. said the congregation provides leeway for the indigenous people to present their plight, specifically on the needed LGU assistance in the upper valleys and other far-flung tribal communities of the municipality. (Darwin B. Tolete/MAASIM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Fishermen associations receive boats

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 17, 2014) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gives an inspirational message during the turnover ceremony of two fishing boats project of Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao to Lumasal Tribal Farmers and Fishermen Association and Daliao Fishermen Association at Maasim Public Market on February 12. (Marvin Soler/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Comelec proclaims Lawa as rightful Maasim mayor

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Sarangani Provincial Election Officer Jose Alvin Quiňanola (2nd from right) and Election Officer Gertrudes Omaňa (extreme left) proclaim former Provincial Board Member Arturo Lawa as the rightful winner of the 2010 election for Maasim mayoral post during the reconvening of the Municipal Board of Canvassers Monday, May 7, with Vice Governor Steve Solon (extreme right) as witness. Lawa “lost” to Jose Zamorro by a narrow margin due to a PCOS machine which erroneously transmitted results of the test run at Precinct 21 in Kablacan village instead of what Lawa actually received - 136 votes as against only 62 votes by Zamorro - bringing the total votes Lawa garnered to 5,440 as against 5,382 of his chief rival – a margin of 58 votes. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL) Note: Mayor Art Lawa is the first full blood Blaan elected as Municipal Mayor in the province of Sarangani. He was formerly a two-term Provincial Board Member.

Maasim leaders celebrate electoral victory

MAASIM, Sarangani Province (May 8, 2012) – Former Mayor Jojo Lopez, (in white shirt), deputy governor for the Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum development cluster, shares the victory of Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa after his proclamation as the rightful winner of the May 2010 election Monday, May 7. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Maasim municipal councilors and Mayor Lawa

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Municipal councilors congratulate Mayor Arturo Lawa after the Commission on Elections proclaimed him as the rightful winner of the May 2010 election Monday, May 7. The leaders vowed to be partners for the good of the municipality. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Newly-proclaimed Maasim Mayor Lawa takes oath of office

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Newly-proclaimed Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa takes his oath of office before Judge Ruperto Besinga Jr. at the Maasim Municipal Court after his proclamation as the rightful winner of the 2010 election. With him are his wife and son. Lawa “lost” to Jose Zamorro by a narrow margin due to a PCOS machine which erroneously transmitted results of the test run at Precinct 21 in Kablacan village instead of what Lawa actually received - 136 votes as against only 62 votes by Zamorro - bringing the total votes Lawa garnered to 5,440 as against 5,382 of his chief rival – a margin of 58 votes. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Vice mayor welcomes newly-proclaimed Maasim mayor

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan congratulates and welcomes Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa after the Commission on Elections proclaimed the latter as the rightful winner of the May 2010 election Monday, May 7. The leaders vowed to be partners for the good of the municipality. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Tribal council leads watershed project

By COCOY SEXCION

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Jose Zamorro and Joel Aton of Sarangani Energy Corporation had a turnover of seedlings to the Municipal Tribal Council here for distribution to indigenous people (IP) families living in the upland barangays of Nomoh, Kablacan and Amsipit.

The seedlings would be planted to boost the watershed development program of the municipality.

In a turnover rites Monday (November 21) at the municipal grounds during the flag raising ceremony, officials said thousands of seedlings were set for planting this year.

“For the remaining months of this year, we will be distributing a total of 17,500 seedlings of rubber, coconut, jackfruit and coffee to 50 families from Barangays Nomoh, Amsipit and Kablacan,” said Joel Aton, project assurance manager of Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC).

“This is part of the commitment of Sarangani Energy Corporation to rehabilitate watersheds and to provide livelihood support to Maasim highlanders and tribal communities and each family will receive seedlings good for one hectare which can provide an added income of around P3,000 to P5,000 pesos a month upon reaching its productive stage,” Aton added

The project was supported by the provincial and municipal government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine National Police, 73rd Infantry Battalion and Alcantara Foundation.

“I know this project will change the life of our people. The tribal people will cooperate and support this project because we know that this project will give us some livelihood and at the same time will help us restore all the forests that are gone in the mountain,” Municipal Tribal Council chief Benjamin Donato said.

Mayor Jose Zamorro also urged his constituents to plant trees.

“Supposed to be, we Maasimians are the ones who should initiate this reforestation project. This is everybody’s concern. For me, the only solution to the problem of global warming is plant more trees. So I thank SEC for this project,” the mayor said.

On the other hand, Vice Mayor Utto Salem Cutan appealed to those who are against the construction of the 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Sarangani Energy Corporation in Maasim set for its groundbreaking this November 25, to just give them a chance to welcome and embrace investments and development for their municipality. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Message of support

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez calls on barangay and municipal officials not be the last but always strive to be the best as he speaks at the flag raising ceremony and ceremonial turnover of planting materials to Maasim Municipal Tribal council Monday, November 21, at the municipal grounds. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Fruit seedlings for watershed development project

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - Joel Aton (extreme left), Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) project assurance manager; Noli Cajutol, SEC consultant on carbon sink project (4th left); and Governor Migs Dominguez turnover planting materials to the Maasim Municipal Tribal council during the ceremonial turnover for the 17,500 seedlings of coffee, jackfruit, rubber and coconut for the Maasim watershed development project. The reforestation and livelihood project is initiated by SEC and supported by the provincial and municipal government, 73rd Infantry Battalion and Alcantara Foundation. Also in photo are (from right) Seven Hills Barangay Captain Edwin Reducto, Nomoh Barangay Captain Lazarus Limpong, Kanalo Barangay Captain Jumbra Tama, Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan and Mayor Jose Zamorro. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal archery competition

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 29, 2011) - Osmena Moyak, a Blaan archer from Maasim, was awarded as the champion of the tribal archery competition Friday, October 28, during the tribal sports as part of the provincial celebration of national indigenous people’s thanksgiving day at the Capitol grounds. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Acting Governor Solon thanks Bantay Bata 163

MAASIM, Sarangani (October 30, 2011) – Acting Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon expresses his gratitude to all partners especially the Bantay Bata 163 of ABS-CBN for their support and services to far flung areas of the province in the conduct of community outreach and Bantay Bata 163 Caravan 2011 at sitio Blat Elementary School, Amsipit. The outreach program was co-sponsored by the Congressional Office of Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Hygiene kits from SEC

MAASIM, Sarangani (October 30, 2011) – Over 300 children of sitio Blat, Amsipit show their hygiene kits from Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) during their child-friendly space activity in line with the Bantay Bata 163 Caravan 2011 and community outreach Friday, October 28. The said activity is in partnership with the provincial and municipal government, ABS-CBN Bantay Bata 163, the Congressional Office of Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Alcantara Foundation Inc., Marian Movement of Priests, Police Regional Office 12, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Socsargen County Hospital, GSC Medical Society, 1002nd Brigade Medical Team, 73rd Infantry Battalion, Alcantara Group of Companies and RD Foundation. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Blaan performers of Amsipit

MAASIM, Sarangani (October 30, 2011) – Blaan women of barangay Amsipit perform a dance for the visitors who rendered their services for the Bantay Bata 163 Caravan 2011 and community outreach. Over 900 individuals benefited from the outreach program and this activity is in partnership with the provincial and municipal government, ABS-CBN Bantay Bata 163, the Congressional Office of Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Alcantara Foundation Inc., Marian Movement of Priests, Police Regional Office 12, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Socsargen County Hospital, GSC Medical Society, 1002nd Brigade Medical Team, 73rd Infantry Battalion, Sarangani Energy Corporation, Alcantara Group of Companies and RD Foundation. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Hinterland community opens new high school

By COCOY SEXCION

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 7, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez immediately approved a barangay resolution he received on Tuesday (July 5) requesting for the construction of a students’ dormitory at a new integrated high school in a hinterland community.

The approved request of barangay Amsipit for fund allocation of P400,000 for a dormitory was matched by the governor with a commitment of additional provincial school board teachers through QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today).

The dormitory in sitio Kyumad would accommodate students living in distant sitios. Students usually walk for hours daily in going to school. With the dormitory, the students would be able to live near the school.

Local officials joined Governor Dominguez with Department of Education assistant division superintendent Socrates Mabalot and DSWD XII assistant regional director Gemma Rivera during the inauguration and turn-over to the community of a two-classroom school building at Kyumad Integrated School.

The P1.242-million community-led project was completed with a KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) grant amounting to P935,000, plus a counterpart of P163,042 from the provincial and municipal government. Sarangani Energy Corporation shouldered the P165,000 barangay counterpart while DOLE Philippines lent a welding machine.

“Before, our school had to combine Grade 1 to Grade 4 pupils in one classroom. And when some of our Grade 4 pupils would transfer school in the lowland, they would be sent back to Grade 1. Why? That’s because of poor quality of education here in the highland,” Pastor Arthur Moyak said in his testimony. “That’s why I thank the leaders specially Governor Dominguez for looking after our problems.”

Sitio Kyumad, inhabited mostly by Blaan families, is located in the hinterlands of Maasim with 720 households and a total of 80 1st year and 2nd year students who are now studying at the new integrated high school.

The governor lauded the barangay council and the entire community for the “best practices” in the implementation of the project.

“You inspired me today. Kaning inspirasyon na inyong gihatag sa akoa, mao ni ang dalhon nako pagbalik nako sa Kapitolyo,” Governor Dominguez told the residents. “Nangutana gani ko, kinsa man ang kontraktor diri? Tinuod lang mas nindot pa man mo ug agi kaysa naay engineer”.

The governor added: “Imbes mag pusta ta sa last two, ipusta na lang nato sa kaugmaon sa atong mga anak. Ang target nako, pagbalik nako diri sa pag edad nako ug 50 years old naa nay sobra gatos ka professionals na naggikan diri sa inyong lugar. Dili lang nako ni damgo kun dili damgo natong tanan”.

KALAHI-CIDSS is the national government’s flagship poverty–alleviation project through the financial support of the World Bank.

KALAHI-CIDSS projects follow the Community-Driven Development (CCD) model designed to mobilize the capacity of the local people to analyze their own need, manage resources, and implement appropriate interventions.

These are projects that involve the community right from the start, encourage transparency and thus prevent corruption.

CCD employs strategies that development priorities are addressed in a participatory, collective and inclusive decision-making. In KALAHI-CIDSS, control over resources is in the hands of the poor. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal wrestling

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 5, 2009) – A huge crowd enjoys watching the S'buno, a tribal wrestling among the Blaans and Tbolis during a community outreach and medical mission Wednesday, February 4 at the barangay site in Amsipit. The community welcomed Governor Migs Dominguez who celebrated with villagers a day before his birthday. The governor usually celebrates his birthday in the province's farthest
barangays. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mass wedding

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 5, 2009) – Mayor Aniceto Lopez, Jr. officiates a mass wedding (Kasalan ng Bayan) for 21 Blaan couples in barangay Amsipit Wednesday, February 4. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)