ARTICLES
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
GOVERNANCE ACTIVISM
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS 2008
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS 2007
CITY WITH A GREEN SOUL
MAYOR BAGS PHA AWARD
 
 

STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

by Mayor Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.

General Santos City

February 2008

 

 

THE congresswoman for the first district of south cotabato, honorable darlene magnolia antonino-custodio;

 

THE city VICE MAYOR, honorable FLORENTINA L. CONGSON;

 

THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL:

  1. HON. JOSE ORLANDO R. ACHARON
  2. HON. EDUARDO D. LEYSON III
  3. HON. JOSE MARIANO CONSTANTINO G. GONZALEZ
  4. HON. MINARDO A. AVILA, JR.
  5. HON. RAMON R. MELLIZA
  6. HON. RICHARD L. ATENDIDO
  7. HON. VIVENCIO E. DINOPOL
  8. HON. ORLANDO A. OCO
  9. HON. MARGARETH ROSE N. SANTOS
  10. HON. NEPTHALE P. NATIVIDAD
  11. HON. DANTE S. VICENTE
  12. HON. DOMINADOR S. LAGARE III
  13. HON. LOURDES F. CASABUENA
  14. HON.  jane calunsag

TO THE 26 honorable newly elected and re-elected BARANGAY CAPTAINS WHO ARE THE channels of service to the people;

 

TO MY FAMILY, ESPECIALLY TO DRA. ROSE ACHARON AND MY CHILDREN, THANK YOU FOR BEING my constant source of STRENGTH AND inspiration;

 

the former city mayor, honorable adelbert w. antonino, my political mentor ;

 

the former city vice mayor, honorable minda falgui and former city councilors honorable orlando mirabuene and honorable chito natividad, who are my predecessors and who shared with me the forging of the city’s vision;

 

TO THE CHILDREN WHO ARE GENSAN’S FUTURE;

 

TO THE STUDENTS AND THE YOUTH WHO WILL INHERIT THE EFFORTS OF THIS PRESENT GENERATION;

 

to the heads of different national government agencies, professional groups, and civic organizations, as well as to the representatives of the business community, who are the engines of the city’s development;

 

to the women sector, who IS THE light in every general’s home;

 

to our brethren from the muslim and the indigenous people’s communities who enrich the cultural heritage of general santos city ;

 

TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS, THE CITY IS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS IN LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS OF MAGANDANG GENSAN;

 

to the print and broadcast media who amplifies the voice of the government and the people;

 

to the lay people and the religious sector who channels the city and its people to the almighty;

 

to my colleagues in THE PUBLIC service, and to all my fellow generals nga naa dinhi karon ug sa mga naminaw diha sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka panimalay;

 

BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE, I THANK YOU FOR THE NEW AND OVERWHELMING MANDATE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME.  ANG BAG-O NINYONG MANDATO UG PAGSALIG MAO ANG NAGHATAG KANAKO UG BAG-ONG KUSOG ARON MAPADAYON ANG ATONG NASUGDANG MAAYONG MGA PROGRAMA UG LAKANG ALANG SA PADAYONG KALAMBUAN SA ATONG SYUDAD.

 

INUBANAN SA BAG-ONG SANGGUNIANG INYONG GIPILI, ANG GENERAL SANTOS CITY SULOD SA UMAABOT NGA TULO KA TUIG, MULAYAG NGADTO SA USA KA DIREKSYON NGA GILATAG SA NAGKAHIUSANG TINGOG SA MGA GENERALS.

 

ANG CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ATONG GIPATUMAN PINAAGI SA CITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES KUNG DIIN ANG 23 KA MGA LOCAL DEPARTMENTS GI-GRUPO NGADTO SA GOOD GOVERNANCE, COMPETITIVENESS, BANKABILITY UG LIVABILITY CLUSTERS.  KINI ARON MASIGURADO NGA MAPATUMAN ANG NAGKALAINLAING MGA PROGRAMA NGA MUTUBAG SA PANGINAHANGLAN SA ATONG KATAWHAN.

 

GOOD GOVERNANCE

 

GOOD GOVERNANCE ENSURES THAT AN ENVIRONMENT OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS PRACTICED IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN THE COMPETITIVENESS CAPABILITY OF THE CITY; THUS, MAKING IT BANKABLE IN ORDER FOR SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAMS TO BE IMPLEMENTED MAKING THE CITY LIVABLE.

 

IMPORTANTE NGA TUTUKAN NATO ANG GOOD GOVERNANCE TUNGOD KAY ANG MGA TARONG NGA EMPLEYADO MAKAHATAG UG LIMPYO UG HUSTO NGA SERBISYO.

 

DURING THE YEAR, WE CONTINUED TO TRAIN OUR EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE STRATEGIC TRAINING PROGRAM SUCH THAT MORE THAN 1,000 PLANTILLA PERSONNEL HAD PARTICIPATED IN STAFF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

 

WE STRENGTHENED OUR ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD to instill integrity, discipline and accountability in public service. thus, we prosecuted 12 cases whereIN TEN employees were penalized administratively.

 

IN CONTRAST, WE FORTIFIED OUR PROGRAM FOR AWARDS AND INCENTIVES FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE OR PRAISE.  RECENTLY, WE PAID TRIBUTE TO 75 EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR LOYALTY IN SERVING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR 20 YEARS .  I DECLARED 2008 AS THE YEAR OF EXCELLENCE for service delivery. THEREFORE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE OFFERING BETTER INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO PERFORMING EMPLOYEES.

 

MORE SIGNIFICANTLY GOOD GOVERNANCE ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.  THE WEEKLY CITY HALL SA BARANGAY WHICH WE SUSTAINED FOR NINE YEARS, HAS BEEN AN EFFECTIVE FORUM FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BARANGAY TO TALK ON ISSUES WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR PEOPLE.

 

my regular radio program “city mayor’s hour” aired over rmn and bombo radyo alternately every SUNDAY at 10 to 11 in the morning ALLOWS THE GENERALS TO INTERACT WITH ME IN REAL TIME.  YOU CAN DIRECTLY ASK ME QUESTIONS AS I WILL PERSONALLY ADDRESS THEM.

 

OUR OFFICIAL WEBSITE, WWW.GENSANTOS.GOV.PH ALSO FEATURES MY EMAIL ADDRESS, WHICH IS CMO@GENSANTOS.GOV.PH.  THIS ENABLES ANY GENERAL WITH INTERNET ACCESS TO SEND ME LETTERS FOR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS.

 

COMPETITIVENESS

 

COMPETITIVENESS as a PRINCIPLE ENSURES THAT THE ECONOMY OF THE CITY IS ALIVE AND GROWING BY DEVELOPING PRODUCTS AND IMPLEMENTING SERVICES FOR DIFFERENT MARKETS AND BY PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP. 

 

HENCE, WE STRENGTHENed THE CITY INVESTMENT PROMOTION CENTER, INVESTed ON IMAGE BUILDING, PROMOTED ONE-TOWN, ONE-PRODUCT OR OTOP, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AND CONSTRUCTed INVESTMENT-SUPPORTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE.

 

AS A RESULT, our Program for “Business Permits Aksyon Agad” or pba lounge during the annual business permit renewal, facilitated 1343 new business permit applications.  MORE SO, Seven big business establishments registered under our Investment Code with one billion peso investment employing 1,200 workers.   

 

the weeklong e-business and ict investment promotions program involved 456 delegates who took part in discussions during the seminars on new technologies.  its ict job fair registered 2,000 job vacancies wherein 400 people were considered for possible employment. 

 

THE PRIVATE SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE IS WORTH 738 MILLION PESOS WHICH contributeD to more than 258 million pesos worth of employment for our people.  these INDICATe THAT INVESTMENTS ARE COMING INTO THE CITY PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GENERALS.

 

TOTAL WORTH OF CONTRACTs FOR INVESTMENT-SUPPORTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT AMOUNTED TO MORE THAN 150 MILLION PESOS; WHILE THE FARM-TO-MARKET ROADS, BRIDGES AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FACILITATED UNDER THE COUNTER PARTING SCHEME WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AMOUNTED TO 41.4 MILLION PESOS.

 

OUR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE continues to maintain phil-job net, the statistical information system, registering 5,200 skills and posting 5,700 job vacancies.  THIS REFERRAL SYSTEM SUCCESSFULLY PLACED 2,500 APPLICANTS FOR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT, AND 2,800 PEOPLE were referred FOR WORK ABROAD.  WE also sustained the seasonal employment to more than 7oo deserving students during SCHOOL vacations.

 

COOPERATIVES ALSO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE CITY’S ECONOMIC GROWTH.  THERE ARE NOW 110 COOPERATIVES WITH COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 20,000 PEOPLE UNDER THE MULTI-PURPOSE NON-AGRICULTURAL CATEGORY, AND 38 COOPERATIVES WITH THE STRENGTH OF MORE THAN 2,000 MEMBERS IN THE MULTI-PURPOSE AGRICULTURAL CATEGORY THAT IS INJECTING 165 MILLION AND 18 MILLION WORTH OF CAPITALIZATION, RESPECTIVELY.  THIS IS REAL PEOPLE POWER IN ACTION.

 

along this line, we strengthenED the cooperative movement. the SECOND city cooperative summit which gatherED MORE than 200 cooperative officers and members, passED 11 resolutions that address issues affecting the service, credit, consumer, AND agri-fisheries sectors.

 

I AM GLAD TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR CITY WILL HOST THE NATIONAL COOPERATIVE SUMMIT IN OCTOBER.  AROUND 4,000 COOPERATIVE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.  THIS IS NOT ONLY A TOURISM OPPORTUNITY BUT AN AFFIRMATION THAT GENSAN’S SUPPORT TO THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT IS NOTED BY THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY.

 

WE CONTINUE TO FORGE STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT OR SMED COUNCIL, PHILEXPORT, AREA PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WHICH HELPED IN OUR TRADE AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AGRI-FISHERY EXTENSION AND PRODUCTION AND VETERINARY SERVICES.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY IS RIGHTFULLY THE TUNA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES.  IT’S CONTRIBUTION TO OUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMY IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED AND VALUED.  THE TUNA INDUSTRY AND ITS ALLIED SERVICES GENERATED AROUND 61,000 JOBS FOR OUR PEOPLE.

 

FURTHERMORE, BECAUSE OF THE ABUNDANCE IN RAW MATERIALS AND WITH THE INGENUITY OF THE GENERALS THE evolution OF TUNA VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS IS ANOTHER GENSAN SUCCESS STORy.

 

FROM 62 TUNA VALUE ADDED PROCESSORS IN 2006 IT GREW BY 37% OR 85 PROCESSORS IN 2007; 52 OF WHICH ARE LICENSED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY.  OF THESE PROCESSORS, 19 ARE EXPORTERS EARNING COLLECTIVE SALES OF 183.3 MILLION PESOS FROM THE DOMESTIC MARKET AND AN IMPRESSIVE 35 MILLION DOLLARS IN INTERNATIONAL SALES.  IN FACT, 5 OF THESE PRODUCERS ALREADY APPLIED FOR TRADEMARK AT THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OFFICE.

 

TODAY, THERE ARE 19 QUALITY-ASSURED AND ATTRACTIVELY-PACKAGED TUNA VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS IN BIG VOLUMES IN COMMERCIAL OUTLETS IN AND OUTSIDE GENSAN.

 

THE CENTRAL PUBLIC MARKET GENERATES LIVELIHOOD TO MORE THAN 1, 400 HOUSEHOLDS WITH TOTAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS WORTH 800 MILLION PESOS.  THIS GIVES INCOME TO AT LEAST 5,000 PESOS PER MONTH FOR VEGETABLE VENDORS AND 25,000 PESOS PER MONTH FOR MEAT AND FISH VENDORS.

 

I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT GENERAL SANTOS CITY REMAINS TO BE FREE FROM FOOD-AND-MOUTH DISEASE AND AVIAN FLU MAINLY BECAUSE OF OUR VERY CLOSE MONITORING OF THE SURROUNDINGS AND THE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING OUR MEAT FOOD PRODUCTS.  ASIDE FROM THE ESTABLISHED FOOTBATHS, OUR FMD CONTROL PROGRAM IS CONSISTENT IN DISINFECTING PASSENGER AND CARGO VESSELS, HAULERS AND GARBAGE BINS.

 

ONE OF THE MOST POSITIVE RESULTS OF BEING A CONSISTENT FMD-FREE CITY IS THE IMPACT ON OUR LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY.  FINAL NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOW BEING CONDUCTED FOR THE EXPORTATION OF our FROZEN PORK PRODUCTS TO SINGAPORE. 

 

THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD RECENTLY PASSED A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE DESIRE TO AVAIL OF A GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN ORDER TO BUILD A NEW DOUBLE “a” ABATTOIR WITH REFRIGERATED STORAGE CAPACITY.  the rising awareness of the people for a healthier lifestyle contributes to the demand for frozen meat products. THIS NEW INFRASTRUCTURE WILL facilitate the slaughter, freezing and packaging of an emerging “pork in a box” industry FOR LOCAL AND DOMESTIC MARKETS.

 

ALSO AS A MEASURE TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF THE MEAT PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, WE CONFISCATED ONE THOUSAND KILOS OF HOT MEAT FROM 26 VIOLATORS.

 

WE TECHNICALLY ASSISTED OUR LOCAL LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY WHICH ENABLED THEM TO PROVIDE THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL MARKETS OF ITS LIVESTOCK REQUIREMENTS.  MORE THAN 180 THOUSAND HEADS OF LIVESTOCK ON TOP OF THE FIVE MILLION KILOS OF FROZEN MEAT WERE SHIPPED OUT FROM GENSAN.  ATO KINING GARBO NGA ANG KARNE NGA GIKINAHANGLAN SA UBANG BAHIN SA PILIPINAS NAGGIKAN KANATO.

 

ANG ATONG MGA MANGUNGUMA UG MGA MANGINGISDA WALA NATO PASAGDI.  ATO SILANG GITABANGAN ARON MOLAMBO ANG ILANG PANGINABUHIAN. 

 

we CONDUCTED THREE SESSIONS OF FOUR month farmers’ field school program on integrated pest management for mango, corn, and rice.  THESE enableD farmers to learn FROM practical experiences on crop husbandRy, AND pest and DISEASE control. we also mass-produced 30 THOUSAND KILOGRAMS OF trichogamma for the control of corn borers.

 

GIPANINGKAMUTAN NATO NGA MA-IMPROVE ANG ATONG AGRIKULTURA PINAAGI SA MGA SKILLS TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, HIGH VALUE CROPS PRODUCTION, EXPANSION OF INLAND FISHERY PRODUCTION THROUGH JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS, CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF POST HARVEST AND IRRIGATION FACILITIES AND BARANGAY ROAD NETWORK. 

 

WE DISTRIBUTED 30 THOUSAND FINGERLINGS TO FRESHWATER FISH FARMERS; EVALUATED A THOUSAND SOIL SAMPLES FOR CROP SUITABILITY; GAVE 2,300 COMPOST FUNGUS ACTIVATORS FOR ORGANIC FERTILIZER PRODUCTION, AMONG OTHERS.  AS A RESULT, WE HAVE INCREASED PRODUCTION OF RICE BY 14 PERCENT, CORN BY 20 PERCENT, BANGUS BY TEN PERCENT AND HITO AND TILAPIA BY 25 PERCENT.

 

in partnership with the department of agriculture, we massively produced microbial fertilizer to supplement nitrogen requirement of crops AND facilitated the seed production and variety trial for rice.

OUR AGRICULTURE SUPPORT PROGRAMS SAVED 1,600 HECTARES OF CROPLAND FROM PESTS.  YOUR SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD PASSED THE BRONTISPA PREVENTION AND CONTROL ORDINANCE THAT EFFECTIVELY ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE INVASIVE COCONUT BEETLE.  THIS WILL SAVE OUR COCONUT INDUSTRY AS A MAJOR LIVELIHOOD SOURCE AND CASH CROP.

 

THE SINAWAL SMALL COCONUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE, A BENEFICIARY OF PHILIPPINE COCONUT AUTHORITY PROGRAM ON PRODUCTION OF COCONUT SUGAR, PRODUCES AS MUCH AS SIX  METRIC TONS OF COCONUT SAP PER MONTH FROM 3.5 HECTARE LAND PLANTED WITH HYBRID COCONUT.  BECAUSE OF THE EXPORT POTENTIAL OF THIS VENTURE, 168 GENERALS WERE TRAINED FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS LIVELIHOOD.

 

MOREOVER, OUR FARM HOME RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CONDUCTED 82 TRAININGS FOR 762 RURAL WOMEN FOCUSING ON FOOD AND NUTRITION, HOME MANAGEMENT, FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, BACKYARD FOOD PRODUCTION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.

 

our farm youth development program redispersed 21 animals and conducted 11 trainings for the rural youth.

 

IN SUPPORT TO OUR LIVELIHOOD ENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT OR LEAD PROGRAM WE ALLOCATED TWO MILLION PESOS AS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COOPERATIVES AND MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS AND CONDUCTED SKILLS TRAINING ON HOME-BASED LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS.

 

NAA’Y USA KA GRUPO SA MGA KABABAyEn-AN NGA NAHATAGAN UG BATH SOAP MAKING WORKSHOP.  KARON, NAA SILA’Y CONTRATA SA RD HOTELS NGA MAG-SUPPLY UG 4,000 BATH SOAPS.

 

ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS ENSURE THAT OUR FARMERS WILL HAVE BETTER AND HEALTHIER HARVESTS. AKO NAGTOO NGA KUNG DAGHAN ANG ANI DAKO USAB ANG KITA. BUSA IPADAYON NATO ANG ATONG NAGKAHIUSANG PANINGKAMUT ALANG SA KAAYUHAN SA AGRIKULTURA SA GENSAN.

 

IN LINE WITH OUR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION, OUR UNIQUE TUNA FESTIVAL WAS AMONG THOSE RECOGNIZED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF TOURISM OFFICERS OF THE PHILIPPINES AS “BEST TOURISM EVENT OF THE COUNTRY.”

 

moreover, we continually improved our local festivals such as the kalilangan, tuna and paskO sa gensan to make them world-class and competitive.  we intensified our wow image building program thru production of promo collaterals like the “galing gensan, galing gensan” advertisement.

 

INCIDENTALLY, WE WILL CELEBRATE OUR 69TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY VIA THE 2008 KALILANGAN WHICH WILL BE ON FEBRUARY 16 TO 27.  I INVITE ALL OF YOU TO TAKE PART IN THE FESTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCE ONCE AGAIN THE RICHNESS OF THE CITY’S CULTURE.

 

yaman gensan activities done in the last five years steadily increased the money in circulation in gensan during the business month; from mere 4 million pesos in 2003 to 59 million pesos in 2007.

 

a total of 49,000 delegates to conventions and exhibitions came to our city which is 12 percent higher than 2006.  our hotels have surely BENEFITED from the ten percent increase in their occupancy as compared to the previous year.

 

our local guests increased by 50 percent while our foreign guests increased by 116 percent.  incoming airline passengers increased by 61 percent or from 93,000 to 150,000 people.  who says then that nobody is coming to our city?  who says that people are scared of our city?  these NUMBERS speak for themselves, indeed!

 

BANKABILITY

 

All our efforts of improving the processes, fast tracking of delivery of services and enhancing efficiency of frontline offices have surely satisfied our constituents particularly the business sector.

 

i believe that it makes sense to reduce administrative and regulatory burdens on businesses because it builds confidence and encourages them to register, secure permits and pay taxes.

 

THE local revenues collected from the conduct of businesses, ownership of real properties and all other imposition of regulatory and miscellaneous FEES AMOUNTED to 247 MILLION PESOS in 2007.

 

By streamlining business permits and licensing procedures, informal businesses were encouraged to register, and new businesses were created resulting to more revenues.

 

THEREFORE, OUR local revenues TOGETHER WITH OUR INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT PROVIDES US WITH THE MONETARY RESOURCE OF 819.4 million pesos FOR 2007 priority programs, PROJECTS AND activities.

 

Investments in infrastructure projects OF 202 million pesos was used for projects like drainage systems, pavements and sidewalks, road opening, widening and concreting, bridges and approaches, traffic signal systems, street lights and facilities, electrical lines, water systems, transport sheds, improvement of parks, plazas and playgrounds, buildings and other structures such as hospitals and health centers.

 

Non-infra investments OF 49 million pesos was used for machineries and equipment, furniture, and fixtures, among others.

 

In addition, we provided funds to support the delivery of basic services in the areas of General Public Services, Health, Housing and Community Development, Social and Economic Services in the amount of 344 MILLION PESOS.

 

Public service delivery would not be possible without the dedication, commitment and support of the entire City Government bureaucracy for WHICH WE PROVIDED SOME 392 million PESOS FOR PERSONAL SERVICES.

 

Fiscal prudence dictates that money is judiciously spent, that budget allocations are applied wisely and that cost-to-benefit is in favor of the general public.

 

This policy is enshrined in the bureaucracy from procurement to disbursement under this administration and shall remain so because efficient fiscal management has far-reaching impact in improving the perception of constituents and betterment of the local business and investment climate.

 

The totality of all these efforts always LEAD to the creation of more employment opportunities, effective social service intervention and more benefits to our people.

 

LIVABILITY

 

SA AKO NANG GI-INGON, ANG MAKANUNAYONG PANINGKAMOT SA INYONG LOKAL NGA PANGGAMHANAN, SUGOD SA PAGLIMPYO SA MATANG SA PANGGOBYERNO HANGTOD SA PAGPALAMBO SA EKONOMIYA, ALANG SA SYUDAD UG ALANG KANINYO.  ARON ANG ATONG PINANGGA NGA GENERAL SANTOS MAHIMONG MALINAWON UG MALAMBUON NGA KOMUNIDAD KUNG DIIN ANG MGA TAO NGA GITAWAG NGA “GENERALS” MAHIMONG HIMSOG, MAPUSLANON, MATINUMANON SA BALAUD, UG DIOSNON KARON UG SA UMAABOT PANG MGA HENERASYON.

 

ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS CREATED TO ADDRESS POVERTY IS THE FAMILY RESOURCE ALLOCATION MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENT OR FRAME.  WE DO NOT LOOK AT OUR POOR CONSTITUENTS AS MERE RECIPIENTS OF AID AND DOLE-OUT BUT PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT.  THROUGH WEEKLY VALUE AND DIRECTIONAL SESSIONS THEY LEARN THE PRINCIPLES OF SYNERGY, FEAR OF GOD, AND THE VALUE OF SAVINGS.

 

I AM CONVINCED THAT THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY SHOULD BE FOUGHT WHERE IT ALL STARTS: IN THE MINDS OF OUR PEOPLE. OUR CONCRETE MULTI-SECTORAL COLLABORATION IS TRANSFORMING THE POOR TO BE BANKABLE.  BY DECEMBER 2007 THE F.R.A.M.E. FEDERATION OF 1,715 FAMILIES SAVINGS REACHED A TOTAL OF 1.6 MILLION PESOS. 

 

THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITIES AND ACT FOR PEACE PROGRAM GAVE A MATCHING GRANT OF 1.9 MILLION PESOS FOR 30 HOUSING UNITS FOR OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, WHICH WE WILL INAUGURATE NEXT WEEK AT FATALDAO, SAN JOSE.  EACH CONCRETE HOUSE COSTS 70 THOUSAND PESOS AND OUR FRAME SAVER’S EQUITY IS SIX THOUSAND PESOS.  THE FAMILIES WILL PAY THE HABITAT PROGRAM AT SIX HUNDRED PER MONTH FOR TEN YEARS.

 

INSPIRED BY THE VALUE OF SAVINGS AMONG OUR POOR, OUR FRAME PROGRAM HAS BEEN ADJUDGED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS ONE OF LGU’S BEST PRACTICES AND IS NOW PART OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACADEMY RESOURCES.

 

ALONG OUR PROGRAM FOR HELPING THE POOR BECOME BANKABLE, I AM PROUD TO REPORT THAT OUR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY WHO HAVE JOINED THE PWD MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE, AFTER LEARNING SOME TRADE SKILLS, NOW ENGAGE IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING SCHOOLS CHAIRS.  THE DEP-ED REGION 12 HAVE ENTRUSTED THIS PROJECT TO THEM WORTH FIVE MILLION PESOS.  THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REGION 12 HAS AN UPCOMING HOSPITAL LINEN AND GOWNS PRODUCTION PROJECT WORTH FIVE MILLION PESOS WHICH THEY PLAN TO AWARD TO OUR PWD’S.

 

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE IS MADE AVAILABLE TO COUPLES THROUGH THE PRE-MARRIAGE COUNSELING SESSIONS AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD.  THIS PROACTIVE APPROACH IN ADDRESSING FUTURE FAMILY PROBLEMS EMPOWERS COUPLE TO DECIDE ON THEIR FAMILY SIZE BASED ON THEIR BELIEFS AND FINANCIAL CAPACITIES.

 

BY THE END OF 2007, COUPLES WHO ATTENDED PRE-MARRIAGE COUNSELING TOTALED 2,353; AND CLOSE TO 27,000 PEOPLE HAD ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE THROUGH FAMILY PLANNING COUNSELING. 14, 056 PREGNANT WOMEN WERE GIVEN REGULAR PRENATAL SERVICES AND 10,383 OF THEM WERE GIVEN IMMUNIZATIONS, 6,126 WERE PROVIDED WITH REGULAR LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS, AND 6,017 WERE GIVEN MICRONUTRIENTS. WE HAVE FULLY IMMUNIZED SOME 12,000 CHILDREN AGED  0-5 YEARS.

 

IN OUR EFFORTS TO REDUCE MORBIDITY DUE TO AIR AND WATER BORNE DISEASES,  WE intensified water sampling and inspection and disinfection serving 1,138 households.  1,377 additional HOUSEHOLDS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO SANITARY TOILETS WITH SEPTIC TANKS.  WE ALSO CONDUCTED FOOD-HANDLERS ORIENTATION TO 37,704 PERSONS IN LINE WITH THE CAMPAIGN FOR WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION.

 

MY DIRECTION FOR OUR HEALTH SECTOR IS TO CONTINUALLY REFORM THE CITY HOSPITAL, STREAMLINE THE LYING-IN CENTERS OPERATIONS INTO BIRTHING HOMES, AND  STRENGTHEN THE FIELD HEALTH SERVICES.  WITH THIS DIRECTION WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAXIMIZE THE ALLOCATION OF OUR LIMITED RESOURCES AND MAKE THE SERVICES OF THESE THREE COMPLEMENTARY DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIVE TO THE REAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR PEOPLE.  WE WILL ALSO REALIZE MORE INCOME FROM OUR PHILHEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION CAPITATION FUND BY THEIR ACCREDITATION OF OUR HEALTH FACILITIES WITHIN THE YEAR.

 

AFTER SECURING THE APPROVAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BARANGAY CAPTAINS IN OUR DESIRE TO CONVERT THE LYING-IN CENTERS INTO BIRTHING HOMES AS MANDATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, I WILL SOON SUBMIT THE DRAFT ORDINANCE TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS RECOMMENDED BY THE LOCAL HEALTH BOARD.  MORE IMPORTANT HEALTH RELATED POLICIES ARE BEING CRAFTED BY THE BOARD TO SUPPORT OUR REFORMS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR, AND ONE OF THESE WILL BE THE ENACTMENT OF THE LOCAL HEALTH CODE.

 

ALONG THIS LINE, WE WILL EXPAND THE SERVICES OF THE BARANGAY HEALTH CENTERS BY MERGING THE LYING-IN PROGRAM, INCLUDING PERSONNEL AND BUDGET, TO THE SEVEN MAIN HEALTH CENTERS. THIS MOVE WILL MAKE MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS AND TREATMENT OF MINOR ILLNESSES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO OUR PEOPLE.

 

IN LINE WITH MY COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE FOR THE MAGNA CARTA BENEFITS OF OUR HEALTH WORKERS, WE HAVE PAID A TOTAL OF 19 MILLION PESOS. AND HOPEFULLY AS OUR FINANCES WILL ALLOW, WE WILL BE ABLE TO PAY THE UNPAID PORTION VERY SOON.

 

OUR CITY HOSPITAL SERVED 14,300 ADMITTED PATIENTS WHICH IS 40 PERCENT HIGHER THAN 2006.  OUR OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT ALMOST DOUBLED THE PATIENTS SERVED FROM 15,500 TO 32,000 THIS YEAR.    DESPITE THE DOUBLING IN THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS, WE HAVE DECREASED THE OVERALL MORTALITY RATE AT 4.4 PERCENT FROM 4.89 PERCENT LAST YEAR.  THIS IS WAY BELOW THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MORTALITY RATE STANDARD OF SEVEN PERCENT.  THIS ULTIMATE INDICATOR OF HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED DUE TO THE REFORMS THAT WE HAVE INSTITUTED IN OUR CITY HOSPITAL . ALSO, MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY CONFERENCES HAVE BECOME MORE FREQUENT TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE AND MANAGEMENT.

 

OUR HEALTH SECTOR MECHANISMS LIKE THE LOCAL HEALTH BOARD, THE THERAPEUTICS COMMITTEE AND THE SPECIAL ADVISORY TEAM FOR HEALTH SERVICES ARE VERY ACTIVE IN SUSTAINING OUR POLICIES AND REFORMS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR. 

 

WE OPENED A PATHOLOGIC NURSERY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL WATER DISTRICT. THIS VENTURE IS EXPECTED TO EXPAND FOR THE REDUCTION OF NEWBORN MORTALITY.

 

TO REDUCE MATERNAL AND CHILD MORTALITY, WE COMMISSIONED MORE OB-GYNE AND PEDIATRIC DOCTORS.  FOR THE CONTINUING REFORMS AND REHABILITATION OF OUR CITY HOSPITAL , WE ALLOCATED A BUDGET OF 100 MILLION PESOS THIS YEAR; AND PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FUNDS MANAGED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE FOR THE HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL NEEDS OF OUR INDIGENT PATIENTS.

 

OUR FREE UROLOGICAL SURGICAL OUTREACH PROGRAM SERVED TEN POOR PATIENTS AMOUNTING TO 600,000 PESOS WORTH OF MEDICAL SERVICES, IF DONE IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS.  THIS MARCH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHUCHI FOUNDATION, medical practitioner VOLUNTEERS, the filipino-chinese chamber of commerce AND THE GSC MEDICAL SOCIETY, WE WILL OFFER FREE SURGERIES IN THE CITY HOSPITAL FOR OUR INDIGENT PATIENTS.

 

OUR ANNUAL 4.4 MILLION PESO INVESTMENT IN THE HEALTH CARD DO NOT ONLY BENEFIT OUR PEOPLE BUT ALSO OUR PRIVATE HOSPITALS WHO ARE OUR ACTIVE PARTNERS IN HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY.  LAST YEAR PHILHEALTH PAID THEM 3.5 MILLION PESOS AS BENEFIT CLAIM FOR THEIR SERVICES TO OUR CARD HOLDERS.

 

I BELIEVE THAT, ONE OF THE BEST POVERTY ALLEVIATION TOOL IS A SOLID AND QUALITY EDUCATION. 

 

THE Total budget allocation for the special education fund is 61.2 million pesos.

 

some 41.5 million pesos were used for the salaries and benefits of 218 teachers. the 4.9 million pesos WERE used for the construction of schools BUILDINGS AND CLASSROOMS.

 

the 14.7 million pesos were for the maintenance and other operation expense, wHICH INCLUDES THE HONORARIA paid for 62 asatidz or teachers for the Arabic language and Islamic values education or the a.l.i.v.e. program for Muslim children.

 

WE CONTINUED OUR SUPPORT TO OUR CULTURAL AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE COMMUNITIES. PARTICULARLY, MADRASAH AS AN AID TO NON-FORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAM TO 2,500 STUDENT BY PROVIDING THE MONTHLY HONORARIUM OF 135 PARA-TEACHERS AND USTADZES.

 

we bought around 28 thousand sets and 22 thousand pieces of textbooks and instructional materials worth 8.5 million pesos for the department of education for the development of english reading and comprehension skills of our students through the local school board funds.

 

I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT OUR STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY, ESPECIALLY IN ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE has increased.

 

In the regional assessment for math, science and English or RAMSE for grade four STUDENTS, generals santos city consistently was the number 1 SINCE 2005; while OUR SECOND YEAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RANKED SECOND FROM BEING THE 8TH PLACER LAST SCHOOL YEAR.

 

our REGIONAL COMPARATIVE RESULTS in THE NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST put gensan in THE OVER-ALL THIRD PLACE FROM BEING THE 8TH IN 2006.

 

IN ORDER TO meet human power requirements for  SKILLED AND ICT ENABLED GRADUATES both in the local AND THE GLOBAL MARKETs, we CONTINUED to IMPLEMENT the Pang-“edukasyong Balangkas Aangat ang KABATAAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM” IN COORDINATION WITH PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. hence, 18 STUDENTs WERE GIVEN HALF SCHOLARSHIP ON A 4-YEAR COMPUTER COURSES BY THE AMA COMPUTER COLLEGE , 53 STUDENTS WERE GIVEN FULL SCHOLARSHIP ON VOCATIONAL COURSES BY PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY . AND THE LGU PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO 647 OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTHS. we encourage more private sector participation along THIS PROGRAM for the education of our poor but deserving YOUTH.

 

IN 2006, WE ALLOCATED 11.7 MILLION PESOS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 29 CLASSROOMS.  HOWEVER, ONLY 16 CLASSROOMS WERE COMPLETED IN LAGAO, LABANGAL, FATIMA , A.G. BUSANO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS, AND UPPER LABAY AND LANTON HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE AMOUNT OF 8.8 MILLION PESOS.  IN 2007, WE FORGED A COUNTERPARTING SCHEME WITH THE FILIPINO-CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 20 CLASSROOMS FOR THE PERIOD 2007-2009.  14 CLASSROOMS WORTH 4.5 MILLION PESOS WERE ALREADY COMPLETED FOR SPED INTEGRATED SCHOOL, HABITAT COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL , BALITE ELEMENTARY, SAN JOSE ELEMENTARY, AND BANISIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS .

 

Project for the enhancement and development of Reading Opportunities or PEDRO IS AN EARLY EDUCATION INTERVENTION TOOL FOR GRADE ONE ENTRANTS WITH NO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO BE ABLE TO COPE WITH BASIC EDUCATION.  AFTER ASSESSMENT OF 13,641 GRADE ONE ENTRANTS, ONLY 39 PERCENT WERE READY FOR THE PRIMARY BASIC CURRICULUM.  HOWEVER, THROUGH THE EIGHT-WEEK INTERVENTION PHASE OF THE PROJECT THE PERCENTAGE GREATLY INCREASED TO 78 PERCENT.  NOT ONLY ARE WE ENSURING THE QUALITY OF BASIC EDUCATION, WE ALSO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF OUR STUDENTS.

 

THE ADVANCING LEARNING USING ELECTRONIC RELEVANT TECHNOLOGIES OR ALERT, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED LAST SEPTEMBER IS A FLAGSHIP EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DEP. ED., USAID-GEM, AND THE PTCA OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY HIGH SCHOOL<