The Regional Development Updates (RDU) is the regular quarterly publication of RDC XII and NEDA XII containing development updates, news, reports and other relevant information on various activities of the Council, Local Government Units, Regional Line Agencies, State Universities and Colleges and Private Sector in the region.

1. DBM ASec Hamada Briefs RDC XII on Budget Reforms

2. 2 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2016
Editor-in-Chief
RD ARTURO G. VALERO
Associate Editor
ARD NOEL E. QUIRATMAN
Contributing Editors
JULIE ESPERANZA B. CHUNG
MARIA FELICIDAD R. GUERRERO
ROSA D. LEMANA
MA. LULU E. VALENCIA
JULIET G. BOLANDO
RDU Focal Persons
HELEN L. VESTAL
LALAINE M. SAJELAN
EDEN F. RIDAO
LIBERTY B. ARUMPAC
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
JUDD NICHOL L. LEONAR
Photographer
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Layout Artist
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Contributor
PIA XII
DAR-SK
PPA PMO SOCSARGEN
EDITORIAL BOARD
The Regional Development Updates
(RDU) is published quarterly by the Regional
Development Council (RDC) XII with
editorial office at the National Economic and
Development Authority Regional Office XII,
PrimeRegionalGovernmentCenter,Carpenter
Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato,
with Telephone No.: (083) 228-9203,
Fax: (083) 228-9203. The Editorial Board
reserves the right to edit the manuscript for
reasons of space and clarity. RDU assumes no
responsibility on unpublished and unsolicited
materials.
HOW TO REACH US
Do you have questions, comments or
suggestions? Send your letters with complete
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CONTENTS
PNVSCA Director De Vera Inducts
Region XII SUC Students to the
SOCCSKSARGEN Youth Volunteers
Green Leaders Group
DBM ASec Hamada Briefs RDC XII on
Budget Reforms
DAR-MinSAAD Officials Break
Ground for Coffee-Processing Facility
in Sultan Kudarat
Port of General Santos Passes
International Standards
RDC XII Commends Malungon
for Being the 1st
ZOD-Practicing
Municipality in Region XII
Our cover is the induction of the
youth volunteers as members of
the SOCCSKSARGEN Youth
Volunteers Green Leaders Group
by PNVSCA Executive Director
Joselito C. de Vera and the special
visit of DBM ASec Maxine Tanya
Hamada as Resource Speaker on
the Budget Reforms during the 53rd
RDC XII Meeting on March 30,
2016 in Koronadal City.
33
88
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77
Volume 14 | Issue No. 1 | January - March 2016
44
1212 Congresspersons Hernandez of South
Cotabato, Tejada of Cotabato Province
Attend the 2016 RDC XII AdCom
Meeting
South Cotabato Feted for
Solid Waste Management Action
66
NEDA XII Receives CSC XII
Recognition for PRIME-HRM Maturity
Level II
99

3. January - March 2016 | Regional Development Updates | 3
PNVSCA Director De Vera Inducts Region XII SUC
Students to the SOCCSKSARGEN Youth Volunteers
Green Leaders Group
RDC XII SOCCS ... page 4
By: Helen L. Vestal, NEDA XII-DRD
Koronadal City, South
Cotabato –Two hundred
thirty-three (233) college
students of three (3) state
universities and colleges
(SUCs) of SOCCSKSARGEN
Region, namely, University
of Southern Mindanao
(USM), Sultan Kudarat
State University (SKSU),
and Mindanao State
University-General Santos
City Campus (MSU-GSC),
were inducted as members
of the SOCCSKSARGEN
Youth Volunteers Green
Leaders Group during the
53rd
Regular Meeting of
the Regional Development
Council of SOCCSKSARGEN
Region (RDC XII) on March
30, 2016 at Villa Amor Hotel,
Koronadal City.
The students were enrolled in
the National Service Training
Program (NSTP) of the 3
SUCs, which incorporated the
SYVP, a program supported
by RDC XII as one strategy
for sustainable development
through RDC XII Resolution
No. 91, Series of 2014.
The program was rolled out
in USM, SKSU and MSU-GSC
Campus in July 2015.
The inclusion of the SYVP
in the NSTP involved
the conduct of volunteer
community work in identified
poor barangays of Region XII near
the SUC campuses.
The students now form the initial
members of the SOCCSKSARGEN
Youth Volunteers Green Leaders
Group which is primarily aimed at
promoting the spirit of volunteerism
in development work in the region,
starting with the young generation.
Executive Director Joselito C. de
Vera of the Philippine National
Volunteer Service Coordinating
Agency (PNVSCA) inducted the youth
volunteers as members of the said
volunteer group.
De Vera expressed his appreciation
to the Council for spearheading
and supporting the SYVP. “This
program is one of its kind which is
worth replicating in other regions
of the country. These youths are the
new generation of volunteers who
share their part in making a better
SOCCSKSARGEN,” he said.
USM President Dr. Francisco Gil N.
Garcia and SKSU President
Dr. Rolando F. Hechanova,
also thanked the Council
for appreciating their
universities’ contribution to
the implementation of the
RDC XII SYVP.
Preceding the induction,
de Vera visited SKSU in
Tacurong City campus where
he was briefed on how the
volunteerism concept was
integrated and actually
executed in the NSTP course
of the university. For its
sustainability, the youth
volunteers organized the
SOCCSKSARGEN Youth
Volunteers Organization
(SYVO) with student
volunteers as its members.
Considering that the said
organization is still on its
infant stage, the youth
volunteer leaders expressed
their need for support from
the university administration
Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera of the PNVSCA inducted the youth volunteers as
members of the SOCCSKSARGEN Youth Volunteers Green Leaders Group.

4. 4 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2016
RDC XII SOCCS ... from page 3
and other concerned entities,
in terms of guidance in fund
sourcing for their community
works and areas of concerns
where they can share volunteer
works.
Director de Vera responded that
the organization of the SYVO in
the University is one concrete
action to sustain the program.
“It is good to note that we
have youth volunteers like you,
who unselfishly share your
skills and serve those in need
even in a little way and with
limited resources. For now, it
is essential for you to link with
and even work with the entities
doing volunteer works in the
areas,” de Vera said.
Dr. Mary Lynn G. Magbanua,
Vice President for Research and
Extension of SKSU, advised the
youth to closely coordinate with
the University Extension Office
for guidelines to access funding
assistance for projects they can
identify for poor barangays.
She clarified that projects for
funding assistance from her
office are all proposal-based.
This means they have to prepare
a project proposal which will
undergo review and evaluation
before they can access the said
funding support. In addition,
she emphasized the need for
them to properly linked with
government/non-government
offices whose mandate is to
provide assistance to affected
population, where they can
extend volunteer works.
Volunteerism is now considered
part of the NSTP curriculum of
the three universities in Region
XII.
DBM ASec Hamada Briefs RDC
XII on Budget Reforms
By: Rosa D. Lemana, NEDA XII-DRD
Koronadal City, South
Cotabato – Assistant Secretary
(ASec) Maxine Tanya Hamada
of the Department of Budget
and Management briefed
the members of the Regional
Development Council (RDC) XII
on budget reforms during the
53rd
RDC XII Regular Meeting
on March 30, 2016 held at Villa
Amor Hotel, Koronadal City.
ASec Hamada, who assisted
in the setting up of the
Performance Budgeting,
Monitoring and Evaluation
Framework, discussed good
governance through budget
reforms. “Good governance
means benefits for our people,”
she said. “And as part of the
pursuit of sustained inclusive
growth, the national budget
has nearly doubled in six years
from P1.541 trillion in 2010 to
P3.002 trillion in 2016.”
She stressed that budget
reforms include alignment
of spending priorities and
measurable performance and
focus on expanding inclusive
growth, strengthening of local
chief executives to deliver
frontline services based on
performance and accountability,
and empowering the citizens
to hold government units
accountable for performing
their respective roles.
The said budget reforms are
being implemented through
programs that strengthen
LGUs’ delivery capacity and
accountability, such as the LGU
Public Financial Management
Program, the Seal of Good Local
Governance, the Performance
Challenge Fund, and the
Bottom-Up Budgeting.
ASec Hamada also shared that
the 2016 budget allocation
for these performance-based
programs are being downloaded
to LGUs. This means that LGUs
are empowered to implement
key national programs for their
constituents while making them
more accountable for the proper
use of funds and the results
delivered.
A total of P18.2 billion have
been allocated for these
programs, disaggregated as
follows: P11.7 billion for BuB
projects and P6.5 billion for the
rehabilitation and upgrading of
provincial roads.
In the case of BuB, LGUs
are required to engage civil
society organizations, meet
good financial housekeeping
requirements, submit quarterly
reports to DBM and Congress,
and update the project status
through the Open BuB Portal.
In order for LGUs to avail
of funds for provincial road
projects, the following should

5. January - March 2016 | Regional Development Updates | 5
be satisfied: provincial
road network plan
and other reports at
the start of the Fiscal
Year; LGU Public
Financial Management
assessment report;
submission of quarterly reports
to DBM and Congress; and
updating of project status
through the Open Roads Portal.
The portal shows the status of
proposals and the compliance to
reports required. Such reform
also indicates enhancements
in open budget index which
is being watched by the
international
community as basis for rating
upgrade. In 2015, the country’s
open budget index was 63 and
this is targeted to improve to
71 in 2017 and to 81 by 2019,
provided that such budget
reforms will be implemented
across administrations.
The implementation of budget
reforms will result to RDCs
playing a significant role in the
review of programs and
projects. “The RDCs, LGUs,
CSOs, Student/Faculty
Associations and PASUC,
and other stakeholders,
shall be consulted on the
proposed strategies of the
agency for new and expanded
programs and projects in
the specific provinces, cities
and municipalities,” Hamada
(L-R) DBM XII Regional Director Akmad J. Usman, DBM ASec Maxine Tanya Hamada,
and NEDA XII Regional Director and Acting RDC XII Chairperson Arturo G. Valero
during the 53rd
RDC XII Meeting in Koronadal City.
explained.
“The National Government
actually likes to let go of a lot of
funds for frontline services. The
people who best know what to
do and how best to do it and can
watch the funds are those in the
frontlines,” she said.
DBM Asec Maxine Tanya Hamada answered questions from RDC XII members
during the Open Forum after the briefing on Budget Reforms on March 30, 2016 at
Villa Amor Hotel, Koronadal City.

6. 6 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2016
Koronadal City, South Cotabato
- South Cotabato has received
recognition for its exemplary
performance in solid waste
management.
On February 15, 2016,
representatives of the
Environmental Management
Bureau XII handed to South
Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-
Fuentes a plaque of recognition
from the National Solid Waste
Management Commission
(NSWMC).
The NSWMC recognizes South
Cotabato for its “exceptional
contribution exemplifying the
support of the local government
unit in complying with the
implementation of the Ecological
Solid Waste Management Act
of 2000 (R.A. 9003), specifically
the submission and subsequent
approval of the 10-Year Solid
Waste Management Plan.”
Dominador Samilin of EMB
XII noted that South Cotabato
South Cotabato Feted for
Solid Waste Management Action
By: Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII
and its 10 municipalities
and lone city simultaneously
approved their respective solid
waste management plans, which
gained the appreciation of the
NSWMC.
Meanwhile, the Regional
Development Council XII passed
Resolution No. 97, Series of 2015
“commending the Province of
South Cotabato and component
city and municipalities for the
successful implementation of
their respective provincial,
city and municipal solid waste
management plans and enjoining
other local government units
in Region 12 to implement
their respective solid waste
management plans.”
In her response, Gov. Fuentes
thanked the NSWMC and
RDC XII for acknowledging the
provincial government’s efforts.
“This is heartening because
they said that in the entire
country only two provinces
were accorded this recognition,”
Fuentes said.
However, she expressed concern
that while the entire province
was given such a recognition,
its component city Koronadal,
is among the 50 LGUs that the
Office of the Ombudsman has
filed complaints against for not
complying with the RA 9003.
Koronadal City has not yet
established its own sanitary
landfill.
Gov. Fuentes said the city has
not signed a memorandum
of agreement with the upper
valley municipalities when these
constructed a clustered sanitary
landfill that she noted saved the
LGUs from the Ombudsman
case.
The clustered sanitary landfill in
Colongulo, Surallah was opened
in 2013. It is being shared by
the municipalities of Surallah,
Banga, Norala, Tboli and Lake
Sebu,
Koronadal and the 49 other
LGUs facing complaints at the
Ombudsman will be required
to develop six-month Priority
Corrective Action Plans (PCAPs).
If they fail to submit PCAPs,
the said LGUs could face a
full-blown investigation.
The six-hectare sanitary
landfill in Barangay
Colungulo,Surallah,
South Cotabato is shared
by the municipalities of
Banga, Surallah, T’boli,
and Lake Sebu.
Photo Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com

7. January - March 2016 | Regional Development Updates | 7
Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan
Kudarat – Officials broke
ground for the first coffee-
processing building with a solar
dryer on March 4, 2016, in
Barangay Kuden, Senator Ninoy
Aquino (SNA) town in Sultan
Kudarat province.
“This project is inclusive of
coffee-processing equipment
and facilities. The money was
already downloaded to the local
government unit of SNA,”
said Engr. Adriano Losaria the
Municipal Agrarian Reform
Program Officer (MARPO).
Losaria added that this is an
effort to put more money in the
pockets of the agrarian reform
beneficiaries (ARBs).
The P 1.17-million, 36-square-
meter building with a 180-square-
meter solar dryer project of the
Department of Agrarian Reform
- Mindanao Sustainable Agrarian
and Agriculture Development
Project (DAR-MinSAAD) is
expected to be completed on June
30, 2016.
MinSAAD Project Manager
Cenon Original said that once
completed, the building will help
increase the competitiveness and
sustainability of coffee products in
Barangay Kuden.
“The local farmers are already
DAR-MinSAAD Officials Break Ground for
Coffee-Processing Facility in Sultan Kudarat
By: JJB Dael, DAR-SK/AC Agad, PIA XII
producing coffee and this project
will increase its value,” he added.
Kuden Women’s Association
President Merlinda Bautista
expressed her gratitude to DAR
for making the project a reality.
As she mumbled in vernacular
– Ilonngo, “amoni ang amon
gikinahanglan na proyekto dire sa
amon barangay,” she said. (This
is the project that we need in our
barangay.)
“Ini na proyekto makahatag
sang dako na bulig sa amon
organisasyon kag miyembro,
kasali na ang dili man miyembro,”
she added. (This project will be
a big help to our organization
and members and even to non-
members.)
MARPO Losaria said that there
are also other agricultural support
projects lined-up for Barangay
Kuden for this year.
“This will be for the improvement
of the lives of the ARBs and their
families,” Engr. Losaria added.
In January this year, DAR-
MinSAAD also broke ground for
a 360-square-meter solar dryer
in Barangays Tinalon and Nati in
SNA.
MinSAAD Project Manager Cenon Original (in blue polo) and Municipal Mayor Dante
Manganaan (in yellow shirt) led the groundbreaking rites of the coffee processing
building with solar drier in Barangay Kuden, Senator Ninoy Aquino.
Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

8. 8 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2016
Port of General Santos Passes
International Standards
(L-R) The Makar Wharf Western view and the Makar Wharf container yard in General Santos City.
General Santos City – The
port of General Santos City in
SOCCSKSARGEN Region scored
a grand slam in its compliance
with international standards
on port safety, health and
environment management, and
port security.
The Port Safety, Health and
Environmental Management
System (PSHEMS) in the port of
General Santos City passed the
external audit conducted by the
Partnership in Environmental
Management for the Seas of East
Asia (PEMSEA) on December
10-11, 2015.
GenSan’s PSHEMS, a
By: Fernando B. Mapalo, Jr., PPA-PMO-SOCSARGEN/Apollo Y. Manlawe, NEDA XII-DRD
management system that
facilitates efficient, safe, secure
and environment-friendly
movement of cargoes, was
recommended for international
recognition by the PEMSEA.
The system is based on the
requirement of the PSHEMS
Code developed by PEMSEA
and implemented by the Port
Management Office (PMO)
SOCSARGEN of the Philippine
Ports Authority.
On December 15, 2015,
the Philippine Office of
Transportation Security (OTS)
and the International Port
Security Programme-United
States Coast Guard (IPSP-USCG)
conducted a joint verification
audit of the International Ship
and Port Facility Security (ISPS)
Code implementation in the
port.
The OTS and IPSP-USCG found
the ISPS Standard Operating
Procedures consistent with the
port facility security Plan and
compliant with the ISPS Code.
The findings of the audit
attested the international
standard of port security
measures of the Gen. Santos
port. The result means that
goods and cargoes from the
said port shall continue to
have access to the ports in the
United States, as well as other
international ports operating
under the ISPS Code.
On February 12, 2016, the TUV
Rheinland, Philippines re-
certified the PMO SOCSARGEN
to ISO 9001:2008 for a period of
three (3) years starting CY 2016.
As “ISO 9001 Certified,” the
GenSan port has met the
requirements on meeting
customer expectations. It
covers core business processes
in entrance formalities,
assessment and collection of
vessel charges and departure
clearance. Such service standard
has translated into higher
revenues for GenSan port.
The Makar Wharf transit sheds in
General Santos City.

9. January - March 2016 | Regional Development Updates | 9
NEDA XII Receives CSC XII Recognition for
PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II
By: Lalaine M. Sajelan, NEDA XII-FAD
Koronadal City, South Cotabato
– The NEDA Regional Office
(NRO) XII was awarded a
Certificate of Recognition from
the Civil Service Commission
Regional Office XII for having
met the Maturity Level 2 standard
requirements of the Program to
Institutionalize Meritocracy and
Excellence in Human Resource
Management (PRIME-HRM)
on 24 February 2016, 9:00 AM,
at Villa Princessita, Koronadal
City. The award was received
by Regional Director Arturo G.
Valero, together with Assistant
Regional Director Noel E.
Quiratman, NRO XII PMT Chair,
Chief Administrative Officer
Julie Esperanza B. Chung and
Supervising Administrative
Officer Lalaine M. Sajelan.
Other PRIME-HRM awardees
from SOCCSKSARGEN
Region, specifically in the area of
Performance Management System
(PMS), were the Department
of Education XII, Department
of Labor and Employment XII,
Department of Trade and Industry
XII, Provincial Government of
South Cotabato, Polomolok Water
District, Municipality of Banga,
City Government of Tacurong,
Sultan Kudarat Water District,
City Government of Kidapawan,
Municipality of Mlang, City
Government of General Santos,
and General Santos City Water
District.
In her welcome remarks, Director
Venus O. Bumanlag of the CSC-
South Cotabato Field Office
congratulated the awardees and
shared that the PRIME-HRM
journey was not “an ordinary walk
in the park” for they have to pass
a series of validations for Maturity
Level II of the Process-Defined
HRM. She labeled the awardees
as “The Magnificent 13” of the
region.
The Regional Director of the
Civil Service Commission XII,
Grace Belgado-Saqueton, in her
message, expressed appreciation
on the achievement of the thirteen
awardees. She added that the feat
is something to be proud of by the
awardees since only 13, out of the
175 agencies in the region, have
met the standard requirements of
Maturity Level 2.
Director Saqueton challenged the
awardees to dream big and target
the Maturity Level 3-Integrated
HRM including other areas such
as recruitment and selection,
learning and development,
and recognition, awards and
incentives.
The officials representing the
agencies-awardees also gave
brief messages. The recognition
program was capped by the
recitation and signing of the
pledge of commitment and
support to PRIME-HRM which
was led by RD Valero.
RD Grace Belgado-Saqueton of CSC XII awarded the Certificate of Recognition to RD Arturo G. Valero of NEDA XII for having met
the Maturity Level 2 standard requirement of the Program. Also in picture are (L-R) Lalaine M. Sajelan, Supervising Administrative
Officer; Julie Esperanza B. Chung, Chief Administrative Officer, and; ARD Noel E. Quiratman, all from NEDA XII.
RD Valero led the signing of the pledge
of support and commitment to the
implementation of PRIME-HRM.

10. 10 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2016
RDC XII Commends Malungon for Being the
1st ZOD-Practicing Municipality in Region XII
By: Eden F. Ridao, NEDA XII-DRD
Koronadal City, South
Cotabato – The Regional
Development Council (RDC)
XII, during its 53rd
Regular
Meeting on 30 March 2016 in
Koronadal City, commended
the Municipality of Malungon,
Sarangani, for being the first
Zero Open Defecation (ZOD)
Practicing Municipality in
Region XII and for being
one of the eleven (11) ZOD
municipalities in the country.
The commendation was
bestowed by the Council
to Malungon upon the
recommendation of the
Regional Social Development
Committee (RSDC) XII. A Plaque
of Recognition will be awarded
to the municipality during the
next quarter meeting of RDC XII.
According to Dr. Amebella G.
Taruc of DOH XII, Malungon
was declared by the Provincial
Government of Sarangani
as its first ZOD-Practicing
Municipality on March 25,
2015. The said declaration was
attested by the Department
of Health (DOH) XII, which
consequently recognized
Malungon as the first ZOD-
Practicing Municipality in the
region.
During the first Sanitation
Learning Exchange (SANLEX
2016) conducted by DOH on
28 January 2016 in Quezon
City, DOH Secretary Janette L.
Garin also awarded a Certificate
of Recognition to Malungon
for being among the eleven
(11) ZOD Municipalities in the
country.
“Health and sanitation are
among the priority programs
of Malungon Mayor Reynaldo F.
Constantino since his first term
in CY 2007,” Dr. Taruc stressed
in her report during the 1st
Quarter Meeting of RSDC XII.
“Malungon’s becoming the first
ZOD-Practicing Municipality of
Sarangani was mainly due to the
implementation of the Water
and Sanitation Program of the
World Bank (WSP-WB) starting
in the last quarter of CY 2013.”
Prior to the WSP-WB, Malungon
had 1,832 households or 9.09
percent of its total households
without access to sanitary
toilets. In addition, only 75
percent of its total households
had access to safe drinking
water. With the assistance of
WSP-WB, the Municipality’s ZOD
2014 was launched and became
the focused program of the
Municipality to achieve having
100 percent of all households
with access to sanitary toilet
facility before the year’s end.
Malungon’s ZOD 2014 target,
however, was not achieved
before end of December 2014
but only within the first quarter
of 2015. Nonetheless, it was
Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino receives Resolution No.2015-8-035 declaring
Malungon as the first Zero Open Defecation (100%Access to Sanitary Toilet) Practicing
Municipality in the Province of Sarangani during the Municipal Health and Sanitation
Summit Year-2 at Green Leaf Hotel on March 26-27, 2015 from Governor Steve
Chiongbian Solon and Board Member Elmer de Peralta, chairman of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan Committee on Health. (Photo Source: http://saranganitoday.blogspot.com)

11. January - March 2016 | Regional Development Updates | 11
2017 was presented to which
the Congresspersons expressed
their full support. They advised
the agencies, however, to
consider fair distribution of
programs, projects and activities
to all congressional districts and
for them to closely coordinate
with the congresspersons’
offices to ensure that the
priority needs are fully
addressed.
With regard to the
congresspersons’ priority
PPAs and policies for 2017,
Cong. Hernandez expressed his
desire to continue the present
administration’s thrusts of
good governance and complete
all projects if started. He
advised the agencies to closely
coordinate with the region’s
representatives for their
projects and other development
concerns for the region.
Cong. Tejada, on the other hand,
committed to study the effects
of collecting high real property
taxes. As representative of
the 3rd district of Cotabato
Province, he observed his
district has lesser project
proposals compared with
other districts. Being a new
congressional district, he called
on the different regional line
agencies to prioritize his district
in the distribution of projects.
Atty. Paolo Acharon, who
represented Cong. Pedro B.
Acharon, Jr., informed the body
that Cong. Acharon will continue
to focus on social services,
i.e., health, social welfare and
education. He emphasized the
need to increase scholarship
allocations every year to
accommodate the growing
number of scholars in the 1st
District of South Cotabato,
which includes Gen. Santos City.
Health programs will also have
to be expanded to serve more
indigent patients.
In closing, the two
congresspersons expressed
support to all development
undertakings in the region and
in future activities of RDC XII if
they get reelected for another
term.
Congressperson ... from page 12
enough to make Malungon as
Sarangani‘s first ZOD-practicing
municipality.
Dr. Taruc further shared that,
“aside from the strong political
will of Mayor Constantino,
Malungon implemented
the following strategies/
interventions, namely: a)
provision of free toilet bowls to
the households with no toilet
facilities; b) integration of
health and sanitation practices
advocacy during the weekly
Lingap sa Barangay activities
of the Municipality’s officials
and staff; c) mainstreaming
of the ZOD Program by Mayor
Constantino in all his speeches
in the municipality and even
in barangays; d) conduct of
regular consultation meetings
with health workers, barangay
officials, and other stakeholders;
e) creation of the Municipal
Sanitation Technical Working
Group and the Municipal
Convergence Advisory
Committee (MCAC) for the ZOD
Program; f) conduct of Health
and Sanitation Summit and
a Program Implementation
Review (PIR); g) awarding of
monetary incentives to the first
three (3) ZOD barangays in the
Municipality; and, h) issuance
of summons by the Municipal
Mayor to the remaining
households with no access to
toilet facility.”
Malungon is now working
toward satisfying the various
criteria set by DOH in
maintaining its ZOD status and
achieving Grades 2 and 3 levels
relative to health and sanitation
practices.

12. Congresspersons Hernandez of South
Cotabato, Tejada of Cotabato Province
Attend the 2016 RDC XII AdCom Meeting
Koronadal City, South
Cotabato - Region XII
Congresspersons Ferdinand L.
Hernandez of the 2nd
District
of South Cotabato and Jose
I. Tejada of the 3rd
District of
Cotabato Province graced
the Regional Development
Council XII Advisory Committee
(RDC XII AdCom) meeting on
February 26, 2016 at The Farm
@ Carpenter Hill, Koronadal
City.
Cong. Hernandez, who
served as the convenor of all
Congresspersons in Region XII,
presided over the meeting on
behalf of RD Arturo G. Valero,
the Acting Chairperson of RDC
XII who, was attending another
equally important activity
involving Mindanao officials.
The RDC XII AdCom meeting is
a venue where RDC XII and the
region’s members of the House
of Representatives, discuss
regional development concerns
which need the congresspersons
support.
As provided for in EO 325, the
Advisory Committee is expected
to advise, assist and support the
RDC in discharging its functions,
particularly supporting policy
recommendations that need
legislation and/or action of the
President or the Cabinet.
Congressperson Hernandez
said he was glad to see the
AdCom members and other
government officials in the
meeting. He thanked them for
coming so that “we can discuss
our development efforts and
concerns for the region.” He
further informed the body that
“most of the projects lined
up and discussed during the
previous AdCom meetings
are now funded, some have
been completed, while others
are ongoing and expected to
be completed within 2016.
These projects open up new
investment opportunities for
the whole region.”
In particular, Cong. Hernandez
mentioned the funding
assistance the region received
for the upgrading of the Makar
Wharf, improvement of the
GenSan Airport, concreting
of the Lake Sebu-Maitum-
General Santos City road, and
the agricultural enhancement-
related programs.
The RDC XII-approved
SOCCSKSARGEN Annual
Investment Program for CY
Congressperson Hernandez informed
the body that “most of the projects lined
up and discussed during the previous
AdCom Meeting are now funded, some
have been completed, while others are
ongoing and expected to be completed
within 2016.“
12 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2016
Congressperson Tejada of the 3rd district
of Cotabato Province, committed to
study the effects of collecting high real
property taxes.
Congressperson ... page 11
By: Helen L. Vestal, NEDA XII-DRD