Month: March 2021

NCIP, DOT’s “Epanaw” books highlighting IP’s significant journey launched in Kidapawan City

(KIDAPAWAN CITY, March 23, 2021) – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched “Epanaw”, a three-coffee table book that feature and highlight the lives, rich culture and tradition, beliefs, and important festivities of the Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous Cultural Communities in the various parts of the country.

In Kidapawan City, the launching was conducted at the Kidapawan City Hall Mega Tent at exactly 2:30 PM on Monday, March 22, 2021along with photo exhibits featuring the IPs and ICCs.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples 12 Regional Director Jeanne Anne Moendeg- Zoilo, said that “Epanaw” a term used by many ethnographic groups in different regions means journey and is highlighted through the three books particularly the long travel of the ethnic tribes and cultures in many years and the challenges besetting them up to the present.

Moreover, “Epanaw” is created to make the people understand deeper the culture of IP as they go along and exist from one generation to another that is considered to be a milestone for the IPs.

The three books of “Epanaw” consist of “Pagkilala”, the first volume; where the objective is let the people learn and appreciate the lives of the IPs and their ancestral lands where they all came from.   The second volume is “Paggalang”, where the objective is that after people learn about the lives of Ips, there will be a sense of respect for every ritual, festival, culture and tradition, as well as the customary system of the tribes. The third volume is called “Pagtataguyod” which indulges appreciation and support to the places that are considered as tourist attractions and destinations. In this third and last volume of “Epanaw”, the community is highly encouraged to be part of the development of these places and also its preservation all for the well-being of the IP communities.

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista expressed gladness towards the NCIP-DOT project and said that as a strong partner, the City Government is very enthusiastic to be a part of this endeavor which does not only promotes the rich culture and tradition of but also paves the way for utmost respect towards the IPs.

“The City Government of Kidapawan is one in promoting and preserving the vast culture and tradition of the IP and in doing so we embrace the framework of the “Epanaw” which will strengthen our ties and relations with IP communities.   

Those who graced the launching include National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) 12 Regional Director Eduardo Marquez, Provincial Advisory Council Member Atty. Ermelo Libre who represented Cotabato Provincial Governor Nancy Catamco, Indigenous Peoples Education Provincial Focal Person Jeniz Evangelio, Provincial IP Affairs Coordinator Bae Leah A. Labrador, Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative and Ex Oficio Provincial Board Member Jaime Odo, City Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative and Ex Oficio City Council Member Radin Igwas, Provincial Public Affairs Assistance Tourism Sports and Development Division (PAATSDD) Head Josephine Abellana, some city officials and representatives from various government line agencies, tribal leaders and representatives and other stakeholders. After the ribbon-cutting the participants proceeded to the photo exhibits right at the front of the City Hall to where timeless photos of IPs and ICCs where displayed. (CIO-AJPME/JSCJ)

Ginanap ang kauna-unahang City Peace and Order Council meeting sa Convention Hall kahapon, araw ng Lunes, March 22, 2021. Pinangunahan ni Kidapawan City Mayor at CPOC Chairman Joseph A. Evangelista ang naturang pulong na dinaluhan ng mga heads of offices ng City Government of Kidapawan, mga government agencies na nakabase sa lungsod, AFP, PNP, BFP, BJMP, PDEA, DILG, DTI, at iba pa na pawang nagbigay ng mga ulat o update mula sa kanilang mga tanggapan kabilang na ang mga ipinatutupad na programa at inisyatiba.

Mahalaga naman ang CPOC meeting upang mapag-alaman ang kalagayan ng peace and order sa lungsod at mapalakas ang ugnayan ng bawat tanggapan, ayon kay Mayor Evangelista.

Sa naturang pagkakataon, ibinahagi ng 72nd IB ng Philippine Army sa pamamagitan ni Captain Jose Bernie H. Senobir ang kanilang patuloy na pagbabantay sa mga bayan na kabilang sa kanilang area of responsibility tulad ng President Roxas, Antipas, Arakan, at ang Kidapawan City.

Iniulat naman ng Kidapawan City PNP sa pamamagitan ni PLT. Col Ramel Hojilla ang mga programa ng kapulisan na magpapalakas ng ugnayan sa mga barangay gayan ng Kapehan sa Barangay at iba pa.

Ayon naman kay Kidapawan City Fire Marshall Leilani L. Bangelis, tuluy-tuloy lang ang BFP Kidapawan sa mga aktibidad na nakapaloob sa Fire Prevention Month ngayong Marso tulad ng information dissemination at regular inspection. Nagbigay din ng kanilang presentasyon ang PDEA sa pamamagitan ni PDEA Provincial Director Neil Liansing at BJMP mula naman kay SJ04 Roy C. Hernandez na nakatuon sa pagpapalakas ng kampanya laban sa illegal drugs at mga reporma upang maging mas maayos ang pagpapatakbo ng piitan.

Kaugnay nito, magdaragdag naman ng ponding abot sa P300,000 ang City Government para sa BFP Kidapawan na gagamitin sa pagbili ng gasolina at dagdag na pasilidad naman para makatulong sa operasyon ng PDEA. Partikular ding pinanawagan sa pulong ang pagpapanatili ng minimum health protocols sa lahat ng tanggapan upang makaiwas sa Covid-19 kahit pa nagsimula na ang rollout ng bakuna sa lungsod. (CIO-AJPME/jscj)

PANSAMANTALA munang pai-ikliin ng Comelec ang oras ng Voter Registration sa buong bansa simula March 22, 2021 hanggang April 4, 2021.

Alinsunod ito sa Memorandum Circular number 85 s. 2021 na inisyu ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, kung saan ay pinaaga ang pagsasara ng voter registration at pagpapaliban sa mga satellite registration sa buong bansa dahil na rin sa pagtaas muli ng kaso ng Covid19.

Simula March 22, tatanggap ng mga magpaparehistrong botante ang Comelec mula alas otso ng umaga hanggang alas tres ng hapon mga araw ng Lunes hanggang Huwebes.

Hanggang alas singko naman ng hapon ang pagbibigay ng voter certification sa mga nabanggit na araw na bukas ang Comelec.

Sarado ang lahat ng tanggapan ng Comelec sa araw ng Biyernes para sa disinfection at pati na rin sa weekends.

Hindi rin muna gagawin ang voter satellite registration sa mga barangay hall, day care centers at ilang pampublikong lugar alinsunod sa kautusan ng ahensya.

Pinapayuhan naman ng Comelec yaong mga nagpa book na ng kanilang registration sa mga araw na sarado ang mga opisina nito na makipag-ugnayan sa mga local election officers upang mabigyan ng bagong schedule sa pagpapatala.

Sa Kidapawan City, pinapayuhan pa rin ang lahat na sumunod sa mga minimum health protocols gaya ng pagsusuot ng face mask at face shields, thermal scanning, pagdadala ng CCTS QR Code, pagdadala ng sariling ballpen at thermal scanning kapag papasok sa tanggapan ng City Comelec.

Magtatagal hanggang September 30, 2021 ang kasalukuyang voter registration para sa gaganaping National and Local Election sa buwan ng Mayo 2022. ##(CIO)

City Government of Kidapawan brings home two distressed OFW’s from KSA

KIDAPAWAN CITY (March 16, 2021) – The Covid-19 pandemic and the global lockdown and economic slowdown it caused has affected so many people around the world. This negative situation is experienced by different nationalities including many Filipinos working abroad. 

Two OFWs from Kidapawan City – Nelba Desabille and Daylin Havana were not exempted from this circumstance and had experienced different problems abroad during the pandemic. Worried, their families sought the help of the City Government so that they can communicate with the two and to possibly find ways bring them back home in the city.

Desabille, a resident of Barangay Sibawan suffered a stroke while working in Riyadh last year. She was taken to hospital by her employer who happens to be a doctor and shouldered her hospitalization expenses.

The main problem of Desabille’s family is they do not have any communication with her and would like to know how was she doing after her stroke.

On the other hand, Havana, a resident of Barangay Mateo was much affected by the pandemic as she was not receiving any salary for 6 months when the pandemic occurred. She was transferred by her employer to work for a family in Jeddah but things were still uncertain for her.

Upon learning their situation, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista responded and immediately tasked Aida Labina, Focal Person on OFW concerns to look for ways to contact the two Kidapawenos through their agencies and employers as well.

Labina then facilitated the communication with the help of other concerned government agencies including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and was able to get in touch with the employers and eventually with Desabille and Daylin.

The two has arrived in Kidapawan City and were finally reunited with their respective families, Havana on March 3, 2021 and Desabille on March 10, 2021.

During their visit to the office of Mayor Evangelista, Desabille and Havana both thanked the mayor for responding immediately to their problems and exhausted all means to bring them back home.

“Daku akong pasalamat kang Mayor Evangelista sa iyahang paspas nga aksyon ug tabang para makauli ko ug tarong. Salamat pud kang mam Labina sa paningkamot nga makontak ako sa akuang pamilya”, said Desabille.

She added that the mayor has already helped her even before she left to work as a household helper in KSA and was very grateful to all the efforts extended to her adding that even her employer was impressed by the action of Mayor Evangelista to help her.

For her part, Havana said she needed to work abroad to support her special child and to be able to meet both ends while working also as household helper.

“Una sa tanan nagapasalamat ako sa Diyos na nakauli ako nga buhi ug kang Mayor Evangelista sa iyahang paspas nga aksyon nga maka-communicate ako sa akuang mga mahal sa kinabuhi ug naka uli dyud ako sa akong pamilya diri sa dakbayan.”

She further said that things became very difficult especially during the lockdowns as she was not receiving any salary for six months and now that she is back at home, she can only express how grateful she was to the City Government. 

Both Desabille and Havana received some cash assistance from the City Government of Kidapawan which they can use for their daily needs. (CIO-AJPME/JSCJ)

PINANGUNAHAN NI City Mayor Joseph Evangelista ang pamimigay ng ayuda sa mga vendors ng Mega Market na lubhang naapektuhan ng Covid19 pandemic.

Nagmula ang ayuda sa pondo ni Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘BONG’ Go na kanyang ipinadaan sa DSWD para matulungan ang mga maliliit na vendors ng Pamilihang Bayan na makaagapay at makatawid sa panahon ng krisis.

Sa isang video message ng senador, pinasalamatan niya sina Mayor Evangelista, city officials at ang mismong CSWDO ng lungsod na lumapit at nakipagtulungan sa kanyang tanggapan para mabigyan ng tulong ang mga vendors.

Hinikayat ng butihing senador ang mga beneficiaries na linangin ang kanilang kaalaman sa pagnenegosyo sa pamamagitan ng pagdulog sa mga tanggapan ng gobyerno gaya ng DSWD, Department of Trade and Industry, TESDA, at Department of Agriculture dahil may inilaang pondo si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para mabigyan ng kabuhayan ang mga mahihirap na mamamayan.

Nagtayo rin ng Malasakit Centers ang Pamahalaan sa ilang pampublikong ospital para makatulong na mabawasan ang bayarin sa pagpapagamot ng mga mahihirap na magkakasakit, pagbubunyag pa ni Senator Go.

Mahigit sa isandaang vendors ng Mega Market na dumaan sa validation ng DSWD ang tumanggap ng tig Php 3,000 na tulong pinansyal.

Maliban dito ay tumanggap din ng bigas, grocery items at multivitamins ang mga vendor beneficiaries.

May pa-raffle din na ginawa ang staff ni Senator Go kung saan ay namigay sila ng bisikleta, tablet at mga pares ng sapatos.

Ang pamimigay ng ayuda ay pauna lamang sa target na 900 beneficiaries sa lungsod na sakop ng programa.

Magtatagal hanggang sa March 19, 2021 ang pamimigay ng katulad na ayuda mula kay Senator Go.

Isinagawa ang pamimigay ng tulong pinansyal umaga ng March 17, 2021 sa amphitheater ng Kidapawan Pilot Elementary School. ##(CIO)

Kidapawan City Day Care Workers receive DSWD Level 1 Accreditation

Some 40 Day Care Workers (DCW) of Kidapawan City have been given Level 1 Accreditation by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DWSD) 12. The DCW’s received the endorsement in a simple ceremony held recently at the Mega Tent fronting the City Hall where each of them was given certification signed by DWSD 12 Regional Director Cesario Joel Espejo. Representatives from DWSD12 and City SWD office led the distribution of certificates to the recipients. The DCW’s in return showed their appreciation as they are now equipped with the highly regarded accreditation. This is the result of passing the assessment and evaluation of the DSWD Early Childhood Care and Development Center-Based Programs conducted by the agency’s set of evaluators. No less than Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista gave a message to the DCW’s and recognized their great contributions in nurturing young children and molding them to become good citizens. “Our Day Care Workers ensure the proper growth and development of our children by teaching them both academically and socially and the important values imparted to the young ones”, said Mayor Evangelista. He attributed the accreditation given to the DCW’s to their dedication and commitment to serve the community particularly in taking care of the children and ensuring a better life for them. The accreditations of the said DCW’s is for three years and vouch their capacity in areas such as advancement of children’s growth and development, partnership with families and communities as well as Local Government Unit, among others. The City Government of Kidapawan in years, has allotted sufficient funds for education ranging from construction of classroom buildings, provision of learning materials, health and nutrition, and other developmental programs for children. It has also actively and efficiently partnered with various government agencies in implementing projects for education and academe development. Mayor Evangelista has, for a long time, also prioritized education plans and programs for teachers or educators and is very much grateful to the education sector for the strong partnership and ties with his administration. (CIO-AJPME/JSCJ)

ABOT LANGIT na pasasalamat ang pinaa-abot ng dalawang Kidapawenyang Overseas Filipino na natulungan ni City Mayor Joseph Evangelista na makauwi sa lungsod matapos ang masaklap na karanasang sinapit sa pagta-trabaho sa ibang bansa.

Personal na nagpasalamat sina Daylin Havana ng Barangay Mateo at Nelba Desabille ng Barangay Sibawan kay Mayor Evangelista umaga ng March 16, 2021 sa City Hall.

Kapwa nagpasaklolo ang kapatid ni Daylin at ang mister at anak ni Nelba kay Mayor Evangelista para sa agarang pag-uwi ng kanilang kaanak pabalik ng Pilipinas.

Nagtrabaho bilang mga household workers sina Daylin at Nelba sa Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Anim na buwan matapos ang kanyang kontrata bago nakauwi si Daylin kung saan ay inilipat siya ng kanyang employer sa kamag-anak nito mula Riyadh patungong Jeddah.

Wala siyang tinanggap na sweldo sa mahabang panahon at ang masaklap pa nito ay nagkataong nangyari ang Covid19 pandemic at nagpatupad ng lockdown sa bansang kanyang pinagtrabahuan.

Habang si Nelba naman ay na-stroke sa panahon ng kanyang pagta-trabaho sa Riyadh.

Buti na lang at nagkataong isang duktor ang kanyang among Arabo at ito na mismo ang nagpagamot sa kanya sa ospital.

Agad inutusan ng alkalde si Ms. Aida Labina – ang Focal Person ng mga OF concerns ng City Government na makipag-ugnayan at kulitin ang recruitment agency, OWWA at mga Philippine Embassy officials sa Saudi Arabia para agad makauwi ang mga nabanggit na distressed Kidapawenya.

Nagpa-abot din ng cash assistance si Mayor Evangelista kina Daylin at Nelba na magagamit nila bilang pantawid sa kasalukuyan.

Sila ay ilan lamang sa mga distressed Overseas Workers na dumanas ng labis-labis na hirap sa pangingibang bansa sa layuning mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya na natulungang makauwi ng City Government. ##(CIO)

AstraZeneca vaccine rolls out successfully in Kidapawan City

At least six Covid-19 referral hospitals in Kidapawan City have started the vaccination roll out of AstraZeneca vaccines today, March 16, 2021.

This is the second roll out of vaccines for Covid-19 following the highly successful inoculation using Sinovac vaccine for front liners from Kidapawan City Hospital and three other referral hospital namely M’lang District Hospital in M’lang, Aniceto Pesante Hospital in Midsayap and Mindanao Doctor’s Hospital and Cancer Center, Inc. in Kabacan last March 8-10, 2021.

Just like Sinovac, the AstraZeneca vaccines form part of the total vaccines allotted for various hospitals in Kidapawan City and other municipalities in the Province of Cotabato. A total of 4,910 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Cotabato yesterday, March 15, 2021 and were distributed to more than 40 hospitals in the province according to the Cotabato Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Covid-19.

In Kidapawan City, the recipients of first doses of AstraZeneca include the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center (KMSCI) 465, Kidapawan Doctors Hospital, Inc. (KDHI) 328, Madonna General Hospital (MGH) 155, United Doctors Hospital (21) and Midway Hospital. The Cotabato Provincial Hospital (CPH), the province’s biggest public hospital also received 330 doses of vaccines for its medical and health front liners; and many other hospitals catering to or accepting Covid-19 patients.

Among the recipients of AstraZeneca vaccine is Dr. Maximino Pacifico of United Doctor’s Hospital who is 77 years old.  Having a long span of medical service and one of the only first few senior citizens inoculated, he said he didn’t feel any side effects after being vaccinated by AstraZeneca.  “I was very eager to receive the vaccine because this is the only way to stop the spread of Covid-19 and to save our families and the entire community”, Dr. Pacifico said.

Dr. Pacifico belonged to the first batch of vaccinees from United Doctor’s Hospital catered for AstraZeneca vaccination in Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) in the morning.

Both Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines continue to gain high acceptance rating from front liners.

Kiven Pacifico, a medical front liner for 20 years was also very eager to receive the vaccine saying it would save the lives of millions of people. He said he was a little bit worried when he arrived at the vaccination site thinking of the possible side effects but it was gone after the inoculation. “I am encouraging our front liners to get vaccinated and help stop Covid-19.” Pacifico said. “The vaccines are safe and I am appealing to everybody to do the same and get vaccinated with the available vaccines”, he added.

Juliet Tabanao, who is relatively new as a front liner working for only eight months said she was having second thoughts on vaccination but eventually decided to get vaccinated as it is the best way to get protection against the dreaded disease. “As I entered the vaccination area all my fears are gone. It was replaced with hope that everything will be alright and indeed, it went well.” said Juliet.

She even had her pictures taken along with other front liners after vaccination and after the post vaccination procedures.

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista visited the vaccination site and was delighted to see the line up medical and health front liners getting ready for inoculation.

“This is another historic day for Kidapawan City as we conduct the roll out of AstraZeneca among our front liners. The City Government of Kidapawan will do everything it can from coordination to various support just to make the vaccination completely successful”, said Mayor Evangelista

He reiterated that both Sinovac and AstraZeneca are good and safe vaccines with relatively decent efficacy rates and that having vaccinated is the only way to stop the spread of Covid-19 apart from the minimum health protocols prescribed by the health department. 

Meanwhile, some 60 front liners received AstraZeneca vaccine during the first day of inoculation and the activity is expected to be finished in three days. The second doses of AstraZeneca is already in store and will be delivered in due time following the schedule of inoculation,  according to the Department of Health (DOH) 12. (CIO-AJPME/JSCJ)

Sinimulan na ang roll out ng AstraZeneca vaccines sa Lungsod ng Kidapawan kahapon, March 16, 2021. Mga frontliners mula sa anim na mga public ay private hospitals ang nasa priority list para mabakunahan ng AstraZeneca na kinabibilangan ng Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center (465), Kidapawan Doctor’s Hospital (328), United Doctor’s Hospital (21), Madonna General Hospital (148), Cotabato Provincial Hospital (330) at Midway Hospital (170).

Sabay-sabay na sinimulan ang inoculation ng mga frontliners ng nabanggit na mga hospitals sa layuning mabigyan ng proteksyon ang mga ito laban sa Covid-19 at tuluyan ng mapigil ang pagkalat ng sakit. Abot sa 4,910 doses ng AstraZeneca vaccine ang dumating sa Cotabato Province kamakalawa na agad ding ipinamahagi sa mahigit 40 na mga pagamutan at referral hospitals sa lalawigan kabilang na ang mga nasa Kidapawan City. Ikinatuwa naman ni Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista ang roll out ng AstraZeneca at tiniyak ang patuloy na suporta ng City Government of Kidapawan sa mga forntliners ganundin sa iba pang sektor sa kampanya laban sa Covid-19. Sinabi ng alkalde na ikinatutuwa niya ang pagbabakuna ng AstraZeneca matapos ang matagumpay na roll out sa Kidapwan City ng Sinovac vaccine noong March 8-10, 2021.

“Isa na namang tagumpay para sa mga Kidapaweno ang araw na ito dahil sa sama-samang pagkilos ng bawat isa laban sa Covid-19”, sinabi ni Mayor Evangelista. Masaya rin si Mayor Evangelista sa maayos na sistema ng vaccination na kanya mismong nasaksihan sa Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) at sa iba pang mga vaccination site sa lungsod. Inaasahan naman ang pagdating ng second doses ng Sinovac at ng AstraZeneca sa lungsod sa takdang oras upang ganap na matapos ang vaccination sa hanay ng mga frontliners ng Kidapawan City. (CIO-AJMPE/JSCJ)

KIDAPAWAN CITY – NAKATANGGAP NG ONE STAR AT LEVEL 1 ACCREDITATION ang mahigit sa apatnapung mga Early Child Development o day care workers ng lungsod mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development XII. Pirmado pa mismo ni DSWD XII Regional Director Cesario Joel Espejo ang Accreditation Certificates ng mga day care workers bilang patunay na naabot nila ang minimum requirement na isinasaad ng ahensya sa ilalim ng Early Child Care and Development Center-Based Programs. Kinilala ng DSWD XII ang kontribusyon at mahahalagang papel ng mga day care workers ng lungsod sa tamang pagpapalaki ng mga bata sa preschool edad 3 years old hanggang 4 years and 11 months old sa pamamagitan ng mga Early Child Development o day care Centers. Matatandaang pinag-laanan ng subsidy ni City Mayor Joseph Evangelista ang sector ng edukasyon kung saan ay sakop nito yaong mga bata mula sa pre-school hanggang senior high school. Maliban sa pagpapatayo ng angkop na gusaling magsisilbing silid aralan ng mga bata, hanggang sa pagbibigay ng mga kinakailangang learning materials, nakatulong din ang subsidy mula sa City Government sa aspetong pangkalusugan ng mga pre-school aged children. Tatlong taon ang validity period ng DSWD Accreditation mula December 17, 2020 hanggang December 16, 2023. Kaugnay nito, dahil na rin sa posibilidad ng pagbabalik ng face to face learning sakaling bumaba na ang kaso ng Covid19 sa lungsod, isasali ni Mayor Evangelista na mabibigyang prayoridad ang mga day care workers na matuturukan ng bakuna maliban pa sa mga identified eligible population na mababakunahan sa hinaharap. ##(CIO)