The award is based on the evaluation being conducted by the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) last year. Also awarded was Ms. Wenefreda Barrete – a BNS of San Isidro village here, who was declared as the Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar for Region XII.

In a letter from the Department of Health’s National Nutrition Council Office XII in Cotabato City dated March 8, 2010, the Regional Nutrition Council through the RNET is congratulating Kidapawan City for its active implementation of the Nutrition program as well as the declaration of Ms. Barrete as the Region’s Most Outstanding BNS.

The evaluation was done in order to determine local nutrition councils that contribute to the nutritional needs of the communities. In Kidapawan city, City mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco has appropriated a significant amount of the annual budget in addressing the nutritional deficiencies of school aged children.

The City LGU through the City Nutrition Office has coordinated with village officials in conducting supplemental feeding for school aged children in many primary and elementary schools here. This is accompanied by a series of “operation timbang” to weigh school aged children and determine the needed nutritional requirements for their proper growth.

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SOURCE: Kidapawan City Government WebSite

Finally! A long wait is over. Kidapawan City’s Fruit Festival, also known as Timpupo Festival will be again celebrated this September 21-25, 2009.

Last year, due to fruit shortage, the festival was canceled. To the dismay of many who eagerly awaited for it, many plans were altered. Potential tourists arrivals was not realized. This only show that what started to be a modest attempt to create a festival unique to Kidapawan, the festival had become a league of its own. It has become as famous as the other festivals in some part of the country. One day it will become as important as the Kadayawan Festival of Davao City.

The past Timpupo Festivals had always been huge successes since they highlighted the abundance and variety of fruits Kidapawan has to offer.

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A young girl from the mountain village of Malibatuan in Arakan town is on the way to fulfilling her dream of earning a college degree from the country’s premiere state university with the help of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

In a letter to Board Member Rodrigo Escudero (2nd District, North Cotabato), Chairman of the SP Committee on Education, 18-year old Keizel Fernando asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to endorse her as a nominee of the province for the “Iskolar ng Bayan” ladderized curriculum program of the University of the Philippines-Manila in Palo, Leyte.

The provincial board granted her request in a resolution passed upon the motion of BM Escudero in last Tuesday’s 100th SP Regular Session.

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Kidapawan City (5 July) — Among City Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco’s first order of business in his new second term is to assure that the increase of salaries and wages of more than 700 employees of the City Government is implemented.

The mayor abides to the memorandum from the Department of Budget and Management which mandates all government line agencies and local government units to a 10% across the board salary increase for all of its employees.

Gantuangco reiterates in a special meeting what he first announced during his first day of his term that he wants salary increase take effect this July. He will meet the Finance Committee of the Sangguniang Panlungsod this week to prepare a supplemental budget necessary to implement the DBM mandate. The Mayor said that the LGU needs at least P3.5 Million for its implementation, covering only salaries and wages, excluding bonus.

The announcement was warmly applauded by the city government employees. Gantuangco challenged them to make initiatives and improvements for best services be rendered to the clientele. He noted that they are the highest paid LGU employees in the Province of Cotabato.

Meanwhile, Mayor Gantuangco is also keen on renewing the appointments of the City Government’s Job Order Workers. He already assured all the JO’s that his administration is doing all the best it can on their re-appointment despite the meager budget intended for their monthly pay.

He will also ask the SP’s Finance Committee to come up with a solution to determine the needed budget for JO’s re-appointments.

Most Job Order Workers are encouraged to avail the Fly Now Pay Later overseas employment program of the city government to benefit their families.

Despite the impending effects of next year’s lesser Internal Revenue Allotment due to the conversion of 12 municipalities into new component cities, Mayor Gantuangco is determined to minimize its possible results in the daily operations of the City Government. About P38 million will be sliced from the IRA share of the City Government.

Increased salaries of employees as agreed will be implemented and benefits will be timely given to them. The allocation for employees’ salaries and wages will be prioritized by the city government even if IRA cut takes effect next year.

-Psalmer Bernalte, PIA Daily News Reader

photo from:www.pinoymountaineer.com

KIDAPAWAN CITY – The city government is now gearing towards improving tourism potentials, especially of the Mount Apo and its blue lake, considered two of the region’s beautiful tourist spots.

City Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco said this has been laid down after putting in place measures to secure the city from extortion, bomb threats, and other lawlessness.

“We have to move on and focus on development, especially on tourism,” Gantuangco said.

Early this week, the city’s Sanggunian has approved the funding of the campaign against terror amounting to R5.9 million.

A portion of the funds was allotted to buy several close circuit …

Byline: MALU CADELINA MANAR

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