The Official Publication of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Butuan

VOL. I NO. 8 BUTUAN CITY, PHILIPPINES DEC. 26 - 31, 2011

Balangay WatchLandmark watershed code ordinance filedTHEN LANDMARK watershedcode ordinance of the City ofButuan has finally been filedwith the SangguniangPanlungsod after several monthsof refinement and consultationwith the different stakeholders.The proposed ordinance, whichis authored by Vice MayorLawrence Fortun, is expected togive the local government moremuscle in protecting theenvironment particularly thewatershed which is the onlysource of potable water in thecity. The measure, which isstrongly endorsed by the Envi-ronment and Natural ResourcesCouncil (ENRC) of Butuan City,if approved will also pave theway for the creation of the Wa-tershed Management Councilwhich is primarily tasked to pre-pare a comprehensive watershedprotection, conservation and

management of all the identifiedwatersheds in the city. Amongthe salient provisions of the or-dinance, is the declaration as pro-tected areas the identified water-sheds including the Taguibo wa-tershed as well as all of the 32,814hectares of agro-forestry andnon-tillage areas of the City.As a protected area it shallprohibit the following: 1) landconversion to whateverclassification, 2) commercial treefarming except those related toreforestation, 3) water drillingexcept for household use, 4)hunting, destroying, disturbingor mere possession of any plantor animal or products derivedthere from without permit fromthe Watershed ManagementCouncil, 5) dumping or disposingof any waste productsdetrimental to plants and animalsand inhabitants thereon, 6) useof motorized equipment without

Vice Mayor Law Fortun

permit from theW a t e r s h e dM a n a g e m e n tCouncil, 7)m u t i l a t i n g ,d e f a c i n g ,destroying objectsof natural beauty,burial grounds,religious sites,artifacts or otherobjects belongingto culturalcommunities, 8)damaging ordestroying roads andtrails, 9) squatting, mineralexploration or illegaloccupation, 10) constructingor maintaining any kind ofstructure, fence or enclosureand conducting any businessenterprise, 11) altering,removing, destroying ordefacing boundary marks orsigns, and 12) exploitation of

quarry resources andcommercial sand and gravelresources. As a key factor for thesuccessful implementation of theproposed ordinance, the Citygovernment needs to adopt aForrest Land Use Plan (FLUP)which will become the main

see Landmark to page 4...

WITH THE aim of creating amore responsive and pro-activeCity Council, under theleadership of Vice MayorLawrence H. Fortun, theSangguniang Panlungsodinitiated several reforms in theoffice.

ENVIRONMENT ANDNATURAL RESOURCESCOUNCIL (ENRC)In August of 2011 after almost2 decades of being snoozed byprevious administrations, theCouncil was finally re-convened by Vice MayorLawrence Fortun. It is the only

Office of the Vice Mayor highlights accomplishmentsBy Eldie N. David and Ralph O. Neri

Council in the local governmentunit that is chaired by the ViceMayor. Composed of 12members, the Council iscomprises people who comefrom the different sectors of thegovernment as well as privatewho are stakeholders in theprotection of the environment.Immediately after it wasconvened, the Council buckleddown to work and made itspresence felt in the communityas it drives to protect theenvironment. It passed aresolution calling for a probe onthe alleged illegal mining

activities at the TaguiboWatershed. It also favorablyendorsed the passage of thewatershed code ordinance ofButuan City which wasauthored by Fortun.

PEOPLE�S LAWENFORCEMENT BOARDWith the Board Chaired by ViceMayor Lawrence Fortun, amore expeditious litigation ofcases against erring policeofficers was seen. Anintensified campaign was alsolaunched in the Barangays toinform the public of its

purpose. With the litigation ofcases swung fully, hiring ofLegal Officer I (Contract ofService) to assist in drafting ofdecisions and orders, andconducting research work wasdone.

EXECUTIVE �LEGISLATIVE POLICYREVIEW AND REFORMWORKSHOPA synergy of efforts betweenthe executive and legislativearms of the local government toassess the state and scope of

see Sangguniang to page 4...

EDITORIAL BOARD

HON. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H.FORTUNChairman

MembersHON. ERWIN L. DANO

HON. RYAN ANTHONY B. CULIMA

HON. JOSEPHINE P. MARTICION-SALISE

HON. ANGELO S. CALO

HON. RANDOLPH B. PLAZA

HON. RAMON P. CARAMPATANA

HON. AUDIE G. BERNABE

HON. JAIME M. CEMBRANO

HON. RAUL O. AMOC

HON. VIRGILIO G. NERY, JR.

HON. NESTOR D. AMORA

HON. RAUZIL A. CARAMPATANA

Balangay Watch is the Official Publicationof the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod of theCity of Butuan and published by the Officeof the Vice Mayor. All rights reserved. Edi-torial inquiries, letters, contributions andqueries concerning circulation and subscrip-tion should be addressed to the:

Information, Communications &Technology Section

Office of the Vice Mayor, City HallBuilding, Brgy. Doongan, Butuan City.

Tel No. (085) 342-9236.Email: balangay.watch@gmail.com

e-Newsletter version atwww.issuu.com/balangay_watch

EDITORIAL STAFF

ELDIE N. DAVIDManaging Editor

EMERSON RALPH O. NERIGLENN C. AMARILLE

Editorial Assistants

MANUELITO C. SUANAURORA B. CABALLES

JHEIN L. SICLONPIO-CMOContributors

IRVIN P. VARGASGraphic Artist

G.M. LICONGCartoonist

MARIA JOHANNA P. ROSALESProofreader

JOSELITO C. GANANCIALIT Support

CAROLYN M. GALASFinance Officer

Opinion

Balangay Watch 2

Dec. 26-31, 2011

Editoryal Protecting the watershedWater is a sourceof life. To protectlife, its source mustbe secured. This isthe message ofVice MayorLawrence Fortun infiling the proposedwatershed codeordinance recently. The watershedcode aims toprotect the currentTaguibo watershed,and thosewatersheds to beidentif ied in thefuture, from theharmful enterprisesthat prevail in thearea. Miningactivities near thesewatersheds will be penalized. Quarryingsand and gravel will be stopped. Theseare just few activities that are targetedto be suspended by the watershed code. The urgency of the code is evidencedfrom the rampant destruction of thewatersheds from illegal activities. Illegalmining and quarrying within these areascaused an increase of sediments carriedby the stream beyond its normal rate.The Butuan City Water District (BCWD)sourced its water from the Taguibowatershed. Whenever high sedimentationoccurs in the watershed, the water districtwill find it more difficult to filter the waterto be drinkable. High cost of maintainingfiltering equipments will translate to highcost of water paid by the consumers. Thisadds up to the burden of us Butuanonsto provide decent budget to maintain ourdaily needs. The high cost of sedimentation is notjust the problem caused by illegal miningactivities within the watershed. Heavymetals used by the miners go to thestream which flow through the watersystem and finally to our faucet. This willaffect our health. Increase intake of thesecontaminants is known to impair thenormal functions of our vital systemsespecially that of our nervous system.Do we want our children to suffer fromthese known dangers when we can stop

them today? It is not just mining that causesdegradation of our watershed. Illegallogging is also prevalent in the area.Trees are vital in supporting a healthysupply of water. The forest maintains theintegrity of the watershed. Trees preventsoil erosion and also trap the water thatflows through the watershed. Treesprevent storm water runoff which is amain cause of flooding in the area andalso in the city. When we manage ourwatershed properly we can mitigate theimpacts of flooding. We all know howhelpless we are when these floods occur.Only recently that Cities of Cagayan deOro and Iligan suffer casualties due totropical storm Sendong. Had the stormhit our city, we would have suffered justthe same. The proponent, Vice Mayor LawFortun is correct in saying that accessto water is a human rights issue and theprotection of the environment isparamount in maintaining a safe andhealthy city. The proposed code buzzeswith words such as ecologicalsustainability, economic sustainability,and social and cultural sustainability. Thiskind of focus is what we need from ourleaders. The city already suffers fromneglect. A fresh change is already inthe horizon.

Balangay Watch 3

UpdatesDec. 26-31, 2011

(This section presents the resolutions andordinances enacted by the 12th SangguniangPanlungsod of Butuan City)

By Aurora B. Caballes

CALL TO ORDER

SP RESOLUTION NO. 710-2011 � A

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGHONORABLE CITY MAYORFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., TO SIGNFOR AND IN BEHALF OF THE CITYGOVERNMENT OF BUTUAN ACONTRACT OF LEASE, LEASING UNTOSAN MIGUEL ARCHANGEL CHAPEL APORTION OF LAND LOCATED ATBARANGAY AMBAGO, BUTUAN CITYAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO 712-2011 � A

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGHONORABLE CITY MAYORFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., TOENTER INTO AND SIGN, FOR ANDBEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENTOF BUTUAN, A MEMORANDUM OFAGREMENT (MOA) WITH THEDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,REGIONAL FIELD UNIT XIII, FOR THETRANSFER WITHOUT COST TO THELGU BUTUAN CITY, PARTICULARLY TOTHE CITY VETERENARIAN�S OFFICE

(CVO) THE ONE (1) UNIT DESKTOPCOMPUTER AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 713-2011 � A

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITYMAYOR OF BUTUAN, HONORABLEFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., TOESTABLISH A SISTERHOODAGREMENT WITH THE CITY OFITAKURA, JAPAN AND TO ENTER INTOA MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTRELEVANT THERETO, AS WELL AS TOPERFORM SUCH OTHER ACTSPURSUANT THEREOF.

SP RESOLUTION NO 714-2011 � A

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITYMAYOR OF BUTUAN, HONORABLEFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., TOESTABLISH A SISTERHOODAGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF

RESOLUTIONS KITAKYUSHU, JAPAN AND TO ENTERINTO A MEMORANDUM OFAGREEMENT RELEVANT THERETO ASWELL AS TO PERFORM SUCH OTHERACTS PURSUANT THEREOF.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 715-2011 � A

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITYMAYOR OF BUTUAN, HONORABLEFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., TOESTABLISH A SISTERHOODAGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OFKASAI, JAPAN AND TO ENTER INTO AMEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENTRELEVANT THERETO AS WELL AS TOPEFORM SUCH OTHER ACTSPURSUANT THEREOF.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 716-2011 � A

RESOLUTION REQUESTING FOR THEDONATION OF SURPLUS JAPAN-MADEAGRICULTURAL AND SOLID WASTEMANAGEMENT EQUIPMENTS ANDPARAPHERNALIA FROM THE CITY OFITAKURA, JAPAN TO THE CITY OFBUTUAN, PHILIPPINES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 717-2011 � ARESOLUTION REQUESTING FOR THEDONATION OF SURPLUS JAPAN-MADEAGRICULTURAL AND SOLID WASTEMANAGEMENT EQUIPMENTS ANDPARAPHERNALIA FROM THE CITY OFKITAKYUSHU, JAPAN TO THE CITY OFBUTUAN, PHILIPPINES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 718-2011 � ARESOLUTION REQUESTING FOR THEDONATION OF SURPLUS JAPAN-MADEAGRICULTURAL AND SOLID WASTEMANAGEMENT EQUIPMENTS ANDPARAPHERNALIA FROM THE CITY OFKASAI, JAPAN TO THE CITY OFBUTUAN, PHILIPPINES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 719-2011 � ARESOLUTION DECLARINGHONORABLE CITY COUNCILORVIRGILIO G. NERY, JR., AS THE

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE OF THESANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD TOTHE BUTUAN CITY DISASTER RISKREDUCTION AND MANAGEMENTCOUNCIL (BCDRRMC), AND FOROTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 720-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGHONORABLE CITY MAYORFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., M.D., TOENTER INTO AND SIGN, FOR AND INBEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENTOF BUTUAN, A MEMORANDUM OFAGREEMENT WITH BUTUAN CITYGOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (BCGEM-PC)RELATIVE TO THE ASSISTANCE OF THECITY GOVERNMENT IN COLLECTINGTHE ACCOUNTS OF BCGEM-PCMEMBERS, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 721-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THELIGA NG MGA PUNONG BARANGAY,THIS CITY, TO UTILIZED THE USEDTRUSSES AT THE CITY MOTORPOOLFOR THE COMPLETION OF THECONSTRUCTION OF LIGA COLLEGEBUILDING AT BARANGAYPIGDAULAN, THIS CITY, AND FOROTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 722-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGHONORABLE CITY MAYORFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., M.D., TOENTER INTO AND SIGN, FOR AND INBEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENTOF BUTUAN, A DEED OF TRANSFERBU UNDERSECRETARY FOR PMOOPERATIONS, RAFAEL C. YABUT,DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKSAND HIGHWAYS, FOR THE TRANSFEROF POSSESSION AND OWNERSHIP OF49.8414 HECTARES OVERALLRESETTLEMENT AREA OF THE LOWERAGUSAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT,STAGE 1, PHASE II-BUTUAN CITY, ANDFOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 738-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGHONORABLE CITY MAYOR

see Call to page 8...

News & Updates

Balangay Watch 4

Dec. 26-31, 2011

reference document of the code. Fortun,who himself is a staunch advocate for theprotection of the Taguibo watershed, hasstrongly been pushing for this measure inorder to ensure that sources of potablewater of the city will be protected, conservedand properly managed. He also called uponall the major stakeholders to activelyparticipate in the public hearings of theCommittee on Environment and NaturalResources of the Sangguniang Panlungsodfor which the proposed measure wasendorsed.

local laws, discuss what laws should bepassed to address the needs of the locality,and prepare initial drafts. With theparticipation of the executive offices, thelegislature can make laws that are moreresponsive as far as present needs areconcerned, and proactive in anticipation offuture concerns the city and its people mayface.

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION(TRANSPRARENCY PROGRAM)To be more pro-active in the informationdissemination and transparency effort ofthe Sangguniang Panlungsod, severalmeasures were adopted.The Balangay Watch, the officialpublication of the 12th SP first came out inAugust 2011. It was circulated to the publicparticularly to the Barangays and thedifferent government offices. It publishedupdates on the programs and projects ofthe SP as well as measures passed by thelocal legislature. News releases were alsodispatched regularly to all media outfits in

...Landmark from page 1

...Sangguniang from page 1

ENRC members inducted by DENR Regional Executive Director LeonardoSibbaluca.

Butuan. Multi-media were also tapped todisseminate information. An officialFacebook® account was created for the

Vice Mayor to posts different updates ofthe Office of the Vice Mayor.

PERSONNEL PROFESSIONALISMAND EMPOWERMENTIn an effort to professionalize andempowerment the employees of theSangguniang Panlungsod, severalcapacitating trainings were conducted incoordination with the differentgovernment agencies. Additional logisticalsupport was also provided to make the staffmore efficient.

- Trainingso Capacitating SP Staff for REAL(Responsive, Effective, and AdaptiveLegislation)o Post-Training Evaluation and ActionPlanningo 5S for Good Housekeeping Practices

- Logistical Support to provide employeestheir equipment needs to effectively andefficiently execute their dutieso Laptops, MSI Computers, Desktopcomputers in all divisions (Ordinances andResolutions Division; AdministrativeDivision; Agenda, Journals, and MinutesDivision) and units (PLEB and FranchiseUnits)o Photocopiero Fax Machineo DSLR Camera and Sony Cyber-shoto Office tables and chairso Wi-Fi office environment for facilitationof research and information dissemination

V I C EM AY O R S �LEAGUE OFT H EPHILIPPINES� CaragaRegionA more activeR e g i o n a lCouncil whichc o n v e n e salmost everymonth todiscuss on

see Sangguniang to page 5...

THE SANGGUNIANG Panlungsodrecently approved a resolution authorizingMayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr to enterinto a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)with the Department of Health (DOH), 4thInfantry Division of the Philippine Army,and the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.Global Fund (PSFIGF) to implement aMalaria Control Program and a NationalTuberculosis Program (NTP). The programs employ the public topublic partnership strategy of theDepartment of Health Center for HealthDevelopment to widen the scope of itsDirect Observed Treatment (DOTS). Thisstrategy also aims to reduce the cost ofpatients by providing services closer to theworkplace. To provide services to militarypersonnel and the public in general, the 4thID of the Philippine Army will establish theMalaria and TB DOTS center at CampBancasi, Butuan City. They will beresponsible in implementing the Malariaand NTP program activities particularly thediagnosis and treatment of malaria and TBamong military personnel. This will bebased on the DOTS strategy of the DOH.The City government will provide funds for

Philippine Army toorganize BancasiDOTS centerBy Jhin Siclon

see Philippine to page 8...

News & Updates

Balangay Watch

Dec. 26-31, 2011

5

various concerns of the region. During theRegional Assembly held in December2011, the league advocated forenvironmental protection and nourishmentthrough its theme: �Legislating for a

Greener and Cleaner Caraga Region.�

PROGRAMANG PANGKATAWHANIn 2011 close to 5,000 residents

of Butuan City have availed of the varioushealth, legal and social services offered bythe Office of the Vice Mayor. The servicesoffered ranged from free dental, medical,optical, legal. An �operation tuli,� and�libreng tupi,� as well as a feedingprogram was also offered. There was alsoa blood letting and blood typing for thepeople. The program was also replicated indifferent rural and urban barangays. Amongthe most availed service is the giving of freelegal service for delayed birth registrantswhich accounted for almost 3,000recepients.

PLANS AND PROGRAMS FOR 2012

1. OFFICE IMPROVEMENT

Exdecutive-Legislative Policy Review and Reform Workshop

THE CITY Government of Butuan will urgeP r e s i d e n tB e n i g n o�Noynoy� S.

Aquino IIIt h r o u g hS e c r e t a r yRogelio L.Singson of theDepartment ofPublic Worksand Highways(DPWH) to turn-over to the CityGovernment theButuan City

Multi-Purpose Training Center or morepopularly known as the �sports complex�.

In a resolution passed by the SangguniangPanlungsod which was authored by ViceMayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun, theCouncil is seeking the turn-over of the said

President Aquino urged to turn-over�sports complex� to the City

facility which has been left undeveloped formore than a decade. Fortun cited in hisresolution that the facility which is stillunder the jurisdiction of the DPWH hasbeen proclaimed by then President JosephEjercito Estrada as the�Butuan City Multi-Purpose Training

Center� through Presidential Proclamation

No. 249 dated February 29, 2000. This,however, is contrary to the main purposefor which the area was purchased by thenational government to develop it as aSports Complex pushed by formerCongresswoman Charito �Ching� B. Plaza.

However, due to political differences withthe previous local administration thedevelopment of the area was stalled and hassince been converted as a training center.The property is of great use to the citygovernment as it has been the venue ofvarious sports activities, hence, the need todevelop it into a world-class sports facility,Fortun added in his resolution.

SP Capacitating for Responsive, Effective, Adaptive Legislation (REAL)

Vice Mayor�s League of the Philippines (VMLP) Caraga Regional Assembly

a. Tiling of therooms at theOffices of theCity Vice Mayorand theS a n g g u n i a n gPanlungsodb. Installation of4-channel CCTVCamera forsecurity purposesc. Payroll system

d. Biometrics for amore effectivemonitoring ofe m p l o y e e � s

presence andabsencee. Installation ofcubicles for the SPOffice

2. PERSONNELPROFESSIONALISM

a. Further trainings to enhance the skills andcompetence of employeesb. Hiring of more stenographers and writersc. Wearing of Employee IDs

6

Dec. 26-31, 2011News & Updates

Balangay Watch

THE SANGGUNIANG Panlungsod ofButuan City recently approved a resolutionauthorizing Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante,Jr. to enter into a Memorandum ofAgreement (MOA) with the Civil ServiceCommission (CSC), Department of Health(DOH), and Butuan City GovernmentEmployees Multi-Purpose Cooperative toestablish a Botika Para sa Taumbayan(BPT). The Botika Para sa Taumbayan willdeliver cheap generic medicines for thepeople of Butuan and also the governmentemployees. This is a drive of the Citygovernment to provide quality andaffordable medicines to the public. TheBotika Para sa Taumbayan is a programadopted by the Civil Service Commissionfrom the Botika ng Barangay project of theDepartment of Health. The DOH Center for Health andDevelopment will provide the Citygovernment a seed capital of P50,000.00worth of medicines which is enumeratedunder its Botika ng Barangay program. TheDOH will also be responsible inreplenishing the stocks of the BPT. The City Government and theCooperative will provide the BotikaOperators to operate the Botika outlets.These outlets will be inspected by aLicensed Pharmacist from the DOH whichis directed to be physically present for atleast two hours at the facilities. The spacefor the outlets will also be provided by theCity LGU. The Operators are required toprepare reports and the safekeeping ofstocks of medicines provided to them bythe DOH. The DOH Center for HealthDevelopment will provide the training ofBotika Operators. This will ensure that theoutlets are managed properly and themedicines are distributed in an orderlymanner to the public. The authors of SP Resolution No. 769-2011are Councilors Virgilio Nery, Jr., Ryan AnthonyCulima, Erwin Dano, Josephine Marticion-Salise, Angelo Calo, Ramon Carampatana,Nestor Amora, and Rauzil Carampatana. Thisordinance was approved on December 12, 2011.

Butuan City to put-up Botika Para saTaumbayan THE 12TH Sangguniang Panlungsod Led

by Vice Mayor Law Fortun has recentlyapproved a resolution authorizing CityMayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. to enterinto an agreement with Philippine VeteransBank to provide its employees with asecure and safe mode of withdrawal of theirsalaries and wages and other benefits usingpersonalized Automated Teller Machines(ATM) card. This is after the city realizedthe need to avail of an automated payrollsystem to keep abreast with the latesttechnology and to hasten the processing ofthe monthly payroll in order to ensureeffective disbursements of salaries.

City Gov�t. is set to implement anAutomated Payroll System

The said System is a user friendly,flexible and highly customized in that itsfunctions include automatic computationof salaries, inclusive of salary deductions/additions. In the said agreement, the PhilippineVeterans Bank shall provide and install anATM off-site booth within the premises ofthe City Hall and Butuan City medicalcenter. On the other hand, the city, inconsideration of the services rendered bythe bank, shall maintain various current/savings deposit account of the bank�sButuan branch with an average daily balanceof not less than P50 million.

THE CITY Government of Butuan has beenawarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping bythe Department of Interior and Local Gov-ernment, making it a qualified recipient ofthe Local Government Support Fund(LGSF). In a memorandum issued by DILG Sec-retary Jesse Robredo to Caraga RegionalDirector Atty. Rene Burdeos, the DILGchief directed Atty. Burdeos to inform theCity Government of Butuan to submit a one-page project brief based on the correspond-ing amount of the LGSF share in the amountof P60 Million that may be released tothem. The memorandum further stated that thesaid fund shall be utilized as capital expen-ditures and used to augment their approved2012 Annual Investment Plan for imple-mentation of any or combination of the fol-lowing projects, namely: 1) rural electrifi-cation; 2) local roads connecting nationalroads; 3) arterial farm-to-market roads andbridges; 4) local economic enterprises and;5) flood control and drainage. Also, the DILG chief said the fund canalso be used to support the priority projectsof the national government such as the 1)Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);2) Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction andManagement Act of 2010; 3) Solid Waste

Butuan City earns Seal ofGood Housekeeping

Management Act of 2000. However, DILG emphasized that the re-lease of the LGSF shall be subject to theevaluation or approval of the project by theconcerned DILG Regional Office, based onthe above-stated requirements. Once theconcerned DILG Regional Office has de-termined the soundness of the project, itshall then be endorsed to its counterpart re-gional office of the Department of Budgetand Management (DBM) for fund process-ing. This development shows that the inter-nal reforms which were implemented in thecity government here through the leader-ship of Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. wererecognized by the national government. The City Government of Butuan isamong the local government units of CaragaRegion that complied and adhered to theflagship program of President Benigno S.Aquino III on transparency and accountabil-ity as highlighted in the Philippine Devel-opment Plan for 2011-2016. � (CMO-PIO/PIA-13)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you asign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and

bear a son, and shall call his nameImmanuel.

- Isaiah 7:14

Balangay Watch

News & Updates Dec. 26-31, 2011

7

SP Summary of AttendanceSP Sessions

Month of November 2011

No. of Regular Sessions : 5No. of Special Sessions : 1

Name No. of Times No. of Times On OB On Sick Present Absent Leave

Vice Mayor Lawrence H. Fortun 3 3Hon. Erwin L. Dano 5 1Hon. Ryan Anthony B. Culima 6Hon. Josephine Marticion-Salise 4 2Hon. Angelo S. Calo 4 2Hon. Randolph B. Plaza 2 3 1Hon. Ramon P. Carampatana 5 1Hon. Audie G. Bernabe 2 4Hon. Jaime M. Cembrano, Jr. 6Hon. Raul O. Amoc 3 3Hon. Virgilio G. Nery 5 1Hon. Nestor D. Amora 6Hon. Rauzil A. Carampatana 2 4

THE LOCAL Government of Butuan dis-tributed packed Christmas gifts for the 86barangays of Butuan. The traditional gift-giving activity kicked off in BarangayTungao on December 5 and ended at the CityHall Grounds on December 8, 2011. Otherareas visited on the first day of �Gasa Hong

Pasko 2011� included far-flung barangays

like San Mateo, Dulag, MJ Santos, and Ma-nila de Bugabos. 200 families belonging tothe marginalized sector were targeted andidentified to receive early Christmas giftsin every barangay of the 86 barangays in the

�Gasa Hong Pasko 2011� distributedto 17,000 Butuanon families

city. The City Social Welfare and Develop-ment Office, headed by Ms. Dennie Tahil,in coordination with the Liga ng mgaBarangay, led the said program, with theassistance of the Butuan Search and Res-cue Team (BUSART). This undertaking is part of the priorityaid assistance of the local government un-der the leadership of Hon. MayorFerdinand "Jun" Amante, Jr., with an allo-cation of Php3 Million to ensuresustainability of the program. (CMO-PIO)

Councilors Ryan Culima, Jaime Cembranoand Liga President Nestor Amora registereda perfect attendance thereby topping the restof the Councilors in the attendance list forthe month of November of SangguniangPanlungsod Regular and Special Sessions.On the other hand, Councilor Audie G.Bernabe and SK Federation PresidentRauzil Carampatana incurred the most num-ber of absences for the same period withonly 4 absences. They were followed byCouncilors Randolph Plaza and Raul Amocwho both have 3 absences.

Following the topnotchers areCoucilors Erwin L. Dano, Ramon P.Carampatana and Virgilio G. Nery, Jr., with5. Vice Mayor Law Fortun was out half ofthe time Acting as Mayor during his ab-sence. The Sangguniang Panlungsod has 5Regular Sessions and 1 Special Session inthe month of November. The publicationof this record is in consonance with thetransparency policy pushed by Vice MayorLaw Fortun and adopted by the 12thSangguniang Panlungsod. (Glenn Amarille)

THE SANGGUNIANG Panlungsod ap-proved two resolutions 757-2011 and 767-2011 granting Productivity Enhancement In-centive (PEI) not lower than P10,000.00 toelective and appointive officials and also theemployees of the City Government ofButuan which includes contractual employ-ees. This is a reward by the City Governmentto the people who exercised prudence ingovernment spending that greatly contrib-utes in reversing the overspending incurredduring fiscal year of 2011. The city employ-ees and officials provide strong support incuring the deficit of city funds. Through theircommitment and collaboration, the city isable to meet its goal. This PEI is just a to-ken of appreciation by the administration. The PEI will be taken from the availablesavings of the city government. This is au-thorized by President Ninoy Aquino throughthe issuance Administrative order 24 signedlast December 1, 2011. The grant of PEI tosalaried employees of the LGU is for a onetime pay-out only. SP resolution 757-2011 and 767-2011are authored by Councilors Ryan AnthonyCulima, Josephine P. Marticion-Salise,Angelo S. Calo, Ramon P. Carampatana,Jaime M. Cembrano, Jr., Virgilio G. Nery,Jr., Liga ng mga Barangay President NestorD. Amora, and SK Federation PresidentRauzil Carampatana. Resolution 757-2011was approved last December 8, 2011 andResolution 767-2011 on December 12,2011.

City grants PEIto its employeesand officialsBy Jhin Siclon

- - o0o - -

Balangay Watch

News & Updates Dec. 26-31, 2011

8

FERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., M.D., TOENTER INTO AND SIGN, FOR AND INBEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENTOF BUTUAN, A MEMORANDUM OFAGREEMENT WITH THE BIANGONHONG MGA SO-ON PRODUCERSCOOPERATIVE FOR THEIMPLEMENTATION OF COMMERCIALGROWING OF ANY SPECIFIED PAPAYAVARIETY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 739-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGHONORABLE CITY MAYORFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., M.D., TOENTER INTO AND SIGN, FOR AND INBEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENTOF BUTUAN, A MEMORANDUM OFAGREEMENT WITH THE BUREAU OFSOILS AND WATER MANAGEMENT(BSWM), AND THE DEPARTMENT OFAGRICULTURE REGIONAL FIELD UNITXIII, (DA-RFU XIII), FOR THEESTABLISHMENT OF THE EXPANDEDRAPID MODIFIED COMPOSTING(ERMC) TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTIONFARMS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 740-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZINGHONORABLE CITY MAYORFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., M.D., TOACCEPT, FOR AND IN BEHALF OF THECITY GOVERNMENT OF BUTUAN, THEDONATION OF A ONE (1) UNIT NUGAPROJECTOR NM-300 BY MS. NILDANICOLASORA, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 741-2011 - ARESOLUTION REQUESTING SENATORFRANCIS �KIKO� PANGILINAN TO

ALLOCATE THE AMOUNT OF TENMILLION (P10,000,000.00) PESOS ORSO MUCH THEREOF, FROM HIS 2012PRIORITY DEVELOPMENTASSISTANCE FUND (PDAF) FOR THECONSTRUCTION OF TOURISMMARKERS AND SIGNAGES FOR ALLTOURIST SPOTS IN THE CITY OFBUTUAN, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 742-2011 - ARESOLUTION REQUESTING SENATORFERDINAND �BONGBONG� R.

MARCOS, JR., TO ALLOCATE THE

AMOUNT OF FIVE MILLION(P5,000,000.00) PESOS IN HIS 2012PRIORITY DEVELOPMENTASSISTANCE FUND (PDAF) FOR THEREPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT OF THEBEALCHERS OF BUTUAN CITYSPORTS COMPLEX, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 743-2011 - ARESOLUTION REQUESTING SENATORAQUILIONO �KOKO� PIMENTEL III TO

ALLOCATE THE AMOUNT OF FIVEMILLION (P5,000,000.00) PESOS FORTHE REPAIR, RECONSTRUCTION ANDGRAVELLING OF THE FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD FROM NATIONALHIGHWAY JUNCTION, BARANGAY KM.3 TO BARANGAY LEMON THIS CITY,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 744-2011 - ARESOLUTION REQUESTINGSECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OFBUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM),HONORABLE FLORENCIO B. ABAD, TOALLOCATE THE AMOUNT OF FORTYMILLION (P40,000,000.00) PESOS ORSO MUCH THEREOF FOR THECONSTRUCTION OF THE BUTUANCITY SPORTS COMPLEX RUBBERIZEDOVAL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 745-2011 - ARESOLUTION CONFIRMING THEAUTHORITY OF CITY MAYORFERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR., INSIGNING THE DEED OF ABSOLUTESALE EXECUTED BY AND BETWEENTHE CITY GOVERNMENT OF BUTUANAND BUTUAN CITY RURAL BANK,INC., OVER A PARCEL OF LANDCONTAINING AN AREA OF ONEHUNDRED TWELVE (112) SQUAREMETERS, COVERED BY TRANSFERCERTIFRICATE OF TITLE NO. RT-37137LOCATED AT BARANGAY BAYANIHAN,THIS CITY, ACQUIRED BY THE CITYGOVERNMENT IN THECONSTRUCTION OF CAPITOL-BONBON ROAD, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES

SP RESOLUTION NO. 750-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITYMAYOR FERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR.,TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITHTHE PHILIPPINE VETERANS BANK TO

BE ONE OF THE DEPOSITORY BANKSOF LGU-BUTUAN AND AVAIL OF ITSPRODUCT IN COMPLETE PAYROLLSYSTEM USING AUTOMATED TELLERMACHINE (ATM) FOR CITYGOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ANDEMPLOYEES, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 754-2011 - ARESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITYMAYOR FERDINAND M. AMANTE, JR.,M.D. TO ENTER INTO AND SIGN INBEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENTOF BUTUAN, A MEMORANDUM OFAGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THEDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-CENTERFOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT,CARAGA (CHDC), REPRESENTED BYREGIONAL DIRECTOR, DIRECTORLEONITA P. GORGOLON, CITY HEALTHOFFICER, REPRESENTED BY DR.JOSEPHINE C. CHUA, 4TH INFANTRYDIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY,REPRESENTED BY OPIC COL. JUPITERD. ANDO AND PILIPINAS SHELLFOUNDATION, INC./GLOBAL FUND(PSFIGF) REPRESENTED BY DR.STELLA G. FLORES, ANDFOR OTHERPURPOSES.

SP RESOLUTION NO. 756-2011 - ARESOLUTION APPROVING/ADOPTINGRESOLUTION NOS. 06, 07 AND 08, ALLSERIES OF 2011, OF THE CITYDEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND FOROTHER PURPOSES.

...Call from page 3

...Philippine from page 4

monitoring, supervision, evaluation,trainings, and counter sharing of additionalanti-malaria and anti-TB drugs andlaboratory supplies. The city will alsodesignate a Medical Malaria and NTPCoordinator of the DOTS clinic at CampBancasi. The DOH will provide technical assistanceand training to the military personnel assigned atthe DOTs clinic. They will also contributemicroscopes and medicines. The Pilipinas ShellFoundation will supply a Rapid Diagnostic TestKit and additional funding for the training of theassigned personnel at the DOTS center. The SP resolution No. 754-2011 is authoredby Vice-Mayor Law Fortun and CouncilorsVirgilio Nery, Jr., Ryan Anthony Culima, ErwinDano, Josephine Marticion-Salise, Angelo Calo,Ramon Carampatana, Nestor Amora, and Ligang mga Barangay President Nestor Amora.