BCPC benchmarks at Barangay City Heights

The 2014 report of the DILG on the Barangay Council for Protection of Children (BCPC) in General Santos City, BCPC - Barangay Apopong is one of the 15 barangays that is non-functional. It is a sad note, that in spite the measures and activities conducted by the BCPC Apopong, it was still evaluated as non-functioning.

Taking it as a challenge, the BCPC Apopong started to revive its council by reorganizing and through strengthening activities like the University of Mindanao sponsored Orientation on the Revised Implementing Rules & Regulation of RA 9344 as amended by RA 10630 last April 28, 2015 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos City.

BCPC Orientation with Fiscal Blanza

Last August 14, 2015, selected BCPC Apopong members visited Barangay City Heights who is a Hall of Famer in terms of BCPC in General Santos City. The group was welcomed by the Barangay Council of City Heights headed by Punong Barangay Lourdes Casabuena.

BCPC Apopong visits City Heights

The Action Officer of BCPC Heights, Chairperson on Social Services, Honorable Lourdes Gambalan together with some Street Educator Volunteers shared with the group the best practices that made them Hall of Famer. Barangay City Heights were generous enough that their programs can be replicated in Apopong.

BCPC Apopong learned that one of lacking aspects of the council is the documentation and proper reporting, which can be improved to make the BCPC truly functional.

Lanton Day Care recipient of SGMAF's Adopt-a-School Program

Lanton-Apopong - Purok 13 Lanton Day Care Center is not new to being a beneficiary of Non Government Organizations programs. The center was initially built through community effort and was later improved with the help of Rotary. Purok 13 Lanton DCC has almost 50 pupils with majority of the children belonging to indigent family and are usually undernourished, thus they were chosen by the Senators Gaudencio and Magnolia Antonino Foundation's (SGMAF) program.  

SGMAF's Monthly Storytelling and Supplemental Feeding Program is a community development approach that facilitates education of children through values formation activities and nutritional feeding.

Facilitating the activities are the SGMAF scholars headed by Ms. Cheesy Mae Andal. Distribution of school supplies was also done bringing wider smiles from the children.

In behalf of the Purok 13 Lanton Day Care Pupils and the rest of Barangay Apopong, thank SGMAF!

Young People of Apopong joined Earth Day 2015

“Earth Everyday, Everywhere for Everyone”. Different sectors from the region joined the celebration of the Earth Day 2015 through a Mangrove Planting Activity at Purok Minanga, Barangay Buayan, General Santos City last April 22, 2015. This activity was initiated by the Local Government Unit of General Santos City spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). About 1,500 mangroves were planted at this time.

Youth Vounteers on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (YVOCCAAM) of General Santos City which composes of the Youth Development Task Force (YDTF) and other youth volunteers-Pag-Asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) and Katipunan ng Kabataan from 5 barangays also supported the said activity. About more than 200 mangroves were planted by the youth volunteers.

Youth from Barangay Apopong actively participated the said celebration.

Words and Photo: Jomarie Olarte

Red Cross conducts Livelihood at Apopong

December 21, 2013 - The Red Cross of the Philippines through General Santos City Chapter chose Barangay Apopong as one of its beneficiaries of their Bigay-Buhay Livelihood program. Through the initiative of Mr. Chris Perpetua, 143 Apopong President, almost 30 women 4ps beneficiaries of the barangay were taught how to bake banana muffins and other delicacies.

This program aims to empower the beneficiaries by teaching them skills for their family's financial improvement. 

Photos courtesy of Marie Allyana Supilanas 

Apopong's Punong Barangay, now the new ABC President

December 18, 2013 - Less than a month after the official Oath Taking Ceremony of the newly elected Barangay Officials of General Santos City, the Punong Barangays of the 26 barangays are gathered as mandated by law to elect a representative for the Liga ng mga Barangay and serve as an Ex-Officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the city.

 Hon. Ruel Pacquiao

For the pass two terms of the Honorable Punong Barangay Rogelio Pacquiao, he vied for the said position against the incumbent Liga ng mga Barangay representative Hon. Lourdes Casabuena for two consecutive terms but to no avail. Now, on his last term as a Punong Barangay, he again run against the latter for the presidency and finally won.

Winner by a coin. 

The Liga ng mga Barangay or the Association of Barangay Captains (commonly known as ABC) held their meeting and election at Mt. Sabrina, Tambler, facilitated by the Department of Interior and Local Government - Gensan. The Honorables Rogelio Dapidran Pacquiao and Lourdes Casabuena had 13 votes each during the election, ending with an agreement to use toss coin in fairly choosing the winner. It came out that Hon. Rogelio D. Pacquiao is now the new representative of the Liga to the Sangguniang Panglunsod.

APOPONG AWARDED BEST PEACEKEEPING ACTION TEAM

In celebration of the 112th Police Service Anniversary of the Philippine National Police, a competition on the Best Peacekeeping Action Team was initiated. With the excellent record and accomplishments of the Apopong Force Multipliers or commonly known as Barangay Tanods, the latter was awarded as the Best Peacekeeping Action Team - Urban Category in South Central Mindanao. The ceremony was held last August 23, 2013 at the Headquarters, PRO 12, Tambler General Santos City.

YEAR-END REPORT FOR 2013

We have missed to share to you dear constituents and avid readers for the past five months some important updates and activities. Here is a wrap up of some of the worth sharing Barangay activities and happenings.

Purchase of 1 new Pattrol Car and 1 new dump truck

Barangay Apopong 30th Foundation Anniversary Celebration

Yes, Barangay Apopong is now 30 years old. To celebrate its founding anniversary, 5 days of activities were held: Thanksgiving Mass, Zumba Party, Purok Night, Ginang ng Apopong, Miss Teen Apopong among others.

 Zumba Party at Day 1

 Thanksgiving Mass 

 Urban Race Challenge

BDRRMC Activities

With the prevalent signs of Climate Change affecting our country it is high time to strengthen the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Budget Planning and Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Trainor's Training were held respectively, tapping the community leaders of the disaster prone areas in the Barangay.

Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Trainor's Training

Barangay Annual Investment Planning

Last November 15, 2013, 88 participants composed of Purok Chairpersons, School Heads, Committee Heads, NGO representatives, Sectoral Representatives and the Barangay Council gathered for the Barangay Annual Investment Planning. The whole day activity resulted with the presentation of proposed projects and programs to be included in the Barangay Annual Budget CY 2014. Though not all shall be included, the importance of BAIP is its legal basis for other funding agencies to allocate budget for requesting parties.

BAIP at Hotel Dolores

Those aforementioned are only few of the highlights of the last quarter of the year 2013. Looking forward for more essential activities, projects and programs on the year AHEAD.

Building Wiring Installation Skills Trainees Graduated...

The Sangguniang Kabataan Apopong appropriated more or less Twenty Thousang Pesos for a Building Wiring Installation Skills Training for the Calendar Year 2011. Only few of the SK projects through the leadership of SK Chairperson Laurienz Janine Fernandez, there are Twelve beneficiaries who succesfully graduated last December 19, 2011 at the Session Hall of the Barangay, out of the 17 original young people who enrolled.

simple graduation rights of the BWI Training

With the help of the Local Government Unit of General Santos City thru the Youth Affairs and Development Office, who facilitated the training and in coordination of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Sarangan--Gensan Office, who provided the efficient training - 12 hardworking and technically skilled out-of-school youth from Barangay Apopong received their Certificate of Attendance of the Building Wiring Installation NC I Skills Training duly signed by Maisalam G. Macarimbang, Al Haj, the Provincial Director- TESDA XII and by the Honorable City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio during their simple graduation ceremony.

Trained under the skillful eye of Mr. Jonas T. Cruz from November 7 - December 7, 2011 at the GSC School for the Arts, the successful graduates are as follows:

• 1. ALEJANDRO,MILLARDO P
• 2. ALEJANDRO,ROLLY, 
  3. AMORA,JOEL S.
• 4. CABILAO,ROMAN CEASAR LLOYD P.
• 5. DELA CRUZ JEFREY G.
  6. GAYANILO ANTHONY S.
  7. MECA,MARLON A.
• 8. PENDEJITO,JAINEL R.
  9. PENDEJITO JUNDEE M.
• 10. SILMARO DANNY,JR.B.
  11. SILPAO JOVAN JAKE D.
  12. TAMAY RENREN B.

the graduates with their trainor

If you wish to avail the same kind of program, you may visit the YOUTH AFFAIRS and DEVELOPMENT OFFICE located at the City Hall Compound from Mondays-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm.

The Sangguniang Kabataan would like to thank the following to their support:

City Mayor's Office thru Hon. Darlene Antonino-Custodio

Youth Affairs and Development Office thru Mr. Elmer Cequiña

TESDA XII

GSC School for the Arts for providing the training venue

Barangay Council of Apopong

Photos used courtesy of Ms. Yanz Supilanas

1ST SEM BARANGAY ASSEMBLY 2011

Pursuant to the Proclamation No. 342 "Declaring the Last Saturday of March and the Third Week of October", Barangay Apopong, together with the rest of the Barangays in the Philippines conducted a Synchronized Barangay Assembly last March 26, 2011.

In accordance to the Local Government Code Section 397(b), the Barangays Presented the Accomplishment and Financial Reports from July-December 2010. Punong Barangay Rogelio Pacquiao and the Barangay Treasurer Grace Atienza does the reporting respectively.

Aside from the reporting, the Committee Chairperson on Solid Waste Management Leonora Arana also discussed one of the pressing issues and concerns of the Barangay - Solid Waste Management and Global Warming. Emphasizing that the Ordinance on Solid Waste Management will be fully implemented. 

The Barangay Assembly were also informed on the details and importance of the Barangay Base Institutions, like the Barangay Development Council among others.

Present were the Barangay Officials, the Barangay Kagawads, Datu Mike Mamacog, Leonora Arana, Roger Lambot, Ponciano Maramara, Alice Carreon and Lou Bernadette Dulay who served as the Master of Ceremony. The Punong Barangay Pacquiao is also present as well as the Barangay Treasurer and Barangay Secretary.

Punong Barangay prayed for unity among the people of Barangay Apopong for its peace and development.

PHILHEALTH para sa MASA DISTRIBUTED for APOPONG Beneficiaries

The Local Government Unit of General Santos thru the City Social Welfare and Development Office distributed Philhealth para sa Masa cards last August 18, 2010 for the recipients from Apopong at the Barangay Gymnasium. The Honorable Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, together with the Committee on Social Welfare Chairperson, City Councilor Nepthalie Natividad and SK Federation President Jane Calunsag  were present during the activity. Also present were the Barangay Councilors Helen S. Javier and Lou Bernadette Dulay.

distribution of cards

With the objective of giving an easy access to quality health services and other medical needs for the indigent constituents of General Santos City, such program is and will be continued by the city of General Santos. From more than five hundred beneficiaries last year, Philhealth para sa Masa beneficiaries for Barangay Apopong alone doubled, reaching up to 1, 118 beneficiaries for the year 2010.

distribution of cards

This is one of the health programs of the government that should be given priority by the authority. With Philhealth for the Poor Pilipinos, you can never go wrong in spending people's money!

barangay personnel distributing the cards

Ask the assigned Social Workers in your barangay about this program.

City Hall sa Barangay APOPONG

July 8, 2010 - The Local Government of General Santos visited Barangay Apopong thru their City Hall sa Barangay program. The program had been existing since the previous City Mayor Pedro B. Acharon was the one heading the local government of the city. Now, with the freshly pressed administration headed by the new, dynamic and hyper City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, the program of going down to the Barangays will be continued and improved.

Barangay Apopong residents waiting for the services to be extended

Barangay Apopong constituents trooped to the Barangay Gymnasium and the Barangay Hall to avail of medical consultations and dental extractions among others. Free medicines were also dispensed to patients. Medicines given were for cough, colds, fever, antibiotics, vitamins and others.

The City Vet Office also rendered their services for the pet animals, while the City Agri gave out seeds and seedlings for free. The Public Employment Service Office meanwhile started Skills Data gathering.Some heavy equipments of the City Engineers Office were also at hand to serve the barangay.

Waiting in Line

Almost all the Department Heads were present during the Pulong-Pulong conducted at the Barangay's Session Hall. The Pulong-pulong which lasted for almost three hours were attended by the City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio and the Barangay Council headed by the Punong Barangay Ruel Pacquiao.

Pulong-Pulong 

Barangay apopong residents thru the Punong Barangay Pacquiao expressed their gratitude for all the services extended to them. 

Mayor Custodio & PB Pacquiao