Koronadal Receives Seal of Good Housekeeping

The City of Koronadal was conferred the Seal of Good Housekeeping ,  a distinguished award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to an LGU for its commendable performance in upholding the principles of accountability and transparency in governance.

The Manila Bulletin in its January 11, 2012 issue writes in its editorial: to qualify for the Seal of Good Housekeeping, a local government must score high in planning, budgeting, revenue mobilization, financial management and budget execution, procurement and resource mobilization. In the planning category, the LGU must see to it that its Comprehensive Development Plan and Annual Investment Plan are updated and duly approved. Sound fiscal management is reflected in how the LGU prepares its annual budget and in the growth of local revenues over three years. It must practice transparency in the procurement process and full disclosure in its finances, and comply with the Anti-Red Tape Law. Full disclosure promotes the honest orderly management of public funds and helps minimize corruption and fund misuse.

City Mayor Peter B. Miguel Miguel said in an interview, “Koronadal, as a recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping, is being recognized as one of the local governments in the country with above benchmark performance in internal housekeeping. We’ve been recognized as an LGU that had fully complied with the Full Disclosure Program, in line with the Anti-Red Tape Act or ARTA”.

Mayor Miguel received the Seal from DILG-South Cotabato Provincial Director Josephine Leysa during  the opening of the 12th Charter Anniversary and 2^ndNegosyo Festival, Koronadal on October 1, 2012 at Gaisano Grand Mall, City of Koronadal.

Leysa said in an interview, “The city has no adverse opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) and achieved full disclosure in all of its financial transactions”.

Awardees of this program are entitled to a financial aid through the Local Government Support Fund to finance projects specified under the Millennium Development Goals and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010.

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Koronadal CDRRMC is Gawad Kalasag Region’s Best

As proof of hard work and improved performance in 2011 and the first quarter of 2012, Koronadal CDRRMC was recognized as the “Best City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council”, component city category by RDRRMC Region XII for its proactive approach to disaster risk governance. The plaque was received by Mr. Elric Batilaran in behalf of City Mayor Peter B. Miguel on  October 2, 2012 at General Santos City.

The 2012 Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Assistance under the Gawad KALASAG is a special annual project conducted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) to recognize exceptional contributions of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) practitioners in implementing an effective disaster and risk reduction management program to include among others: stakeholders' participation, transparency, innovativeness, partnership, self-reliance, and the spirit of volunteerism.

The ‘Gawad Kalasag’ (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) award is given to individuals, non-government organizations, private sector and government organizations, in recognition of their initiative in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of disaster management in the country.

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Koronadal City Coop, Still Going Strong!

Koronadal City Cooperative Office received a Plaque of Recognition as Outstanding Cooperative Development Office in Region XII from the Regional Office of the CDA qualifying it to the national title for the Gawad Parangal 2012.

The plaque was given during the 11th National Cooperative Summit, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Gawad Parangal Office of the President Awarding Ceremony at Lim Ket Kai Center, Cagayan de Oro City last October 10.

City Cooperative Officer Daniel L. Langga Jr. received the award and handed it over to City Mayor Peter B. Miguel on a Monday flag raising ceremony duly crediting this notable recognition to the efforts of Mayor Miguel and the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod by funding for the cooperative movement in the city which enabled the Coop Office to implement programs and projects by strengthening coops in the city and putting them in the mainstream of development.

Citing the city as the only accredited training provider of CDA in the region, Langga elaborated the city’s winning edges that included its Organization, Management, Leadership and Program Implementation  through its program on technical assistance and granting of financial assistance for  livelihood development. Moreover, Langga stressed on local initiatives through the creation of the office management information system, a well-planned system which contributes significantly to the office efficiency through safe record-keeping, filing system and inventory.

Meanwhile, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 493, declaring October of every year as Cooperatives Month, series of activities were lined-up. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Kooperatiba ay Pagyamanin, mga Kasapi Paramihin.” It is designed to promote public awareness on the importance of cooperatives as a medium for the realization of economic development and social justice.

In line with the opening program of the city’s 12^th Charter Anniversary and 2^nd Negosyo Festival was the opening of Cooperatives Month celebration in the city last October 1. The Message of CDA Regional Director Watanabe L. Roales was delivered by Ms. Sherlita Jacob on her behalf. She shared some inputs on how and why October was declared the Cooperative Month by the cooperative movement.

As one cooperative model among Local Government Units in the region, the city of Koronadal stands strong in its ardent effort to live by the principles of productive cooperativism.

By: Carol Mariano

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Negosyo Festival, keeping business more fun in the city

True to its theme, “More Business. More Fun.”, the City of Koronadal held an 8-day business-oriented and fun-filled celebration of its 12^th Charter Anniversary & 2^nd Negosyo Festival which concluded on October 8, 2012.  

Mayor Peter B. Miguel had always been enthusiastic in keeping business more alive, more vibrant and more fun in the city through various activities and programs ranging from trade fairs and exhibits, business forum, business awards night, nightly food and drink fests with celebrity performers, and the launch of Siok Falls at B/Mabini as an Eco-tourism destination in the city.

Guest speaker DTI Regional Director Ibrahim K. Guiamadel in his message during the Opening Ceremony recognized Koronadal as a fast developing growth center continuously proving its economic potentials conducive for trade and industry by the increasing number of business names registered with the DTI.

Highlighted the Opening Ceremony was the City of Koronadal being awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping by Provincial Director Josephine C. Leysa which award recognizes the LGU for its commendable performance to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency for good governance.

“Koronadal strives…of becoming the center of trade and industry in South Central Mindanao”, Mayor Miguel said in his opening message noting the fact that much had been happening in Koronadal where  fast economic growth and abounding business opportunities were concerned with new infrastructures sprouting almost everyday and new entrepreneurs from other places bringing huge investments in the city.

Further, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 493, the Cooperative Month celebration was also and important part of the weeklong celebration. Also during the same Opening Ceremony, Ms. Sherlita Jacob, representative of CDA Regional Director Watanabe L. Roales shared information on how and why October was declared the Cooperative Month by the cooperative movement.

Meanwhile, to offer businesses the chance to exhibit, network and create business opportunities, the festival featured the Eco Industrial Tourism and Trade Expo at Gaisano Grand Mall. It was participated in by the motorcycle and car industry, one-town-one-product suppliers, appliance centers, airlines/travel agencies, tourism/hotel/resorts/inn owners and agri-products and machineries providers. In the duration of the exhibit, each exhibitor treated the booth visitors to a day of fun and pampering through games and surprises with lots of take home freebies.

Moreover, the Koronadal Grand Bazaar served as venue for small businesses to promote and sell their products within the thoroughfares of Jaycees Avenue and SMRAA Complex front.

New business ideas and essential business strategies were imparted to more than 90 participants of the Negosyo Forum. Starting a profitable business, entrepreneurial mindset, surviving pitfalls of business, business opportunities, and economic impact on bamboo industry were among the topics given by lecturers from DTI Region XII.

During the Prosperous Business for the Masses or PBM’s Night, awards were conferred to the following; for the Year 2011 Developing Cooperatives title, awards were given to Joint Ventures for the medium coop category, KCES 1 Teachers Coop for the small coop category and to New Marbel Muti-Purpose Coop for the micro coop category. For the Outstanding Farmers Association, awardees were: Caloocan 4-H Club, Sto.Nino Organic Farmers Association, Paradise Organic Farm and Cordero Farm. The title for the Outstanding Business Taxpayers 2011 and Outstanding Real Property Taxpayers 2011 were awarded to (4) four outstanding corporations and single proprietorship businesses with the highest business tax paid, prompt in their payment and with no arrears. For the Outstanding Real Business Taxpayers, awards went to RMN Center for Single Proprietorship, EMCOR for Coporate, Ms.Lydia Fabra in the field of residential/agriculture and Ms.Lucena Del Rosario for the Commercial/Industrial category.

To top the festival, for the whole month of October as the Grand Sale Month, majority of big commercial centers and SMEs offered their goods and services even up to 70% off the tag price.

Koronadal, driven by its recent award as finalist to the 2012 Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, aims to rise above global challenges in its pursuit to build business, facilitate trade and investments while equally working for a healthy environment and the safety and security of its people.

By: Carol M.

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More Business, More Fun in Koronadal

With its strategic location, vibrant tourism and favorable environment for business, Koronadal aims at doing business “more fun” in the city as it celebrates its 12^th Charter Anniversary and 2^ndNegosyo Festival on October 1-8, 2012 with this year’s theme, “More Business, More Fun”.

Setting stage all that is vibrant and entrepreneurial in and around the city, the Negosyo Festival gives small business owners the opportunity to showcase their product and services while availing of valuable networking opportunities to help them learn new skills and develop new ideas to boost productivity and sales.

To top the festival, the whole of October every year is Koronadal Grand Sale month where big commercial centers and even the SMEs offer their goods and services up to 70% off the tag price.  Hence consumers will enjoy quality products and services at low, low prices and “shop till they drop”. Eventually, this will help local entrepreneurs expand their markets.

Meanwhile, the weeklong celebration opens with a Motorcade within the urban center followed by an opening program and opening of Cooperatives Month.

The festival features Eco Industrial Tourism and Trade Expo which offers businesses the chance to exhibit, network and create business opportunities. The Trade Fair at Gaisano Grand Mall of Koronadal on October 1-8 will feature the motorcycle and car industry, one-town-one-product, appliance centers, airlines/travel agencies, tourism/hotel/resorts/inn and agri products and machineries Meanwhile, the Koronadal Grand Bazaar will start early on September 24 until October 15. It will serve as platform for small businesses to promote and sell their products within the thoroughfare of Jaycees Avenue.

On October 2, the launching of Koronadal Eco Tourism, Siok Falls for Extreme River-Trekking Adventure will take place at Siok, Barangay Mabini to introduce the area as one tourism destination.

To improve the investment climate, activities like Mabilis na Proseso sa Pagnenegosyo where people could attend to their needs concerning the city’s services in just one place including Koronadal Jobs Fair and LibrengTawag  shall also be on the menu.

The public market will hold the Palengke Festival  featuring  the Search for Cleanest and Orderly Shed, KOMAVA Day and the Search for Pogi at Byuti ng Mercado.

A Negosyo Forum will be conducted on September 5 at Gaisano Grand Mall to create opportunities for Koronadalenos to learn essential business strategies and ideas on how to start or run their own businesses.

As part of the business activity, the LGU will make the government services accessible to the people through the Grand Programang Bayanihan Para sa Mamamayan or Grand PBM  combined with the Kasalan ng Bayan and Anniversary Program on October 8 at the Rizal Park.

Other fun-filled activities, shows, tournaments and competitions are also lined- up for the people to participate and enjoy including Green Film Watching at Gaisano Grand Mall to give tribute to Mother Nature.

City Mayor Peter B. Miguel is positive that the festival will help build business and will facilitate trade and investments driven by the city’s winning edges in 2003 as Most Competitive Small-sized City and Most Business-Friendly City in 2006.

By: Caroline G. Mariano

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