RESTORATION, RESURGENCE AND REDEMPTION Honorable Vice-Governor Elmo B.

Tolosa, Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Regional and Provincial Directors of various National Government Agencies, Members of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police, Provincial Department Heads, Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors, Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay officials, NGO and private sector representatives, representatives from the academe, friends, and distinguished guests, my fellow South Cotabateos, Good Morning.
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My friends and fellow South Cotabateos:

The things that we love tell us what we are,

This quote came from St. Thomas Aquinas, foremost theologian and philosopher and one of the church fathers, whose feast day falls today.

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It is with much jubilation and humble gladness that we are gathered here to speak about the things that we hold dear, about what we have gone through in our collective pursuit to define our identity and pride as a people and about what risks and sacrifices we can dare take on in the coming months to ensure these gains are safeguarded and upheld. Barely 19 months ago I rendered my report to you on the State of the Province and gave you a truthful depiction of the early struggles and the overwhelming challenges that we had, as well as the tasks and initiatives that we have instigated to achieve our vision for South Cotabato. It is through the wings of perseverance and the prayer of tenacity that we meet again today: prouder, more empowered, and still beholden to nobody except our children and their future. Allow me to define this years SOPA as well as the theme of my governance into: Restoration, Resurgence and Redemption.

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That is: we have restored the respect and integrity of public service to its rightful place, made the province resurgent with the strides we had in all aspects of everyday life that truly mattered, and redeemed not only for ourselves but for our children the promise of a better life. Indeed, here is the place and now is the time to remember that for South Cotabateos, the final affirmation about the nature and motive of all our hard work is contained in the bright future we seek to build for our children and their generation.

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Though the cooperation of our public officials-from our provincial leaders all the way to our city and municipal public servants, and down to our barangays and sitio captains we have restored our peoples faith in an effective and ethical leadership that consciously steered clear of what Gandhi defined as seven deadly sins:

Wealth without work Pleasure without conscience Science without humanity Knowledge without character
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Politics without principle Commerce without morality Worship without sacrifice.

Through the dedication of our government agencies and the resilient and hardworking men and women of the rank and file, we have restored our peoples high regard for the man-in-uniform, teacher, forest ranger, midwife, garbage collector, utility driver, janitor, and countless others the real heroes in our midst. Unsung maybe, but deeply appreciated.
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Unnoticed in all our pomp and pageantry perhaps, but respected and treasured in our collective heartbeat and shared gratitude, kamo

ang tuod nga AMO NA YA!, ang tuod nga karubkob sang probinsiya
kag ang tunay nga salandigan sang aton mabinungahon nga palaabuton. Through the discernment and vision of our private sector, we have restored the integrity of public office as a public trust and a sacred duty. We have seen how a genuine and transparent leadership could entice the private sector to step back, think hard and deep, and finally trust the government enough to get into a public-private partnership (PPP) that will not only benefit both parties but above all, provide merchandise, services, goodwill and lasting relationships that empower, enlighten and enrich every South Cotabateos life like never before.

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Though the valuable involvement and heartfelt commitment of every citizen to uphold the rule of law and the basic tenets of respectful and respecting relationships, we have restored order in both our ordinary lives and our extraordinary pursuits for happiness, peace and well being.

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Well beyond what I called in my inaugural speech the braying dogs which lacking any broader vision or sense of purpose about themselves, they embrace the sensation that fighting gives them. They will do anything to bring us into their arena of confrontation to ratify their existence. But we have already learned enough not to engage these people.

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In the past, I shared with you the advocacies that I have sworn to promote and to protect good governance, universal health care, affordable and relevant educational system, clean and sustainable environment, lasting peace and genuine security, and a growing economy that never sidesteps transparency, never cuts concerns and condemning corruption, and never sweeps dirt under the rug for personal gains.

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To succeed in installing an administration that will make a difference, I enjoined all our officials and agencies in outlining the basic steps and the comprehensive field guide that served as our roadmap for prosperity: starting with simple guidelines on punctuality and the No Noon Break policy to exhaustive measures with the long-arching goals and unprecedented commitment to quality, justice and social responsibility. While we are still burdened with the nagging problems and the harsh realities confronting our people poverty, disease, illiteracy, calamity, social unrest your Governor has never lost sight of the vision towards a great prosperous South Cotabato, and has remained steadfast in his conviction to attain meaningful and rewarding breakthrough in these areas. Slowly but surely, we have indeed moved forward. That is why I was deeply worried when the approval of the 2013 Annual Budget by the Sanggunian Panlalawigan seemed out of our grasp. With only a re-enacted budget at the start of the year, we had limited resources and near-empty reserves to continuously fuel the engines of our active government agencies and pumped up publicprivate partnership to unsure that the wheels of social and economic advancements are constantly grinding.

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We could have lost our momentum. We could have easily squandered away the gains we had worked so hard for. Thus, I am deeply indebted to Vice Governor Elmo Tolosa and the Six Legislators who stood their ground.

I am overwhelmed and humbled by their noble and unselfish gesture in responding to their sublime calling to ensure the passage of the 2013 Annual Budget last December 28, 2012. Because of the timely approval of the budget, we are moving in accordance with our roadmap and are excitedly back on track.
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We

salute

the

six

Kinatawans

for

their

courage

and

statesmanship and for this they deserve our warmest and loudest applause. They are Honorables Jose Madanguit, Cecile Diel, Ervin Luntao, Samuel Ladot, Jose Henry Aguirre and Pablito Subere. During the initial year of my administration, we have set the fundamentals for good governance and crafted the blueprint for sustainable growth.

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We have charted our plan of action through the Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA) and we shall see to it that we remain faithful to it, without excuses, without compromise and without reservations. Since the countless problems had to be addressed with limited resources, we had to look for innovative and unprecedented approaches without sacrificing quality, transparency, humanity, and yes, most especially, our dignity. Your Governor did not shy away from the challenges of time, place and circumstances, much more to individuals whose motives are foul; their dealings, shady; simply themselves and never the best interest of the majority. Certainly, there were risks and setbacks along the way, to which I know I am accountable for, but that is part of public service. Underneath all the struggles and battles on one hand and the obvious limitations and vulnerability as a human being on the other, I can reassure you that I can still hear that voice that calls to me beyond the merely logical or self-preserving, and in listening to that glimmer of soul, I find refuge and encouragement. Sometimes it is so weak I mistake its murmur for a rustle of wind through the leaf or a splash of fish swimming in the pond. But taking it into the core of the challenges and trials of public office, it often serves to remind me of my covenant with the people of South Cotabato.
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We departed from the trodden paths that were never effective in the first place, veered away from practices that are outdated as they are irrelevant, steered clear of unproven shortcuts, ignored the ceaseless yelping of dogs and other creatures, and came out with outside-of-the-box solutions. St. Thomas Aquinas put it clearly when he wrote If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he

would keep it in port forever.

And I will never be that captain. With your support and your trust, we shall set sail together for countless ports that promise happiness without neglect, harmony without travesty, and hegemony without conceit. Yes, even beyond rough seas and stormy weather, South Cotabato will endure and survive. As a consequence of prudence, innovation and collective labor on the part of the government, coupled with the resilience, commitment and support of the general public, we have indeed restored South Cotabato into one shining province we can be proud to call our home.

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But St. Thomas Aquinas also admonished us Better to illuminate

than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.
We saw a resurgent South Cotabato in the past couple of years, and I share with you the pride that beams up and overpowers the provincial official every time the province is recognized for its pioneering, innovative or simply inspiring programs and initiatives.

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Consider the following:

South Cotabato emerged as Regional Winner for the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi for achieving effective, transparent and accountable local governance. For this we received P 3 Million cash incentives.

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 We ranked No. 5 among 80 provinces in the country in the Local Government for Performance promoting Measurement the System of (LGPMS). We were also conferred the Seal of Good advancement

Housekeeping

transparency and accountability. With this we received the cash incentive of P 7 Million. Thank you to Director Josephine Leysa whose efforts has also been recognized by DILG 12 as the Best Provincial Office in the region.

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 Number one in the region in health care delivery, consistently one of the Top 15 Provinces in the country in the delivery of health services. Thank you Dr. Rogelio Aturdido for a job well done.

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 CROWN Awardee in Nutrition for the 2nd consecutive year and hopefully we will receive our Hall of Fame Award this year. Thanks to Ana D. Uy, to her staff and the provincial nutrition council members.

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 Conferred the Most Business Friendly LGU award by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce recognizing the provinces efforts in advocating the promotion and development of micro, small and medium scale enterprises. Thank you to the South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce for the endorsement.

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 Ranked No 1 in the region in Community Fund for Agriculture Development of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (CFAD/MRDP) implementation. The municipality of Tantangan was the top performing locality in project implementation. I was informed by World Bank Consultant in our meeting last January 15 that not only is South Cotabato number one in the Region but it is the BEST in MINDANAO. Thank you Sir Danilo Supe, Justina Navarrette and Sir Rey Legaste.
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 Our Provincial Integrated Solid Waste Management Program is one of the most recognized and replicated in the entire country. The Surallah Cluster Sanitary Landfill is recognized by the Galing Pook Foundation as one of the best Local Projects/ Initiatives in Solid Waste Management in the country.

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 Our very own Barangay Poblacion, Tupi, South Cotabato is being adjudged as among the Ten Most Outstanding LGUs of the Philippines to be conferred with the Galing Pook Awards by the Galing Pook Foundation; 1st Dungog sa Barangay Award, Most Outstanding Barangay of the Philippines by the Mass Media Organization; and 2012 Hall of Fame in Barangay Risk Reduction Management. My warmest congratulations to Punong Barangay Joselito Yabut.

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 In Education, the first batch of the 25 graduates of the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences South Cotabato Extension Campus garnered a 100% passing rate in the Midwifery Licensure Exam and two of the new midwives, Ms. Jasmin Kasi Pelmin ( No. 4) and Daiseries Joy Duco (No. 7) all from the Municipality of Polomolok placed in the Top Ten.

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 Our Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship Program (KPSP) produced 28 graduates some of them with Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude Honors, while others topped their respective board exams with Mr. Reyland Jehtro Torres as No. 5 in Accountancy Board and Michelle Servias as No.2 in Agricultural Engineering Board.

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I can go on and on about these heartwarming and good news that make us proud as South Cotabatenos. But our progress is not only measured by these achievements alone but more so by the quality of life of our people, by the job opportunities offered to them, by the three square meals they eat every day, by the clean air they breathe and the safe water that they drink and the stability of peace and order.

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Thats why we have to do more. We cannot be complacent with what we have achieved. We will face adversities as challenges and surmount them. We shall move closer to the attainment of our goals, maybe plodding but unwavering. And we have been doing them for the past 2 and half years and we will continue to do more than what weve done. We have never lost sight of our vision and have remained steadfast in our conviction to make meaningful and gainful breakthroughs in these areas of concern. The signs of vitality and dynamism of our economy are encouraging. More banks are opening. Investors are coming in. Private construction is booming. Malls are expanding. Yes, we are entering a stage in our provinces history when our economy is flourishing. In agriculture, despite crop infestation and the effects of climate change, rice and corn production is improving. We have increased land productivity with massive planting of high value commercial and industrial crops. We strongly promoted the planting of fruit trees and vegetables in schools and homes.

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The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) distributed 40,000 hills of assorted fruit trees and 600 kilos of assorted vegetable seeds to 17 schools and 21,000 households. Technology transfer and technical assistance in inland fishery produced a total of 977 million tilapia fingerlings from 2011 to 2012. Moreover, the provincial agriculture office has been implementing various agricultural support programs of the Department of Agriculture Region 12 to spur development of the agriculture sector. A total of 34,203,335 worth of projects had been implemented to include support for the provision of pre and post harvest facilities, palay seeds for calamity affected areas, high value
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commercial crop support program and technology support projects among others. The province was also able to access P 8 Million from the CFAD-MRDP which supported the plantation of 111 hectare rubber trees in Tboli wherein the province provided a counterpart of P 2 Million. Thanks to PAO Rey Legaste for his active leadership.

Through the initiatives and approaches undertaken by the province in the promotion of local products, micro, small and medium enterprises (SME) remained resilient because of our marketing support, access to financing and upgrading of equipment.
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The province launched the Credit Surety Fund by putting up 10% or P 5 Million of the surety fund while Central Bank made available P35 Million as initial fund thereby providing cooperatives with easy credit access to embark on small and medium investment ventures. As we speak, two cooperatives have availed of the surety fund The MultiFruits Cooperative of Tboli for P5 Million and SOCOMECO for P10 Million.

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Livestock and hogs remain the provinces major exports to Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. To protect this principal income-earner of the province, regular veterinary extension services and disease monitoring and surveillance are conducted province-wide.

Upgrading the genetics of locally-borne animals yielded 1,285 artificially-inseminated livestock. To augment household incomes, the province has dispersed 10,592 animals consisting of carabao, cattle,

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goats, chickens and ducks. Thanks to Dr. Lorna Lamorena and Dr. Raul Teves.

Sufficient and safe infrastructure are designed and strategized to generate jobs and support our agricultural and economic growth. The farm-to-market roads we have constructed under the Food Security Program will ensure access of commodities from key production areas to the market. 14 mini-gyms costing a total of P18 Million were

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constructed in various barangays to enhance people empowerment and support our grassroots sports development program.

Concreting of 7 road projects amounting to P44 million have been completed. Rehabilitation and concreting of the Banga-Norala Road has ensued phase by phase pending available funds. The concreting will replace the inferior asphalt surfacing constructed by the previous administration. Most of the road surface are now riddled with potholes and is almost impassable. To complete the concreting of the remaining 12 kilometers will cost an estimated P120 Million.
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I have personally conferred with Secretary Alcala regarding this problem and he has advised me to submit a proposal. While waiting for his approval of this project we have already appropriated P 23 Million to continue the concreting. We have also started the concreting of the 4 lanes road at Barangay Cannery in Polomolok and appropriated P 10 Million for another kilometer. Thanks to Engr. Marnilo Aperocho for his untiring efforts.

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We have enrolled 16,140 families under the Philhealth Medical Insurance program and we will continue to expand implementation of the Universal Coverage of The Philhealth Indigency Program based on the Community Health Living Standard Survey (CHLSS) data to help identify indigent families.

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We are also upgrading the services and facilities of our hospitals through the utilization of the P26 Million fund from the Department of Health for enhancement of health facilities. Our partnership with Mahintana Foundation through the Health Plus Shop in a Shop and various Party-List groups, such as the YACAP, Bayan Muna, Akbayan, Kabataan, ACT Teachers, and with Senators Trillanes and Pangilinan, has ensured affordable medicines to poor clients.

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While the South Cotabato Provincial hospital was upgraded to a 200-bed capacity Tertiary Hospital in 2008, it will be further decongested with the completion and operation of the Allah Valley Community Hospital this year.

The community hospital will serve the 5 Allah Valley Municipalities of Surallah, Lake Sebu, Tboli, Banga and Sto. Nino with special attention to indigenous communities.

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The P53 Million community hospital is a Public-Private Partnership project with San Miguel Corporation donating P25 Million, The Department of Health giving 28 Million pesos and the Municipality of Suralla donating the five hectare lot. It is now 60% complete. Thanks to Mr. Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation, Mayor Romulo Solivio Sr. and the Department of Health for their support.

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Massive information drive and training activities were undertaken by the Provincial Health Office to reduce infant/child mortality, maternal mortality and reduce infectious diseases such as TB, Malaria and Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV-AIDS. As a result South Cotabato is now Malaria-free as declared by the DOH. Thanks to Dr. Rogelio Aturdido for his active leadership. Hand in hand, our population program has shaped effectivelymanaged families, responsible adolescents and gender-responsive

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populace.

We are rightly proud of the 2012 Model Family of South

Cotabato Mr. and Mrs. Elpidio Boston of Polomolok. Our locally-modified model on enhancing parenting and

responsible parenthood was recognized as the Most Outstanding Local Practice in Population Management and Development in the Region last 2012.

The Responsible Adolescence Campaign is now substantially contributing to the reduction of teenage pregnancies in the province.
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Gender mainstreaming is almost complete. The enactment of the Provincial Gender and Development Code assures everyone that regardless of age, sex, economic, religious and political affiliations one can contribute to and equally benefit from development processes. Thanks to Mr. Simforiano Farrofo.

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The province has partnered with the Alfonso T. Yuchengco Foundation Inc. for free surgical missions. 151 clients availed of the free surgical procedures for myoma/ovarian cysts, thyroid and cleft lip/palate.

Likewise, in partnership with the Dental Seminars and Mission by Belgium.

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53 Belgian dentists and dental technicians came to our province with Dr. Eric Sembrano, Operation Smile Foundation (Dr.Joselito Sembrano), Davao Medical School Foundation School of Dentistry, served a total of 6,110 dental and 45 surgical patients.

The largest dental mission conducted in the provinces history.

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Free health services were delivered to 16,953 to indigents and indigenous peoples in the barangays during our summer medical and dental missions aptly known as Halad ni Gov. Dodo Para sa Barangay Health Improvement Program.

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Our massive campaign on rabies eradication through vaccination has resulted to a significant decrease in the incidence of rabies in humans.

Our collaboration of DOLE Philippines/Mahintana Foundations Kapit-Bisig Para sa Kabataan project, Save the Children, Feed the Children, Bethesda Ministry, LGUs and other private organizations has expanded our supplementary feeding program benefiting 11,723 malnourished grade school children and 9,309 malnourished pre-school children.
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A combination of household food assistance, provision of vitamins and nutrition education gave malnutrition. long-lasting results in combating These nutrition initiatives have decreased the overall

prevalence of malnutrition in the province by at least 1% annually. A million thanks to you our development partners especially to Maria Ana Uy, our Provincial Nutrition Action Officer.

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We have broadened our welfare programs for women, children, senior citizens and the marginalized and vulnerable groups in terms of capacity building, productivity skills enhancement and financial assistance.

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Our micro-financing for women started with 2 SEAK associations in 2010 with P275,000 program funds and exponentially increased to 50 associations amounting to P5.5 Million. Responding to various individuals in crisis situations due to loss of family members, illness and calamities, we assisted an average of 4,125 clients yearly amounting to P 4.5 Million.

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Majority of our people live in rural areas and admittedly we have a long way to go towards improving their way of life and providing them with basic services.

To reach far flung and depressed barangays, we have conducted 19 community outreach missions providing food, medical services, eye check up and provision of eye glasses, dental services, distribution of plant materials, animal deworming and other services.

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We acknowledge the untiring efforts and volunteerism of our day care workers and nutrition scholars. As a token of our deep appreciation and gratitude to their daily heroism, we have increased their honorarium and offered other incentives. As part of our continuing campaign to promote the gains of improved local governance, we have sustained and enhanced our South Cotabato Convergence Model project to 39 poor and underserved barangays engaging the volunteer services of more than 1,437 barangay

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core group volunteers and helping the province actively implement our various development interventions. In our continuing advocacy to bring the capitol closer to the people, for three consecutive years, the province conducted the Paskuhan sa Kapitolyo giving Christmas treats to members of our various sectors such as the senior citizens, vendors, laborers, LGBTs, youth and children. I would like to express our profound gratitude to all those who supported us in this endeavor. And what about our school children? When I assumed office, I have inherited the shortage of classrooms, teachers, chairs and textbooks. This is further aggravated by the increase of incoming school children every year. For 2012-2013, we need 110 additional classrooms and 15,613 chairs for elementary schools and 50 classrooms and 5,530 chairs for secondary schools. Thus, we have distributed 800 chairs for daycare/kinder, 250 tables and 7,500 arm chairs in partnership with DOLE Philippines, Mahintana Foundation, SMI, DENR and DepEd.

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We have already hired 72 provincial school board teachers to initially address the shortage of teachers in the province. We are currently undertaking a school-building program to meet the annual requirements and at the same time gradually eliminate the existing shortages. Under our Special Education Fund, we have allocated P15 Million for the construction of at least 24 new classrooms P 10 Million for the construction of 66 Multipurpose buildings.

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Utilizing various partnership schemes such as the DepEd (1:1 scheme), Chiu Bun Gim (3:2 scheme) and that of the Dole Philippines Matching Grant Scheme we can be assured that by 2015, South Cotabato will no longer have a backlog in classrooms and chairs. But that decision is yours to make. Education is slowly ceasing to be a reality to the poor. And this is even more true about college education. most students. landing a job.
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It will remain a dream for

A high school diploma is no longer an assurance in

So we are working hard to provide various options for our children to succeed in their chosen careers and to have better job opportunities.

We are expanding the Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship and Grants-In-Aid Program to accommodate tertiary scholars, modular/short courses and secondary and primary school grantees. This year alone, the program has 378 scholars, taking degree and non-degree courses entailing an appropriation of P15 Million.

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A total assistance of P1.2 Million was allocated to 159 students taking modular or short courses. A total of 13,498 Primary (8, 501) primary and secondary ( 4,997) school grantees entailed an appropriation of P 7.9 Million.

Our scholarship program is on the right track. The latest batch of Kabugwason Scholars produced board topnotchers one 5th Placer in Accountancy (Reyland Jethro Torres) and one 2nd Placer in Agricultural Engineering (Ms. Michelle Servias).

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Thanks to KPSP Provincial Scholarship Committee headed by Mrs. Estelita L.Retirado and actively supported by Mr. Orlando Dela Cruz, Mr. Jimmy Unsoy, Mr. Roy Moreno, Mr. Jun Dingding, Mr. Josse Teruel, Pastor Eddie Tomarong and Ms. Dolores Edica as Committee members; and the KPSP Technical Committee headed by Mr. Alex D. Basco and assisted by Mrs. Felipa Asentista. We have also increased our budget for the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) to accommodate more students needing financial assistance to support their studies. The quality of our math and science education should be at par globally. The demand for innovation through research and technology is the name of the game now. That is why, we worked and fought for the establishment of the Philippine Science High School of the Department of Science and Technology in Koronadal. The initial school buildings are underway and scheduled to open this June 2013.

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The funds for the construction have come from the following: P 2 Million from Mayor Peter B. Lopez of YACAP Party-list provincial coffers. The Provincial Government donated the five (5)- hectare property as the site. Miguel; P 2 Million from Congressman and a P 5 Million counterpart from the Angelo B. Pulmones of Agham Party-list; P 5 Million from Rep. Carol

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The provision of computers to various schools in the province will be a continuing program in order to sustain our ICT advocacy and to enhance our students access to information. Thus, we have allocated P 4.3 Million from our Special Education Fund (SEF) and another P 5 Million from the Seal of Good Housekeeping for the purchase of at least 350 computers with accessories for distribution to various schools. The provincial government would like to ensure that all public elementary school teachers be equipped with learning curriculum manuals. We started with the distribution of 2,000 manuals.
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Likewise, 2,788 NAT reviewers for Grade Six, 1,000 NAT reviewer for 4th Year students and 1,538 workbooks have been turned over to Dep Ed.

To ensure the existence and operation of the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences, we have subsidized its maintenance and operating expenses at P1.5 Million yearly. We are also providing P3 Million for construction of buildings and facilities based on the approved master plan.

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In tandem with our education support program, we are strongly sustaining our sports development program through the various activities and projects spearheaded by the province, such as our yearly sports aral program or kasibulan which benefitted almost 3,000 students, regular conduct of sports competition and events, provision of sports accessories to our various local sports councils and the granting of financial assistance to various sports clubs. Worthy to note is the support to the province of members of the Philippine Azkals particularly Mr. Jason Sabio who is the grandson of the owner of Celemas Mr. Celedonio donyong Abantao and the Hosting of the province of the 7th BIMP-EAGA (Brunie, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines- East Asia Growth Area) Friendship Games. Promoting South Cotabato as a socio-economic-educational and tourism hub means improving the outside worlds perception of our province as a safe and orderly destination where peace and harmony abound. It is also our mandate to keep lawless elements and disorderly factors away from our very own people. Residents and visitors alike, without exception, must observe the rule of law.

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These were my exact thoughts when I assumed office. My first imperative step was to strengthen our police force and provide the necessary logistical support to both the South Cotabato PNP and the 27th IB Philippine Army. Without hesitation, I acted immediately. Vehicles, motorcycles, peace-keeping equipment and other facilities were provided to them. CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras were installed at the 5 major entry points of the province to monitor vehicles entering and leaving the province.

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Indeed, our gallant men in uniform have risen to the occasion garnering the Best in Provincial Command in Region XII under Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Randolf Delfin and Best Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) under the leadership of Superintendent James Gultimatico, in the entire country for CY 2012. Also, SPO3 Renjun Ortiz Bagaman of the South Cotabato Provincial Police Command was chosen as one of the countrys Ten Most Outstanding Policemen in Service while SPO4 Diogenes Hare of Sto. Nio, was chosen as the countrys Most Outstanding PNP Model Family. In the same vein, Senior Officer (SFO4) Eugene A. Sarbida was selected as one the most Ten Most Outstanding Filipino Fire Fighters. Like any other province in the country, we have not been spared from acts of violence and lawlessness. But definitely, it has gone down and continues to go down further. From 2010 to 2011 alone, the volume of crimes decreased to 38% with the lowest crime rate registered in November 2012 at 27%. We have pioneered the Halfway-out program in coordination with the Parole and Probation Office in giving those who were jailed but is qualified to post bail a second chance in life.

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The statistics are very reassuring. Police Senior Superintendent Delfin:

Quoting from the report of

The province of South Cotabato is the most peaceful place in the region where people can go wherever they want without being harassed or intimidated. Crime rates went down because of the police relentless effort to stop all forms of illegal activities with active support of the community and the local government units.

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Developments that have dramatically improved the atmosphere of peace and order in the province have tremendously boosted our tourism program. In 2012, the total number of tourists who visited the province reached nearly 60,000. Among them are 57,239 domestic tourists and 361 foreign guests. As you may have closely observed, the number of foreigners and balikbayans attending our Tnalak Festival has been steadily increasing over the years.

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The Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) is now actively implementing an Eco-Cultural Tourism project in Allah Valley in partnership with Local Economic Develoment (LGSP-LED) and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). As the AVLDA Chairperson, I was invited along with the Program Manager Silverio Tandog, to a 15-day learning exchange in Ontario, Canada last November.

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The trip focused on how local government can maximize the impact of tourism on their local economies while conserving and protecting the environment. Thanks to Mr. Andrew Farncombe, Country Program Manager of CIDA, Philippines for facilitating and welcoming us in Canada and for supporting our LED Program in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato with P6.5 Million financial assistance. On the other hand, we have strengthened and enhanced our quarry mining permitting and monitoring systems. We have installed checkpoints with CCTV cameras in strategic areas at Tboli. The issuance of Executive Order No 28, Series of 2011, mandated the identified barangays with illegal hydraulic (banlas) mining to intensify monitoring. The creation of the Provincial Anti-Banlas Intelligence and Investigation Task Force authorized anti-banlas raids and resulted in a series of illegal quarrying and mining apprehensions.

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We also issued stoppage orders to tunnel operators and mineral processors without permits and conducted four (4) massive anti-banlas raids and series of illegal quarrying and mining apprehensions leading to the arrest of thirteen (13) small scale mining and thirty two quarry violators. From merely fifteen (15) mineral processing permits and two (2) mining permits in the past years, we were able to regulate and increase compliance to sixty four (64) mineral processors and one hundred fifty nine (159) tunnel operators. As a result, we were able to increase mining revenue to P2, 330, 388.00 almost tripling the

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combined revenues of 2008, 2009 and 2010 which totaled only to P838, 854.00.

We even doubled the mining revenue in 2012, reaching P5,644,975.00 , surpassing the combined previous 10-year mining collections. And we hit the all-time record high quarry and mining revenue collection of P 9,276,965.85 in 2011 posting a 67% increase from 2010 and breaking it again with a collection of P 15,790,315 in CY 2012. Our program on mineral resources is gaining national recognition and was chosen to be presented in the Mindanao Conference on
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Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining held in Ateneo de Davao University last November 16, 2012 for Current Initiatives and Practices on Artisanal and Small Scale Mining. My thanks to Mr. Siegfred Flaviano for the good leadership he has shown. Now, how prepared are we against disasters as we now face serious threats from more intense tropical cyclones, drastic changes in rainfall patterns and increased frequency of tornadoes ? First we would like to thank former Gov. Larry de Pedro for accepting the call to be the Provincial Administrator and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer. For sure, his expertise and wide experience in local governance, having served the province for 9 years as governor and 5 years as representative will surely benefit the people of South Cotabato. We are exhausting all efforts to establish disaster risk reduction and management program integrating our policies and plans for sustainable development and building resilience of our communities to disaster and climate change. In June 2012, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the Disaster Risk Reduction /Climate Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA) Enhanced Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) were consequence and risk maps for flood, landslide and other geologic
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hazards have been considered.

We assisted in the preparation of

Municipal/ City Comprehensive Land Use Plans integrating DRR/CCA. Thanks to the brainy and strong leadership of our PPDC Danilo Supe.

We also provided guidelines in conducting disaster risk assessment and determining vulnerabilities of their area to various types of disasters. They have prepared hazard maps pinpointing specific barangays and communities at risk to flood and landslides.

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41 Barangay Disaster Action Teams composed of 820 volunteer have been organized province-wide. The team members have been trained to lead disaster response efforts in the barangay while waiting for the more equipped teams from the local disaster risk reduction and management offices. The barangays are provided with first aid kits and spine boards for immediate disaster response. The training is in partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross South Cotabato Chapter under its chairman Mr. Orlando Dela Cruz and its administrator Mr. Dixie Villar.

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Our Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is equipped with 2 motorcycles, 1 self-loading truck, 1 ambulance, search and rescue equipment and 10 rescue vehicles to be assigned to the initial strategic barangays. The PDRRMO has already formulated its manual of operations that will serve as guide in disaster response activities.

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It has conducted Incident Command System training to 140 participants and Search and Rescue Proficiency Enhancement Training to 2,400 participants. As proof of the capability of our PDRRMO, it has quickly responded by assisting 2, 317 families who were victims of tornado incidents, 27 flashfloods and 7 landslides in the past 3 years. 4, 727 sacks of rice have been distributed for food-for-work activities in various communities for the repair of barangay roads and for victims of disasters.

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Our reforestation and tree planting programs has focused on disaster-vulnerable areas.

Our PEMO (Provincial Environment and Management Office) has planted a total of 10,000 bamboo seedlings in Koronadal City, Tampakan, Surallah and Norala to strengthen riverbank rehabilitation.

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The AVLADA established Reforestation and Upstream Resource Management (RURM) sites in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat and in Colongolo, Suralla while constructing Riverbank Protection along Allah River in Ambalgan, Sto Nino.

The PEO has also constructed 7 flood control systems amounting to P6 Million to provide flood control and drainage in high-risk areas.

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Even as we suffer from various calamities and disasters in our own backyard, we have extended a helping hand to areas hard-hit by Typhoon Pablo by giving financial/ commodity assistance of P500,000 each to the devastated provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley and sent a medical mission to the Municipality of New Bataan. A common problem of local government unit is financing its programs and projects for the delivery of quality services to the people.

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We have employed a number of innovations in the management of our finances and work continuously to increase our tax and revenue collections. We installed systems and procedures for prudent and judicious use of resources.

The revenue of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital has reached as much as P 87 Million as compared to 56 Million in 2011 and 49 Million in 2009.

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What is most significant of these figures is the fact that out of the P87 Million income in 2012, P 77 Million came from Philhealth while only P9.8 Million came from the pockets of our hospital clients. While in the year 2009 income, only P23 Million came from Philhealth while P26 Million came from the pockets of our hospital patients. My congratulations to Dr. Conrado achievement. Let me present to you the Chart of Hospital Income from 2009 2012. Brana for this remarkable

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On the other hand, our income from the Zipline Operation in Lake Sebu increased to almost P 4.4 Million in 2012.

After a long wait, Real Property tax payments from SOCOTECO 1 and SMART/PILTEL amounting to P91 Million has been enforced under a compromise agreement.

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The General Revision of Real Property Assessment increased our total tax collectibles. We have set the highest RPT collection in the region and achieved the highest actual collection rate as well. Thanks to Mrs. Elvira Rafael, Mr. Ed Siason and Engr. Roberto Deanon. We have also submitted a proposal to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to create economic enterprises as new sources of revenue. We shall submit more revenue measures to fund our development requirements. But this might not be enough. What emboldens us to embark on new projects and sustain our continuing programs is the strong and invaluable partnership of the provincial government with the private sector and non-government organizations.

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As pointed out by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: You cannot have development in todays world without partnership with the private sector. Our resources for school classrooms and chairs were doubled because of the matching scheme with Mahintana Foundation and Chiu Bun Gim Foundation.

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The success of the nutrition program in supplementary feeding is supported by various non-government organization such as Mahintana Foundation, Rotary Clubs of Koronadal, various Dole Philippines cooperatives, Bethesda Ministries International and Save the Children.

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The Allah Valley Community Hospital was made possible because San Miguel Corporation fulfilled its commitment to provide P25 Million in addition to the 28 Million contributions from the Department of Health (DOH) and the land donation of the Municipality of Surallah. We are also indebted to various foundations which conducted medical and dental missions benefiting thousands of our people. These goes as well to private entities who have been supporting the annual Tnalak Festival. A million thanks for your generosity.
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These are just some of our many enabling partners. Many more are working silently and anonymously to help the province fulfill its vision. To them, we are forever grateful. To raise the level of public service, we have introduced administrative reforms and innovations. Most of which were outlined in my first State of the Province Address. performance. The improvement of our administrative machinery will apparently be the improvement of our

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We have also developed a more creative role of the provincial government in the delivery of services. We would like also to have an empowered, committed and contented bureaucracy. Government compensation is already at par with the private sector at the entry and lower levels. The disparity begins as the position gets higher. This month, the last tranche of the salary increase will be received by our employees. The lowest-ranked employee will receive a basic salary of P9,000 per month plus other fringe benefits and bonuses. We have to reinvigorate and energize our civil service. We cannot simply accept that security of tenure as a refuge for incompetence and mediocrity. I would like therefore to see the recruitment and the entry of new blood to all offices at various levels in the provincial government. We have tasked a committee to study strengthening of the organizational structure and functions of the provincial government.

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Our capability building program has been institutionalized. Trainings are conducted for new skills proficiency and staff development.

We sponsored scholarships for provincial employees and by the end of March 2013 we will have 26 graduates of Masters in Tropical Risk Management from the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU).

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Our Finance Building is nearing completion. It now houses the Budget, Accounting and Treasury Offices and will provide a comfortable work place for other offices. We are swift to discipline erring officials and employees but not without due process. As taken from Ovid: A ruler should be slow to punish and swift to reward. The Administrative Investigation Eleven (11) Committee handled Thirteen (13) administrative cases. months suspension.
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cases were decided imposing varying penalties from reprimand to 2

We have also instituted our version of the Seal of Good Housekeeping through the Dungog sa Barangay Program that I have implemented. It aims to ensure that the barangays are responsive to the needs of the people by instituting the principles of transparency and good governance. At the beginning of my term, knowing that the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan came from various political affiliations and probably of different platforms of government, I decided that our relationship would be one of critical collaboration and qualified support. This year we will allocate P 3 Million as incentives to puroks who are supportive of the barangay programs. For the past 2 years, I applauded the performance of our Legislators who did their job with passion and impartiality.

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Under the leadership of Vice Governor Tolosa, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan produced landmark legislations like : Formulating and adopting the first Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA) of the province, Approval and adoption of the 2013-2019 DRR/CCA Enhanced Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan considered a first in the region, and,

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 The approval the 2011 Revenue code, Gender and Development Code, Provincial Health and Sanitation Code and Code of General Ordinances that will reinforce implementation of special programs. have passed 821 resolutions. From the time they assumed office in 2010 up to December 2012 last year, they

They have accomplished so much in so short a time and the success of our efforts was anchored on their support.

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They have never failed us by endorsing and approving our priority proposals through legislations. If we can count on their continued support and stand true to their motto: Legislation beyond Partisanship, then success is easily within our reach and vision can turn to reality. Amidst all these accomplishments, there is much work that needs to be done. We cannot simply rest and be contended with all these statistics and figures. If they mean any worth at all, it is simply because all of us stood up to be counted, contributed our share and validated what we know all along: there is strength in unity and progress in solidarity. And we are proud to say that we did all that with integrity, transparency, honesty and respect to each other and to ourselves. Last year was the most devastating one for my family. I lost Mama in February and Tatay passed away in October. They would have been right there among you, listening to all our successes and setbacks, but proud of their decision to settle in Marbel when staying in the States could have been a more lucrative career path over half a century ago. But they chose what used to be a swampy, mosquito-infested, heavily forested area over the comforts of the metropolis because they felt this was where they were most needed.
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Their legacy was service, and their rewards, humanity. It is in their honor that I dedicated this SOPA. Throughout all those dark and cold days, I was blessed with the presence of family, the support of friends, the encouragement of my fellow elective officials, the understanding of the rank and file at the Provincial Capitol, the prayer of the people of South Cotabato, and even the comfort of strangers. But as much as death remains a part of life, I look forward to 2013 with much anticipation and hope. I am awaiting the arrival of a grandson later this year. The May 2013 election is fast approaching. Once again, the nation will be preoccupied with the pressures and excesses of this political exercise. Am I in this solely for power or prestige or dereliction? Allow me to reiterate my covenant as I did over two years ago. I wouldnt have dreamed about giving up the comforts of a regular routine except to serve. I wouldnt have the brass to stand here before you if the only word I had to speak were the ones for my own interest. I am here, Heaven help me, because from time to time I am given something of my late fathers wisdom to speak about being a good person despite the cleverness and clutter of my own voice. Your duty, he tells me, is to be the hands and feet and mouths of one who has no
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other hands or feet or mouths except your own. Whatever incentives you obtain, whatever fringe benefits you get hold of, your recompense will be the respect and faith of your people. Whatever real success you have will be measured finally in terms of how well you please not anyone else in the world, but the next generation of South Cotabateos. They are the ones who will be hurt by your failures. If you are healed, comforted, carried through during the dark times, the thought that you have done something to secure their future will be your sustaining grace because there is no one in this world with the hope enough at stake and power enough to appreciate your legacy. By investing in the future, you strip away your own personal desires and needs in the present. I enjoin you to share this journey to the future in the coming months. We are all on the same journey whether we like it or not. We share the same pain, the same confusions, the same fears, which if put between us, lose their edges and so cut us less.

Sa akon mga kasimanwa, the greatest lesson that I have learned

as your Governor for the past 2 years is that anything is possible. Let the sleeping dogs lie, let the dictators rant and rave till they get blue in the face. We can do everything if we work together as a people. This is why finding what we love, finding what we are, is building a bright tomorrow for South Cotabato. For what truly keeps us alive can keep
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the province alive, whatever the cost. And beyond the uncertainties of time, a life of service makes us a valuable member of the community.

And as St. Thomas Aquinas prays: Grant me, O Lord my God, a

mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen. Madamo gid nga salamat kag sa liwat,
Maayong Aga.

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