Fruits of Labor from "Gulayan sa Kalinaw"

September 20, 2011, Brgy. Kamanga, Maasim, SP – As early as 6 o’clock in the morning, coming from a 5 kilometers jog along Brgy. Tinoto highway, soldiers of 73IB enjoyed harvesting and pruning the garden beds of their “Gulayan sa Kalinaw”. This project was initiated by the 73IB soldiers months ago as a program kick-off in partnership with the Office of Provincial Agriculture in order to advocate backyard gardening. 

The soldiers harvested 10 kilos of radish from their own plots which is purely organic grown. The leaves were not wasted, instead were being used for the other garden plots to serve as fertilizers. The harvested radish was being sold for P4.00 pesos each.

“We are teaching the local communities in nearby camp to be self-sustaining by simply toiling their own soil and plant vegetables. As soldiers, we would want to emphasize that we are not only safeguarding the place but also as an advocate in becoming self-reliant, creating livelihood and teaching sustainable development through the Gulayan sa Kalinaw project”, LTCOL Espuelas emphasized.

This project was also replicated to the different line companies of the unit. The Peace and Development Teams immersed in a far-flung barangays incorporate this project  to help the  natives in their areas.

73IB troopers and students conduct coastal clean-up

Malita, Davao Del Sur  (September 17,2011)- Peace and Development soldiers joined force with students of Benjamin V. Bautista Special High School in a  clean-up drive along the coastline of Brgy Fishing Village, Malita, Davao Del Sur.

The Army cares for the Environment.  Coastal clean-upTask Group Mulawin gladly extends assistance to school activities like this.  “The Peace and Development Teams (PDTs) are prepared to extend our assistance to the students for the success of their activity.  This is part of our commitment to the community in the protection and conservation of our environment”, Ltc Adolfo Espuelas, TG Mulawin Commander said.

The activity was spearheaded by the Benjamin V. Bautista Special High School Principal, Mrs Erma Sulpot, together with his staff and participated by the PDTs of Task Group Mulawin.

73IB supports anti-marijuana campaign in Sarangani

GOV. MIGS LEADS BURNING OF UPROOTED MARIJUANA : MALUNGON, Sarangani - (L-R with torches) Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit, Director Aileen Lovitos of PDEA 12 regional office, Governor Migs Dominguez, chief of staff Bren Evangelio of Sarangani Congressional office and Barangay Captain Danilo Constantino lead the burning of uprooted fully-grown marijuana in the hinterland of barangay Malabod Wednesday, September 14. 1Lt Nestor Valenzuela of 73IB leads the raid that resulted to the uprooting of 3,450 fully grown marijuana with estimated dangerous drug board(DDB) value of P1,380,000.00.

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - Vice Mayor Tito Balazon (left), who is acting mayor, leads the burning of uprooted fully grown marijuana hills. Peace and Development Team of 73IB lead by Pfc Rolando Cabungcal together with  Peace and Development Volunteers of Barangay Tuanadatu discovered and uprooted earlier more or less 498 seedlings with an estimated value of P124,500 and 1,738 fully grown marijuana hills with an estimated value of P782,100.

73IB joins the coastal clean-up month in Sarangani

COASTAL CLEAN-UP MONTH : MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) - In observance of the international coastal clean-up month,73IB joins the local government of Malapatan, provincial government of Sarangani and ALSONS Corporation through its foundation, the Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (CLAFI), in a mangrove planting and growing activity, at the shore of barangay Poblacion.

SOLDIER PREPARES MANGROVE HILLS : Army Corporal Peter Maquiling of the 73rd Infantry Battalion prepares mangrove seedlings for planting Friday, September 16, at the shore of barangay Poblacion. The activity was joined by volunteers from 73rd IB, the Department of Education, Malapatan police,4P’s beneficiaries, DILG, barangay officials, LGU-Sarangani and barangay officials and employees of the host barangay. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

SOLDIERS PLANT MANGROVE HILLS : MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 16, 2011) – 1Lt Nestor Valenzuela (center) of the 73rd Infantry Battalion leads his troops as they join other volunteers in the mangrove planting and growing activity, in observance of the international coastal clean-up month at the coast of barangay poblacion.

Fort Sarangani recieves 4 groups of visitors in a day

Kamanga, Maasim Sarangani Province – The 73IB in Brgy Kamanga, Maasim Sarangani Province has become the host of various activities of different organizations in the Philippines. Only this day, September 5, 2011, 73IB under LTC ADOLFO ESPUELAS JR accommodated four groups/organizations coming from all over the Philippines for just a day.

At 10:30 in the morning, the CSFI (Congressional Spouses Foundation Incorporated) composed of 31 congressmens spouses of the Philippines witnessed the amazing views of g the 73IB Camp tagged as the “FORT SARANGANI”.

“Our purpose here is to discover the tourist spots of Region 12 specifically in Sarangani Province, which we could also be imitated in other provinces of the Philippines, “ Mrs. Michelle Antonio, CSFI, Cagayan Valley said. She found out that Sarangani Province has the potential for tourism  which could contribute to the Philippine economic sustainability. According to her, they wanted to change the perception about Mindanao,as a hub of terrorism, into a hub of economic development and tourism.

At 1:30 in the afternoon, the group of Mindanao Development Authority, (MINDA) under the office of the President, headed by Secretary Lualhati Antonino together with the Provincial Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez and Vice Governor Steve Solon visited  “FORT SARANGANI”. The Battalion Commander then received  the Secretary  with military honors and briefed her on the activities of the Philippine Army in the area of Sarangani Province , especially on the Peace and Development efforts. Presented to her were the developmental activities done in partnership with the Provincial and Municipal Local Government units, private and public organizations in support to peace and order and sustainable development.

“I can see how the soldiers can be a big help for our projects, they have done a good job here in Sarangani. I've seen the transformation of the soldiers and their sincere commitment to  achieve peace and development. They will be having a vital role in the implementation of MINDA projects here in the province and the whole of Minddanao.” Secretary Antonino said

She mentioned also that, for several years, Region 12 has been zero when it comes to budget, and the Secretary assures that she will not let this thing happen.  She even added that she will be focusing on the water system and road concreting of the camp to further help the cccamp achieve its goal of being the fulcrum of Sarangani's tourism.

The Provincial government and 73IB  had been partners in pursuing genuine peace and sustainable development in  Sarangani.Today, the FORT SARANGANI had been hosting different people to let them see and appreciate how beautiful  Sarangani is. 

 “This camp has indeed become a must-see place in Sarangani.  We are proud to have contributed to the development of Sarangani in the area of peace-keeping and tourism.” LTC ESPUELAS said.

                                                              

Prior to these two big visitors of the Camp, the Bonsai Society of the Philippines also visited the camp and were surprised and amazed for what they have seen. They were astonished being on the top of the mountain of bonsai trees.

                                                              

Also, Fort Sarangani  accommodated  120 participants of the Barangay Lupon Tagapamayapa seminar of Maasim, Sarangani Province.