The Regional Development Updates (RDU) is the regular quarterly publication of RDC XII and NEDA XII containing development updates, news, reports and other relevant information on various activities of the Council, Local Government Units, Regional Line Agencies, State Universities and Colleges and Private Sector in the region.

1. China hands over drug rehab center
in Sarangani to PH government

2. Editor-in-Chief
RD TERESITA SOCORRO C. RAMOS
Associate Editor
ARD NOEL E. QUIRATMAN
Contributing Editors
JULIE ESPERANZA B. CHUNG
MARIA FELICIDAD R. GUERRERO
MA. LULU E. VALENCIA
EDEN F. RIDAO
GUILLERMO R. MANRIQUE, JR.
RDU Focal Persons
LALAINE M. SAJELAN
SANDRA J. ALIDO
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
EVIE A. CABULANAN
JOSEPH DIDIUS L. CLAVE
MYRA L. SAJO
Photographer
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Layout Artist
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Contributors
PIA XII
PSA XII
Sarangani Communications Services
EDITORIAL BOARD
The Regional Development Updates
(RDU) is published quarterly by the Regional
Development Council (RDC) XII with
editorial office at the National Economic and
Development Authority Regional Office XII,
PrimeRegionalGovernmentCenter,Carpenter
Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato,
with Telephone No.: (083) 228-9203,
Fax: (083) 228-9203. The Editorial Board
reserves the right to edit the manuscript for
reasons of space and clarity. RDU assumes no
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CONTENTS
RDC XII holds 64th
Regular Meeting;
approves 2020 Investment Program
China hands over drug rehab center in
Sarangani to PH government
RDC XII enjoins the Provinces of
Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani
to establish Malaria elimination hubs
On our cover is the the P350-million
SOCCSKSARGEN Drug Abuse
Treatment and Rehabilitation Center
(SDATRC), the first completed
infrastructure project funded by
the Republic of China. It is located
on top of a hill overlooking the
Sarangani Bay in Barangay Kawas
in Alabel, Sarangani Province. The
three-hectare lot was donated by the
Sarangani provincial government.
(Photo Source: PSA XII and Sarangani
Communications Service)
33
Sarangani Provincial Jail receives
national awards
SOCCSKSARGEN Regional
Development Council Sectoral
Committees Identify Top 5 Projects for
Implementation in CY 2020
RPMC XII Monitors Surallah-Lake
Sebu-Maitum Road Projects
Volume 16 | Issue No. 4 | October - December 2018
55
66
88
99
2 | Regional Development Updates | October - December 2018
1010
RSC XII spearheads 7th
Data Dissemination
and Research Utilization Forum77

3. October - December 2018 | Regional Development Updates | 3
China hands over drug rehab center
in Sarangani to PH government
KORONADAL CITY, South
Cotabato – The People’s Republic
of China (PRC) on December
17, 2018 turned over the multi-
million drug abuse treatment
and rehabilitation facility it built
in Sarangani Province to the
Philippine government.
Economic and Commercial
Counsellor Jin Yuan of the
Chinese Embassy in the
Philippines and Consul General
Li Lin of the Chinese Consulate
in Davao City led the PRC
delegation in the handover of the
P350-million SOCCSKSARGEN
Drug Abuse Treatment and
Rehabilitation Center (SDATRC)
to Health Secretary Francisco
Duque III who led the team
representing the Philippine
Government.
Counsellor Yuan noted that the
treatment and rehabilitation in
Sarangani is the “first completed
China-funded infrastructure
project in the Philippines.”
“The completion of this cozy
center fully demonstrates that the
Chinese government will never
let you down. The Chinese will
always be by your side in the
campaign against drugs,” he said.
The SDATRC project was
implemented by the Chinese
government. It is located on top
of a hill overlooking the Sarangani
Bay in Barangay Kawas in Alabel.
The three-hectare lot was donated
by the Sarangani provincial
government.
The facility consists of an
administration/admission building
and clinic, dormitories for male
and female patients, visitors’ hall,
staff house, multipurpose covered
court, workshop, and mess halls.
In his message during the
inauguration, Consul General Lin
emphasized that the project is
proof of the Chinese government’s
support for President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte’s massive campaign
against illegal drugs.
“We admire deeply President
Rodrigo Duterte for his courage
and perseverance in the fight
against drugs regardless of the
accusations of the so-called
human rights violation by western
countries. I remember President
Duterte said, ‘You care about
human rights, I care about human
lives.’”
“China provides both moral
and material support to the
Philippines’ anti-drug campaign
because we have a painful history
and we understand what you are
fighting is a just cause for your
people and your country, a cause
that deserves the respect of the
Chinese people,” he said.
On his part, Sec. Duque described
the SDATRC as “a product of a
strong and fruitful partnership”
between the Philippines and
China.
By: Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII

4. “This project was established
to address the needs for more
rehabilitation centers for Filipino
PWUD (persons who use drugs),”
Sec. Duque said.
He also emphasized that the
center is an important component
of government’s war against
illegal drugs.
“The administration of President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte considers
the issue of drug abuse and
dependency a public health
priority and the Department of
Health, through the Dangerous
Drug Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Program is committed
to strengthening the prevention
and treatment of substance abuse
including narcotic drug abuse and
harmful use of alcohol,” he said.
At present, he added, DOH has 15
drug treatment and rehabilitation
centers throughout the country.
By 2022, all each region should
have at least one drug abuse and
treatment center.
“The construction of various
treatment and rehabilitation
centers throughout the country
represents the human face of the
fight against the proliferation
of illegal drugs spawning and
victimizing many of our people,
especially the youth.”
Several times during the event,
Sec. Duque lauded the Chinese
government for the record-time
completion of the infrastructure
project.
Government-owned China
State Construction Engineering
Corporation, Ltd. (CSCEC)
finished the entire project
nine months ahead of target
completion. Construction started
in January this year and was
originally set to be finished in 21
months.
Dr. Butch Dulduco, officer-in-
charge of the rehabilitation and
treatment center told Philippine
Information Agency that the
center will begin operations in the
first quarter of 2019.
Services include in-patient
rehabilitation, out-patient
after care, drug dependency
examination, drug testing, and
counseling.
However, Dr. Dulduco clarified
that they can only admit patients
who are ordered by the court for
admission to the facility based on
the recommendation of a DOH-
accredited drug dependency
examiner.
According to a facility briefer
that DOH distributed during the
activity, the cost of treatment
and rehabilitation at the
SOCCSKSARGEN Drug Abuse
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Center (SDATRC) could
range from P8,000 to P10,000
depending on the patient’s
classification, which will be
determined by the social welfare
officer.
The construction of the SDATRC
was an offshoot of the agreement
reached during the talks between
President Duterte and President
Xi Jinping in October 2016.
Another Chinese-funded drug
abuse treatment and rehabilitation
project is expected to be
completed in Agusan del Sur early
next year.
Department of Health Secretary
Francisco Duque III and Consul General
Li Lin, , Consulate of the People’s
Republic of China in Davao, unveil the
marker of the SOCCSKSARGEN Drug
Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation
Center at Barangay Kawas,
Sarangani on December 17, 2018.
(Source: https://www.facebook.com/
SaranganiCommunicationsService)
4 | Regional Development Updates | October - December 2018

5. October - December 2018 | Regional Development Updates | 5
RDC XII holds
64th
Regular
Meeting;
approves 2020
Investment
Program
By: Guillermo R. Manrique, Jr.
NEDA XII-DRD
City of Cotabato – Regional
Development Council (RDC)
XII conducted its 64th
Regular
Meeting on December 12, 2018 at
the EM Manor Hotel in Cotabato
City. The meeting was graciously
hosted by the City Government
of Cotabato City under the able
and dynamic leadership of Hon.
Cynthia Frances Guiani-Sayadi.
Mayor Guiani-Sayadi personally
welcomed the Council members.
RDC XII Chairperson and General
Santos City Mayor Ronnel C.
Rivera emphasized in his opening
message that aside from the
usual reporting of the matters
discussed in the meetings of the
Council’s Sectoral and Affiliate
Committees, one of important
agenda items to be discussed
was the SOCCSKSARGEN CY
2020 Annual Investment Program
(AIP).
The AIP contains the priority
programs and projects of the
region toward the attainment of
the development goals enunciated
in the Regional Development Plan
(RDP), 2017-2022. The CY 2020
AIP of Region XII as approved by
the Council has a total budgetary
requirement of P130.56 Billion.
Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) XII got the
highest investment requirement
of P50.89 Billion followed by
Department of Agriculture (DA)
XII and Office of the Presidential
Assistant on the Peace Process
(OPAPP) amounting to P22.41
Billion and P16.44 Billion,
respectively.
Mayor Guiani of Cotabato City receives her Plaque of Appreciation from RDC XII
Chair Rivera for graciously hosting the 64th
RDC XII Meeting as RDC XII Vice-Chair
Ramos stand on her side.
Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon during the Inauguration
and Turn-over Ceremony of the SOCCSKSARGEN Drug Abuse
Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at Barangay Kawas Alabel
on December 17, 2018. (Source: https://www.facebook.com/
SaranganiCommunicationsService)
RDC XII holds ... page 8

6. PROJECT MONITORING PROJECT MONITORING
10 | Regional Development Updates | April - June 20176 | Regional Development Updates | October - December 2018
PROJECT MONITORING PROJECT MONITORING
RPMC XII MONITORS
SURALLAH-LAKE SEBU-MAITUM ROAD PROJECTS
By: Apollo Y. Manlawe, NEDA XII-DRD
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – The Regional Project
Monitoring Committee (RPMC)
XII monitored the Surallah-Lake
Sebu-Maitum road projects on
October 24-25, 2018.
Members of the RPMC visited the
Php27.380 million Road Widening
of Surallah-Lake Sebu-Maitum
Road K1753+000-K1754+000
project on October 24, 2018. The
project had an overall physical
accomplishment of 90.12%
as of the visit that covers the
widening of the 1 kilometer road
from 2 lanes to 4 lanes plus the
construction of drainage canal and
slope connection structures.
On October 25, 2018, RPMC
visited 3 projects, the Upgrading
of Surallah-Lake Sebu-Maitum
Chainage 840-Chainage 3100;
Chainage 5340-Chainage 9900;
and Chainage 9900-Chainage
15080 at Barangay Ned, Lake
Sebu, South Cotabato.
The Php186.98 Million
Chainage 840-Chainage 3100
is a 2.260-kilometer road
concreting project, which has an
accomplishment of 55.05% as of
the visit that includes earthwork
activities, roadway excavations
and embankment. The project is
targeted to be completed on May
9, 2019.
On the other hand, the Php186.89
Million Chainage 5340-Chainage
9900 is a 4.56 kilometer road
concreting project targeted to be
complete on May 30, 2019. As
of October 25, 2019, it has an
accomplishment 41.54%, which
covers a 1-kilometer 1 land
PCCP, embankment, and roadway
excavation.
The Chainage 9900-Chainage
15080 worth Php186.595
Million is a 5.18-kilometer
road concreting project with
a physical accomplishment
of 47.88% that represents the
concreting of 1.8 kilometer 1-lane
PCCP, embankment, subgrade
preparation as well as laying of
aggregate base course. The target
date of its completion is on April
3, 2019.
Among the major reasons cited
in the delay for the completion
of the projects include inclement
weather occurring in the area, lack
of manpower, and the source of
aggregates, which is far from the
project site.
The Road Widening Surallah-Lake Sebu-Maitum Road
K1753+000 - K1754+000 project in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
The Upgrading of Surallah-Lake Sebu-Maitum Chainage
840 - Chainage 3100 project in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

7. October - December 2018 | Regional Development Updates | 7
RSC XII spearheads 7th
Data Dissemination
and Research Utilization Forum
By: Fatima Hadji Salik Mohammadsha, PSA XII
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – The Regional
Statistics Committee (RSC)
XII spearheaded the conduct
of the 7th
Data Dissemination
and Research Utilization Forum
(DDRUF) on October 19, 2018 at
SOCCSKSARGEN Hall, NEDA
XII Building in Koronadal City.
The activity was organized by
Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA) XII and hosted by
the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA)
XII.
As one of the highlights of the
observance of National Statistics
Month in the region, the 7th
DDRUF aimed to 1) disseminate
to development planners and
decision-makers the valuable
findings of various researches
and studies conducted in Region
XII/or its localities so they could
be utilized as useful inputs in
the formulation of more relevant
programs and policies that would
benefit the people of the region;
2) showcase the usefulness of
statistics as a powerful tool in
research; and 3) provide a venue
to strengthen the linkage between
the academe/research institutions
and Philippine Statistical System
(PSS) as active partners in
enhancing policy users of research
findings and recommendations.
Eight (8) technical papers were
presented in the forum. Two (2)
from Southern Christian College
(SCC), two (2) from PSA XII
and one (1) paper each from DA
XII, Notre Dame of Kidapawan
College (NDKC), Notre Dame of
Marbel University (NDMU), and
Notre Dame of Midsayap College
(NDMC).
Papers presented were the
following: (1) Educational
Challenges and Coping
Mechanisms of Muslim Mothers
in the Armed Conflict - Affected
Areas in Sustaining the Needs of
Their Schooling Children (Evelyn
A. Lopez, Ed.D. - NDMC); (2)
Corporate Practice of Private
Higher Educational Institutions
(Jennifer L. Seridon - NDMU);
(3) Predicting the Vote of College
Students on the Adoption of a
Federal Form of Government
(Blenn B. Nimer - NDKC); (4)
Assessment on the Compliance
with the Department of Tourism
Standards of Hotel Establishments
in Cotabato Province (Noel D.
Marcelo - SCC); (5) Women
Behind Bars: Stories of
Incarcerated Women in Prison
Without Wall, North Cotabato
District Jail (Meljane Gladybest
L. Rosalejos - SCC); (6) Regional/
Provincial Rice Production
Competitiveness Assessment in
Region 12 (Angelita F. Abrazado
- DA XII); (7) How Far will
Your Peso Go? Results of the
September 2018 CPI (Ma. Eileen
A. Berdeprado - PSA XII and (8)
Spatial Analytics (Edward Donald
F. Eloja - PSA XII).
An open forum ensued after each
session. About 50 participants
from Regional Line Agencies
(RLAs), LGUs and the academe
attended the activity.
Photo: PSA XII

8. 8 | Regional Development Updates | October - December 2018
RDC XII enjoins the Provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat
and Sarangani to establish Malaria elimination hubs
By: Evie A. Cabulanan, NEDA XII
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – Regional Development
Council (RDC) XII passed
Resolution No. 118, series of
2018, enjoining the provinces
of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,
and Sarangani to establish
malaria elimination hubs in
their respective areas. The
resolution was passed during
the Council’s 63rd
Regular
Meeting on September 20, 2018
at the SOCCSKSARGEN Hall,
NEDA XII Building, Regional
Government Center, Koronadal
City.
Of the four provinces in
SOCCKSARGEN Region,
only South Cotabato Province
has established its malaria
elimination hub as reported by the
Department of Health XII during
the 3rd
quarter meeting of Regional
Social Development Committee
XII on September 6, 2018 in
Koronadal City.
The passage of a local (provincial)
resolution and the support of local
government units are essential for
the establishment of the malaria
elimination hub since it will be
operated by the province.
The establishment of the said
hub is consistent with the
country’s commitment to the
Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria
Alliance (APLMA) to declare
the country as malaria free by
2030. Of the total 81 provinces in
the Philippines, 42 were already
declared malaria free, while 32
provinces are in the various stages
of elimination.
A malaria elimination hub is
established to address the need for
areas in the stage or approaching
the stage of elimination to develop
a surveillance and response
system designed to detect all
malaria cases, both within
the area and emanating from
outside. The hub assures that the
malaria cases are assessed and
managed correctly, investigated
clinically and epidemiologically,
foci classified, and responded
accordingly.
The hub also supports the health
agenda of ending the epidemic
of malaria and is consistent with
Chapter 10 of the Philippine/
Regional Development Plan (P/
RDP), 2017-2022 on accelerating
human capital development.
Wikipedia defines malaria as
a mosquito-borne infectious
disease affecting humans and
other animals caused by parasitic
single-celled micro-organisms
with the following symptoms like
fever, tiredness, vomiting and
headaches.
SOV 2018 Regional Search
Committee Chairperson and
NEDA XII Regional Director
Teresita Socorro C. Ramos
reported on the results of the
search for National Outstanding
Volunteers. Region XII submitted
nine (9) nominees. The National
Search Committee granted 9
volunteers from all over the
country, with the National
Outstanding Volunteer Award
(NOVA).) Of the nine national
awardees, two came from Region
XII and these are Mr. Kenjave
Mark T. Parlero and Dr. Roel Z.
Cagape for the individual youth
and adult categories, respectively.
Further, the members were also
informed that Cotabato City was
declared as the Safest City in
the Philippines by the Philippine
National Police based on crime
statistics, as announced by Mayor
Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi
in her presentation of the city’s
milestones, good practices and
investment prospects during the
said meeting.
The meeting ended with 34
resolutions passed, which include
the creation of the Regional
Research and Development
and Innovation Committee as
an Affiliate Committee of the
Council.
RDC XII holds ... from page 5

9. October - December 2018 | Regional Development Updates | 9
Alabel, Sarangani – The
Sarangani Provincial Jail has
received two awards from The
Provincial Jail Employees
Association of the Philippines
(PJEAP).
The Provincial Jail was
recognized as one of the Top 10
Most Outstanding Provincial Jails
of the Philippines, and the other
was for OIC Provincial Warden
Manuel Sales Jr. as one of the Top
10 Most Outstanding Provincial
Jail Employees of the Philippines.
The awarding rites was held on
December 3, 2018 in Muntinlupa
City.
During the flag ceremony on
December 10, 2018 at the
Provincial Capitol, the Sarangani
Provincial Jail personnel were
lauded by Executive Assistant
to the Governor Cesario Cagas,
Assistant Department Head
Sittiehawa Marohomsalic, and
Capitol employees.
The inherent structure of the jail
and the management played a
big role in winning the award
especially the full support of
Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon
which the evaluators had noted.
Evaluators were composed of
the PJEAP and in coordination
with the Bureau of Corrections in
Manila. They were the ones who
granted the award.
Explaining their edge from other
jails, Sales said: “Tayo lang
ang jail na may penal farm for
additional support sa mga preso,
and also the record speaks.”
(We are the only jail with penal
farm for additional support for the
inmates)
“Nakikita na tayo ang may record
na zero drugs ang ating provincial
jail at zero din ang eskapo
compared doon sa other jails.
Also, yung humane na condition
ng mga preso, hindi naman sila
pinapabayaan. In terms na may
sakit, sinusuportahan naman tayo
ng Provincial Health Office,”
Sales pointed out.
(Over zero records on drugs is
acknowledged and the provincial
jail has no escapees compared
with other jails….we treat our
inmates humanely, we don’t
neglect them. When they are
sick, we are being supported by
the Provincial Health Office who
attends to them.)
The Provincial Health Office has
been holding regular checkup for
inmates resulting in less cases of
illness.
Sales has been running the
Sarangani Provincial Jail for
four years and he observed the
improvements. The perimeter
fence was added with a secondary
fence.
With the help of Provincial Social
Welfare and Development Office,
some inmates had availed of
training and literacy programs of
the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority XII.
Inmates also do not have to worry
about their families because there
are programs that would help
in supporting them. “Yung mga
bilanggo pa ang nagpapadala ng
pera doon sa mga mahal nila sa
buhay, at iyan ay in-evaluate lahat
ng ating mga evaluators. So ayun
ang mga naging bases nila,” Sales
said.
(The inmates are the ones who are
sending money to their loved ones
instead. These are all evaluated by
the evaluators. So these are their
bases.)
Sales thanked Governor Solon,
because “kung hindi dahil sa
kanya ay hindi din naman natin
makukuha ang award na ito. Sa
kanyang leadership, palagi niya
tayong pinagsasabihan sa mga
kamalian natin at sa kanyang mga
advice, ginagawa natin kung ano
iyong dapat baguhin,” and that
improved the jail’s system.
(Had it not been for Governor
Solon, there is no way we can get
this award. Under his leadership,
we are often admonished us when
we commit mistakes; and through
his advice, we act on the things
that should be changed.)
Sarangani Provincial Jail receives national awards
By: Donna Mahusay, Sarangani Communications Service

10. 10 | Regional Development Updates | October - December 2018
SOCCSKSARGEN
Regional
Development
Council Sectoral
Committees Identify
Top 5 Projects for
Implementation in
CY 2020
By: Apollo Y. Manlawe, NEDA XII-DRD
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – The four (4) Sectoral
Committees of Regional
Development Council (RDC)
XII identified their top 5
projects in the region during
the Consultation-Workshop
on the Updating of CY 2020
Annual Investment Program
(AIP) on October 11, 2018 at
SOCCSKSARGEN Hall, NEDA
XII Building, Carpenter Hill,
Koronadal City.
To be considered in the top 5, the
projects must have a regionwide
impact which covers at least 2
provinces; implementable in CY
2020 or beyond; must address
issues/challenges of the sector
and contribute to the attainment
of the overarching goals of the
plan towards inclusive growth
and poverty alleviation; and
supportive of the AmBisyon Natin
2040, Sustainable Development
Goals/Agenda 2030, President’s
0 to 10 point Socioeconomic
agenda, the priority strategies
of the region’s Regional
Development Plan, 2017-2022,
the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction, Paris
Agreement and National Security
Plan, 2017-2022.
Still considered as a priority of the
Social Sector is the establishment
of the SOCCSKSARGEN
Regional Hospital in Surallah,
South Cotabato. Other priorities
included human development
centers, particularly regional
skills and DSWD training
centers; and the establishment of
South Cotabato State College in
Surallah, substitute Home Care
for Women, and IP Schools in the
region.
The Governance and Institutions
Development Sector considered
the programs and projects on
Enhanced Persons Deprived
of Liberty (PDL) Safekeeping
and Development Services;
Construction of the 4-storey PSA
Building; programs for peace
and development; Operation and
Intelligence Services on Law
Enforcement, Crime Prevention,
and Control Programs; and Fire
Prevention and Emergency
Management Program.
The Economic Sector proposed
the Department of Agriculture
Banner Programs (Rice, Corn,
HVCC, Livestock, Organic
Agriculture and Halal); Halal
Industry Program; Development
of Aquaculture Program (Milkfish,
Tilapia, White Shrimp, Seaweeds
and Shellfish); Accelerated
Coconut Planting and Replanting
Program; and the Expanded
National Greening Program
(ENGP) and Lawin Forest and
Biodiversity Protection System.
Topping the investment program
of the Infrastructure and Utilities
Development Sector were
the Water Resources Projects
(Kabulnan 2 Multipurpose
Irrigation and Power Project and
Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation
Project Phase II); Inter-Intra and
By-Pass Road Projects; Ports and
Airport Development Projects;
Roads Leveraging Linkages of
Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT)
and Tourism Road Infrastructure
Project Prioritization Criteria
(TRIPC) Projects; and Farm-to-
Market Roads.

11. October - December 2018 | Regional Development Updates | 11
Regional Development Council XII
Resolutions Passed
12 December 2018
Cotabato City

12. 12 | Regional Development Updates | October - December 2017