Showing posts with label Sultan Kudarat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sultan Kudarat. Show all posts

Monday, April 1, 2024

A New Dawn in Healthcare: Sultan Kudarat Prepares to Open Its College of Medicine


CREDIT: PIA Sultan Kudarat 

In the heart of Mindanao, the Sultan Kudarat province is poised to make history. The Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) College of Medicine will soon open its doors, forever transforming the face of medical education and healthcare in the province and beyond. As Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu recently announced, the expected year-end inauguration of the medical school will usher in a new era of opportunities for the local community and the healthcare system at large.



The call for a unique College of Medicine in the Sultan Kudarat province has been answered. The announcement by Governor Mangudadatu about the impending opening of the SKSU College of Medicine has created a wave of anticipation and excitement. This development promises to broaden the scope of educational opportunities and bolster the healthcare system, not just within the Sultan Kudarat province, but nationwide.



The journey towards the establishment of the SKSU College of Medicine has been a carefully crafted one. With House Bill (HB) 6771, or An Act Establishing a College of Medicine in Sultan Kudarat State University in Tacurong City, having already passed its second reading at the 19th Congress, the dream of having a medical school in the province is closer than ever to becoming a reality. 



Governor Mangudadatu reiterated the provincial government's dedication to empowering the youth and providing them with the necessary support to become active contributors to nation-building. The establishment of the College of Medicine will undoubtedly serve as a significant stepping stone towards this goal.


The initiative has also garnered support from the Senate, with Senator Imee Marcos emphasizing the importance of addressing the shortage of medical field workers during her recent visit to the Sultan Kudarat province. The Senator highlighted that investing in the youth through the SKSU is an investment in the future.


The House Committee on Ways and Means recently approved tax provisions for HB 6771. Representative JC Abalos, the principal sponsor of the bill, underscored the alignment of the initiative with the legislators' commitment to enhancing access to health services, particularly in rural and remote areas.


The proposed legislation also includes provisions that would facilitate the importation of medical books, equipment, and instruments for educational purposes. This move will be instrumental in ensuring that the SKSU College of Medicine is equipped with the necessary resources for effective teaching and learning.



The bill also encourages donations for educational purposes. All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions used directly and exclusively for educational purposes by the college will be exempt from the donor's tax, stimulating more contributions towards the establishment and operation of the medical school.



Following the approval of the tax provisions, Representative Bai Rihan Sakaluran expressed confidence that they are one step closer to realizing the dream of having a learning institution tasked with honing future medical professionals in Sultan Kudarat.



The establishment of the SKSU College of Medicine signifies more than just an investment in education. It is a testament to the priority given to the health and well-being of the people of Sultan Kudarat and the Soccsksargen region.



In preparation for the opening of the new College of Medicine, Governor Mangudadatu, Sakaluran, Abalos, and SKSU officials recently visited the University of the Philippines-Manila (UPM) in a benchmarking activity. The visit aimed to identify best practices, explore innovative teaching methods, and discuss future collaborations and partnerships.



Once approved, the SKSU College of Medicine will be the first in the province and the third in the Soccsksargen region. This landmark development heralds a new dawn in healthcare for the people of Sultan Kudarat, promising to shape a future where quality healthcare and education are accessible to all.

Friday, March 8, 2024

A Triumph of Tenacity: The Tale of Sultan Kudarat's Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries


SOURCE: PIA Soccsksargen

In the heart of the Soccsksargen region, KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, a profound change is taking place. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has recently distributed land titles to 1,371 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) in the province of Sultan Kudarat. These land titles are not just pieces of paper, they are the tangible fruits of hard labor and patience. The ARBs see this as a blessing, expressing immense gratitude to the government for their unwavering support.


Under the umbrella of the "Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling" or SPLIT project, the DAR has made monumental strides. Their commitment to agrarian reform is more than just lip service. The recent ceremonial turnover of the e-titles to ARBs at the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair in Sultan Kudarat is a testament to the agency's proactive approach.


Pababa Bansil, a farmer from Barangay Kapaya in Bagumbayan town, mirrors the sentiments of his fellow beneficiaries. Having tilled the land for at least 33 years, he sees the land titles as a godsend. Thanks to the government's initiative, Bansil is now free from the burden of unpaid taxes and emboldened to improve his rice and corn farms.


For Ernesto Forro, a 66-year-old resident of Barangay Kinayao, Bagumbayan, the ownership of an individual land title is a dream come true. His livelihood, like Bansil's, lies in farming. Having been a land tenant for at least 30 years, Forro is now reaping the sweet fruits of his labor. His gratitude towards the government is palpable.


Bansil and Forro are just two among the 1,371 ARBs who have recently received their e-titles from the DAR. This monumental act has created ripples of change, breathing a new life into the farming community of Sultan Kudarat.


Abdullah Balindong, provincial agrarian reform program officer of DAR-Sultan Kudarat, sheds light on the SPLIT project. The total parcelization of titles covers a vast expanse of 3,177.4610 hectares. This initiative aims to speed up subdivisions of the Collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award.


The SPLIT project isn't just about parcelization. Balindong emphasizes that the project also bolsters the security of tenure and strengthens the property rights of ARBs. This is a powerful step towards creating a more equitable land ownership structure in Sultan Kudarat.


The national government under the Marcos administration has taken a strong stance towards improving the lives of farmers. The distribution of land titles is a part of this steadfast commitment, an effort to liberate them from long-time debt and poverty.


The distribution of land titles is more than just a legal procedure. It's a symbol of change, a beacon of hope, and a testament to the government's commitment to agrarian reform. For the ARBs in Sultan Kudarat, this is a new dawn, a fresh start.


While this is a significant milestone, the journey of agrarian reform is far from over. As we celebrate this victory, we also look forward to more sustainable and inclusive development in Sultan Kudarat and beyond. The tale of these 1,371 beneficiaries is just the beginning. The future promises to be even brighter, filled with more such tales of tenacity and triumph.

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