12 Beat

07/10/2026

DAVAO CITY — Two livelihood beneficiaries from Region XII earned national recognition at the 2026 National Kabuhayan Awards on Oct. 6, showcasing how government assistance transforms local micro-enterprises into self-reliant ventures.

The Tinalon Farmers Association of Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, placed second runner-up in the Group Category for its Coffee Processing and Marketing Project.

The 174-member association previously received 1.56 million pesos in total funding from the Department of Labor and Employment Integrated Livelihood Program. It allowed them to acquire post-harvest, roasting, and packaging equipment that expanded its reach across Mindanao and Visayas.

In the Individual Category, Johnny Narciso Nambong of Kidapawan City, secured a spot among the top five national finalists.

Nambong used a 2024 DOLE assistance package of 29,899 pesos in sewing machinery and materials to scale his home-based dressmaking enterprise into JNN Events Management Services. His expanded business recorded 2 million pesos in sales and 943,906.67 pesos in net income.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino commended the awardees during the ceremony, emphasizing that effective state support must foster independence and enterprise growth rather than reliance on aid.

"The best form of assistance is assistance that does not create dependence," Tolentino said.

"The best assistance gives the people the capacity to stand on their own, earn with integrity, employ others, and eventually help other Filipinos rise."

The regional delegation was led by DOLE XII Regional Director Imelda F. Gatinao and Assistant Regional Director Raymond Fel F. Sajor.

During the event, DOLE Region XII was also cited as the country's top-performing region in implementing both the DILP and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers program.

(Photo courtesy of DOLE Region XII - Soccsksargen)

07/10/2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Notre Dame of Dadiangas University President Bro. Manuel de Leon warned Wednesday of potential criminal charges over broadcast and online statements that he said defamed him and university leadership.

De Leon directly cited local media personality Jun Pulido of Pacman Radio during an Oct. 7 address, demanding a retraction and public apology regarding reports broadcast on air and published on "The Bullet News" online platform.

“Please be more discerning in your reporting, Mr. Jun Pulido. You crossed the line,” De Leon said. “You have violated my rights by spreading lies. You insulted the NDDU Board of Trustees as if they can be bribed.”

De Leon highlighted an online photograph featuring a rally participant holding a sign that read “Father Angelo Padre Damaso,” stating the graphic and accompanying text constitute personal defamation and slander.

“We cannot allow the discourse to go down as low,” De Leon said. “Restorative justice demands that they admit the damage they inflicted on the victims. They have to take the consequences of their actions.”

Pacman Radio is owned by National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao has not announced whether he will divest his stake in Ignite Power, a partnership between MP Holdings Inc. and Primelectric Holdings Inc., following his government appointment.

De Leon, who co-convenes the Protect SOCOTECO II Coalition, is one of the leading opponents of the proposed Joint Venture Agreement between South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative Inc. and Ignite Power.

07/10/2026

PASIG CITY — The Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc. (CLAFI) met with Department of Education officials and Philippine Business for Social Progress representatives Oct. 6 to coordinate classroom repair efforts following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Sarangani.

Held at the DepEd Complex, the meeting focused on aligning government and private sector resources to rebuild safe, resilient learning spaces for affected students.

Attending for the Alcantara Foundation were board adviser Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, President Cecile A. Dominguez-Yujuico, and Executive Director Ryan S. Vidanes.

They joined PBSP Executive Director Elvin Uy and DepEd officials, including Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo Bartolome, directors Jess Abalos, Miguel Lima, and Hero Hernandez, and infrastructure engineers Levy Tatad and Ive Tambis.

Participants agreed to establish joint protocols for identifying high-priority infrastructure damage, pooling immediate rehabilitation funds, and soliciting additional private sector support.

The initiative aims to surpass basic structural repairs by incorporating disaster-resilient building standards tailored to future seismic risks in the region.

Foundation leadership reaffirmed its long-term commitment to education recovery in Sarangani through continued cross-sector partnerships.

| source: Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc.

06/10/2026

ALEOSAN, Cotabato — Environmental officials released a Philippine tarsier back into its natural habitat in Barangay Tomado on Oct. 4, a day after a local farmer rescued the small primate from his agricultural land.

Randy Malinao discovered the tarsier on his farm around 3 p.m. Oct. 3. Recognizing the primate’s ecological value, Malinao turned it over to environmental authorities for health evaluation rather than capturing or harming it.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Midsayap led the rescue and release operation.

Wildlife officials assessed the nocturnal primate to confirm it was uninjured and fit for return to the forest.

CENRO officials commended Malinao’s prompt action, noting that public cooperation remains critical for regional biodiversity conservation.

The Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta) is classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Environmental authorities urged local residents to continue reporting wildlife sightings to ensure immediate protection and release efforts across Cotabato.

| source: DENR Soccsksargen

06/10/2026

ARAKAN, Cotabato — A critically endangered Philippine Eagle was found dead from electrocution Oct. 4 in Barangay Libertad, Arakan, Cotabato, after making contact with a power line, wildlife officials said.

A necropsy conducted by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) confirmed that electrical shock caused the bird's death, noting severe burn marks on its left wing and right talon.

However, examination of the carcass revealed two air-gun bullets inside the body, including a recent left-wing wound estimated to be just days old, indicating the bird was hunted shortly before it died.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) in Matalam verified the initial report alongside municipal environmental officers before surrendering the carcass to PEF.

Maria Elvira V. Lumayag, DENR-12 OIC regional executive director, called on the public to help safeguard the nation's fauna following the incident.

"Our team through CENRO Matalam has already conducted an investigation in coordination with the Philippine Eagle Foundation," Lumayag said.

"In light of this unfortunate event, we urge the public to assist us in protecting not only our beloved 'Haring Ibon' but also all wildlife species that are critically endangered in the country."

The death follows the Sept. 27 rescue of a 5-year-old Philippine Eagle in neighboring Magpet, North Cotabato. That bird, which also suffered air-gun pellet wounds, remains under clinical monitoring at Doc Bayani’s Wellness Clinic in Davao City.

Environmental officials said the back-to-back shooting incidents highlight ongoing human threats to the national bird.

Officials urged citizens to immediately report injured, distressed, or dead wildlife to the DENR or local government authorities to assist emergency conservation and investigation efforts.

| source: DENR Soccsksargen

06/10/2026

| 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗬 𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗟 ("𝗝𝗘𝗙𝗙 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗦")

The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII) warns the public against an unauthorized individual identifying himself as “Jeff Morales.” This person is falsely claiming to represent DA-RFO XII Regional Executive Director John B. Pascual to solicit funds and promise agricultural grants.

DA-RFO XII clarifies that "Jeff Morales" is not affiliated with the agency. DA-RFO XII does not solicit funds or charge fees for its official programs, nor does it conduct official transactions through private accounts or third-party intermediaries.

The public is strongly advised not to engage with this individual. Please report any contact or information regarding these fraudulent activities immediately to DA-RFO XII at (083) 228-3413, email [email protected], or via Facebook at Agri Tayo Soccsksargen.

| via Agri Tayo Soccsksargen

05/10/2026

The Department of Tourism regional office in Soccsksargen concluded the 4th Mindanao Tourism Expo on Sunday, ending a four-day event aimed at positioning the island as a unified, world-class destination.

The Department of Tourism regional office in Soccsksargen concluded the 4th Mindanao Tourism Expo on Sunday, ending a four-day event aimed at position

05/10/2026

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A University of Kansas doctoral student is integrating scientific research with community outreach to conserve threatened amphibian populations and remaining old-growth forests in the southern Philippines.

Kier Mitchel Pitogo, a graduate student in ecology and evolutionary biology, conducts field research in the Mount Busa range on the island of Mindanao. His work focuses on documenting local frog species, assessing biodiversity loss, and evaluating habitat degradation caused by deforestation and agricultural expansion.

Beyond biological sampling, Pitogo collaborates with local indigenous communities, municipal governments, and conservation organizations. He uses science communication to translate ecological findings into regional policy initiatives and community-led conservation strategies.

"Translating scientific data into accessible information for local leaders and residents is essential for long-term habitat preservation," Pitogo said, noting that public engagement drives local policy decisions.

His research contributes to the KU Biodiversity Institute's international efforts to document global amphibian diversity. Pitogo plans to continue mapping herpetofauna distribution across southern Mindanao to identify priority zones for habitat protection.

(Read the full interview in the comments)

05/10/2026

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat — The Department of Tourism regional office in Soccsksargen concluded the 4th Mindanao Tourism Expo on Sunday, ending a four-day event aimed at positioning the island as a unified, world-class destination.

Co-hosted by the Sultan Kudarat provincial government, the expo ran from Oct. 2 to 4 at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Gymnasium under the theme "One Mindanao, Endless Wonders."

The event brought together tourism officials, local government units, micro, small, and medium enterprises, and industry stakeholders from Mindanao's six tourism regions, as well as representatives from Luzon and the Visayas.

"MTEX is expected to provide opportunities for tourism businesses to connect and create travel packages that link different parts of Mindanao," DOT XII Regional Director Nelia Arina said, noting that the event strengthens regional tourism circuits.

Key events included a three-day travel and trade exhibit featuring local goods, tour packages, and regional products. On Oct. 2, organizers staged "Weaves of Mindanao," a cultural fashion presentation highlighting indigenous textiles like Tnalak and Inaul woven into contemporary designs.

Business-to-Business matching sessions held Oct. 3 at Carlito's Hotel connected Mindanao tourism sellers with buyers from Luzon and the Visayas. Officials said the meetings aimed to secure nationwide partnerships and boost inter-island travel.

Opening ceremonies were led by DOT Undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin, Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, and Arina. Delegates completed the expo on Sunday with a cross-learning tour of key tourism destinations across Soccsksargen.

05/10/2026

KORONADAL CITY — The provincial government is expanding local coffee production and targeting high-value specialty markets through community nurseries, crop diversification, and inter-agency farm training.

Under its Development on Agriculture Growth Yearning for the Active Welfare of South Cotabato (DAGYAW) program, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist is establishing community-based coffee nurseries, including a 5,000-seedling Arabica facility in Upper Sepaka, Surallah.

Located 800 meters above sea level, the high-altitude site offers optimal growing conditions for specialty Arabica crops.

"At present, there are at least 2,650 areas planted with coffee covering a total of 1,236.9 hectares, with production reaching 1,011.45 metric tons," said Marites Gumbao, provincial focal person for coffee and cacao.

The initiative promotes crop diversification by encouraging growers to convert suitable corn plots into permanent coffee plantations.

Through municipal and city agriculture offices, provincial staff are profiling interested growers and providing training in production management, post-harvest processing, and quality control.

The province currently supports 38 farmers' cooperatives and associations comprising 2,560 members.

Gumbao said the province's long-term strategy focuses on improving crop quality to enter competitive specialty markets while supporting a growing provincial coffee tourism sector.

Local agricultural officials are urging growers to join upcoming industry forums and capacity-building workshops to expand market linkages.

(Photo courtesy of Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-South Cotabato)