After 51 days of intensive and mind boggling LGOO II Center Training for the Visayas-Mindanao Cluster from August 30 to October 19, 2016 held at Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government IX welcomes back the 50^th Batch of LGOO II trainees known as Sidlawan “Shining Gold” Batch as they returned home pocketing not only knowledge and honed skills but as well as pride for the region.  

On a welcome ceremony arranged for the trainees of Region IX on Monday, October 24, Glendale Abao Dela Cruz, Araceli Aure Naciongayo, Lourdes Cinco, Alvin Rex Lucero, Norman Magtortor, Judilloid Ovalo, Baidelyn Zainal, Cathrine Herrera and Lea Tan were greeted with glee and warmth by the entire Regional staff headed by Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil, Assistant Regional Director Pedro G. Cuevas Jr., city and provincial directors, division chiefs and the rest of the regional office staff.

 “Some personnel are asking what makes the Sidlawan batch so special that we have to convene the entire Region Office and invite all the provincial directors and city directors so they will be able to join us in the celebration for the success, the accomplishments, of our trainees” Regional Director Abutazil said on his message. “When I heard all of you pass, I was very happy. When I heard that out of nine trainees, four of you received awards, that made me double happy” he added.

Amid the hard life of being a trainee, against the hurdles that they need to undergo to be able to overcome their shortcomings, four of them were able to stand out among the rest. Alvin Rex Lucero reaped the best speaker award, Judilloid Ovalo got the Tech Savvy award, Araceli Naciongayo for the Academic Excellence Award for Module 3: Assessment of LGus Operations and Performance and lastly, Glendale Dela Cruz landed at the tenth top spot for Academics.  

When asked about their experience, Lucero said “You will have a roller coaster of emotions. You will be tested, you will fail, you will be shaken, your focus will be distracted, but there are lessons”.

Moreover, according to Dela Cruz, the training was not easy. “You will be tested in all aspects of your life” she said. Surviving long days, early wake up calls and late nights, the pressure building among everybody, the expectations and the various surge of emotions really required sheer determination.  But amid the difficulties, the friendships that have been created and fostered along with having the regional management as a strong support system made everything bearable. “We are very thankful to the management kay supportive kayo mo sa amo. Happy kayo mi na nahatagan mi ato nga chance”.

They extend their heartfelt gratitude to the people who are behind their success. From the facilitators who imparted a great deal of their knowledge in the modules that they passed through, to their mentors, their colleagues, to their loved ones and most especially to the regional management whose support never wavered from start until the end of their training.

“We learnt a lot dili lang sa utok maski sa behavior. I think nag improve nagyud mi karon. And I hope mapakita na namo sa inyoha and you will be prouder of us not just [for] the awards na nakuha namo diadto, but because I can say that we become better persons after 51 days“ teary-eyed Dela Cruz expressed.

To the person who is most proud that his children has exceeded beyond the expectations of the region, RD Abutazil extend his congratulations to all the trainees. “Hopefully, it won’t be the last. The real battle will be won in the field” he said.

After passing the training, the trainees are set to go for a field immersion to their respective assigned LGUs.