Regional Updates NSO Names New Director of SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Office The National Statistics Office announced March 6 the Designation Order No. 2008-077, naming Atty. Maqtahar L. Manulon as the new Director for Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) effective April 1, 2008.  The new chief takes over the duties and responsibilities of former Director Jaime S. Paller, who is now taking the chair of NSO Region XI. The turn-over ceremony was held last April 3, 2008 in Bai Labi Hall of El Manuel Hotel and Restaurant, Cotabato City. The said event was witnessed by NSO top management led by Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta, her Executive Assistant Joseph P. Cajita, the three (3) Provincial Statistics Officers of the region.  Also present were lead officials of NSO ARMM--Regional Director Commando P. Pilimpinas (MNSA) and PSO Razulden A. Mangelen of NSO Maguindanao and senior staff from NSO ARMM and relatives and friends of the new chief.  Mr. Manulon is a mathematician, demographer, and a lawyer. His career began as a rank-and-file employee at NSO Zamboanga Provincial Office in 1989 and his career simply climbed up the ladder in big bold steps as a result of highly commendable performance.  This made him reached senior positions in the legal domain, human resources, and demography.  He has actively participated in numerous trainings in the areas of statistics, civil registration, information technology, development planning, organization and management, among others, which he acquired here and abroad. Drawing on his fairly decade extensive experience as Director of NSO IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) from January 2004 to March 2008, Atty. Manulon is high-spirited to oversee all aspects of the statistical and civil registration services in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region, specifically supervising, among other duties, organization's field offices and technical cooperation with allied agencies in the Provinces of Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. Taking pressure off from this new regional chief is his being a no stranger in Cotabato City.  Having married Bai Warda Lauban, a Cotabateña, and his service as Administrative Officer of NSO ARMM Regional Office and Provincial Statistics Officer of NSO Maguindanao prior to his shift to NSO Zamboanga City, makes his allegiance for the region to wheel even higher than he used to live through years then. Atty. Manulon had for long proven his competitive edge in successfully strengthening ties with local government officials and in establishing good working relationships with both the Muslim and Christian leaders in the region. An insight of a more performing, unified SOCCSKSARGEN region years from now is indeed not far from achieving. This new regional chief has all the capacities and commitment to breathe in fresh air and initiatives—geared up to open gates of opportunity for growth of each staff for higher productivity at an exemplary workplace.  From this quarter of the year onwards, with its new director,  NSO SOCCSKSARGEN takes its toll to meet the ever changing needs of the serving public in a more classified and  timely manner. Hail and wishes to the new director. Party Trio Highlights the Turn-Over Ceremony Messages and best wishes filled the Bai Labi Hall of El Manuel Hotel and Restaurant in Cotabato City as colleagues, family and friends of incoming and outgoing Regional Director of NSO Region XII gathered together for the aptly named event "Party Trio: Send-off and Welcome Party for RD Paller and RD Manulon/Turn-over Ceremony." Held last April 3, 2008, the ceremony marked the official turn-over of responsibilities and duties to Atty. Maqtahar L. Manulon as the new chief of NSO Region XII. The well attended event was graced with the presence of honorable NSO Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta and her Executive Assistant Joseph P. Cajita; Provincial Statistics Officers (PSO) of Region XII: PSO Rafael T. Sambrano of NSO Sultan Kudarat; PSO Ruben D. Abaro, Jr. of NSO South Cotabato and Sarangani; and OIC-PSO Belinda R. Penuela of NSO Cotabato; and colleagues from NSO ARMM and Maguindanao: RD Commando P. Pilimpinas (MNSA) and    PSO Razulden A. Mangelen. Also present for the occasion were Atty. Manulon’s in-laws, friends and his better half, Bai Warda Lauban-Manulon. The handing over of the symbolic key from the outgoing to incoming Regional Director was the highlight of the ceremony. RD Paller was more than happy to see that his successor is a known competitive leader. In his own words, “This should not be seen as cutting off ties and camaraderie with former staff but a symbolic event of entrusting them an opportunity to work under a new leadership whom I believe is capable of handling NSO SOCCSKSARGEN with utmost competency…” Accepting the challenge, Atty. Manulon vowed to continue guarding and preserving the ideals of NSO with his new NSO family. In the part of NSO XII staff, they pledged commitment to the new RD. After the exchange of speeches, it was Administrator Ericta’s message on commitment and leadership summarized the very essence of the ceremony. On a clear onset, the gist of the message focused on aligning commitment and dedication -- being the key elements for a successful organization. In a less formal but straightforward tone, RD Pilimpinas, PSO Sambrano, OIC-PSO Penuela and AO IV Jennifer M. Omictin gave their unreserved best wishes and messages to the two RDs. It was then followed by a tribute for the outgoing NSO XII RD. The NSO XII staff also prepared special gift and token for the incoming and outgoing RDs. After the tears and laughter, it was time to end the ceremony with the closing remarks given PSO Abaro. His message highlighted the importance of sustaining a commitment for a united and performing region. Sumptuous lunch was served after the ceremony.